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2002

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

FORECAST

(31st Annual Edition)

Written By:
Brian Brakeman

The High School Wrestling Forecast (commonly referred to as the Brakeman Report) was provided to the The Ohio Wrestling Sport Page (A web site dedicated to Ohio Wrestling, supported by the Wrestling Community in the State of Ohio).

Copyright 2002, Reproduction of this material for profit without written consent is prohibited.

DIVISION III

103 #

Projected Champion:  LEVI WYANT (TRIAD)

Top Contenders

This is a much more talented and experienced field than was present last year.  It possesses two returning placers, several other returning qualifiers, and some excellent newcomers.  There are fine wrestlers at all four districts, which should make for a well-balanced bracket sheet.  The last five winners have all exited from the Northeast District, but there are no guarantees in that direction this year.  Last year’s winner had some narrow escapes on his way to the title, this year’s champ will likely have to overcome the same kind of obstacles.

Despite two returning place winners (Schaefer and maybe Clemans), state qualifier LeJeune, and two great freshmen (Scaletta and Tucker), I’ve chosen a wrestler who didn’t get out of his sectional last year.  Wyant, after a fabulous regular season, lost a sectional semi-final heartbreaker to the eventual sectional and district champ.  He then was disqualified in the consolation semi-finals for an illegal slam.  This year he won the “A” Classic, Graham, and was 2^nd at Wadsworth, losing only to the exceptional Compton.  Impressively, he won a major decision, 10-2, over McCahan who was 3^rd at this weight class last year.  He should dominate his district and secure a good state pairing.  Next best in his area may be Porter, but the freshman Mages is also excellent.

The powerhouse district is at Waite.  I’m not sure I shouldn’t have picked Schaefer who was the district champ last year and finished 6^th in the state.  He had a late start to the season (often a positive) and has lost 7-5 to Scaletta.  I attributed some of that to rust after a long lay-off.  Clemans was 5^th last year, splitting two late season bouts with Schaefer.  However, rumors are rampant that Clemans may not wrestle for the remainder of the season, and that his very capable replacement, Lee, will take his place.  State qualifier LeJeune also returns and his recent resounding win at Clyde signals his high placement potential.  He was a bout from state placement last year, going 2-2 at Columbus.  The fourth spot belongs, in all likelihood, to Amburgey who was 5^th at the district level last year.  The excellent freshmen, Tinnel, Madden, and Schreiner are also possibilities.  The big issue is that Schaefer, LeJeune, Amburgey, Tinnel and Schreiner all compete in the same sectional.  One will not even reach the district level, and the pairings could also be skewed at Waite.

Scaletta was 4^th and 2^nd the last two years in the Junior High state tourney, losing to Lipp (more on him soon) by one point in last year’s final.  As mentioned, he holds a decision over Schaefer and was a strong 4^th at Brecksville.  He has finalist potential.  Keyes was injured at last year’s sectional and could not compete at the district level.  He would appear to be Scaletta’s only real challenger at Elyria Catholic.  The last two spots are wide open, with Mamaros (Beachwood) and Kertchan (Perry) other contenders beside the four other rated wrestlers at this district – Bill, Kemble, Gray, and Nagel.

The freshman, Tucker, stands out at Coshocton.  He won handily at Barnesville the OVAC, and Bellaire St. John and should be the class of this field.  Almost all of the rest of the top contenders here are from the Central District.  Riley and Minner are both strong and have low place possibilities, though that is not a high probability event.  A couple of dark horse contenders for state qualification are Wright (North Union) and Seidler (Monroe Central).

112 #

Projected Champion:  COREY OPFER (SANDUSKY ST. MARY)

Top Contenders

            There are eleven returning state qualifiers competing at this weight class – all but one of them having migrated up from 103#.  Despite all of that state experience I still see this as a battle between generations --a couple of seniors – Monsman and McIntyre  –  versus the two freshman sensations Opfer and Lipp.  That would seem to be the storyline, although two excellent OVAC wrestlers, Emery and Huffman, will also be top contenders.  I’ve chosen the winner at this weight class for the last nine years, but making it a full decade of correct choices will be a very difficult task.

In my mind the battle of generations will, in the main, fall to the side of the freshman.  Opfer, a state junior high champ, is an exceptional wrestler with far more strength than generally exhibited by one his age.  Should he follow in the footsteps of his older brothers, Jared and Drew, at least two records could be broken.  An Opfer victory would be the seventh year in a row one of the brothers would be a state champion tying the record of the Dernlan brothers who won titles in seven consecutive years from 1984-1990 (and eight of nine years).  It would also begin to put in jeopardy the record eleven state titles won by the DiSabato brothers.  That's because after Corey comes Troy, who may be the best one of them all.

However, an Opfer title will not come easily.  As mentioned in the first paragraph, this is a field with many returning state placers and qualifiers.  Opfer emerges from by far the easiest district.  It would be surprising if any of the other three qualifiers – whoever they happen to be – place at Columbus.  No one here has previous state experience, and so Opfer should enter the state meet as a district champion – almost always an advantage.

The Elyria Catholic District is loaded.  State champion Monsman returns and has fashioned a solid year of accomplishment.  He has been 2^nd at Solon, Wadsworth, and Mayfield despite battling some nagging injuries.  The sensational freshman Lipp has been as good as advertised.  The very first week of the season he defeated state champion Monsman to win at Solon, and then won championships at Riverside and Kenston, too.  A junior high state titlist he has wrestled some at 119# with equal success, such as a win over Division II state qualifier, Chad Kahn.  Don't overlook state qualifiers  Mosher and Cavalier.  They finished 2^nd and 3^rd at Richmond Hts. (behind Emery), but looked very tough.  Cavalier was 2^nd at Waite, while Mosher was a solid 4^th at the always strong Dies Tournament.  There are solid backups should the pairings or an upset foil one of the top quartet.

It will also be a terrific battle at Coshocton.  Defending district 112# champ Lucas Huffman returns with a 25-1 record (his only loss at 119#) and a raft of tournament titles including the giant OVAC championship.  State qualifier Emery took the title over Mosher and Cavalier at Richmond Hts., won at Union Local, and was 3^rd at the OVAC.  Last year  Monsman needed an escape in the 30-second period to edge Emery in the state quarter- finals.  McIntyre, of course, was 4^th in this district last year, but won three state battles (two of them very close) before losing to Monsman in the finals.  He has been at 119# a good part of this year.  State qualifier Ewing leads some impressive competitors in an effort to grab that fourth state ticket.  It’ll be a great competition at this weight class in Coshocton.

I’m not sure how good the Xenia boys will be.  State qualifier Robbe is undefeated with three tourney titles, and I’ve ranked him first at this district.  Last year Cavalier “bombed” him in the first round 12-2, and he then lost a heartbreaker, 8-6 in overtime, and was eliminated.  Eckhardt, a state qualifier, would seem to be next best, but there are plenty of opportunities for change here.

119 #

Projected Champion:  TANNER SHEARER (SANDUSKY ST. MARY)

Top Contenders

Another weight class with double-digit returning state qualifiers and four returning state placers.  Also a weight class with a number of compelling storylines.  Gambill, now a junior, has come into the last two state meets with 5 or 6 losses, and then wrestled his way to the finals each time.  Both times he lost, including last year’s heart wrenching 3-2 double overtime defeat.  I can recall only one other wrestler who was second his first two years and didn’t win a state title, and that was Mike Parson (2-2-3-3) who was never again a finalist.  Tierney is a two-time placer and one of the leaders of the always strong Martins Ferry team.  He and his twin brother have dominated competition along the river and placed four times.  Neither, however, has ever been a finalist.  Cottone was 6^th in Division I last year and is sensational with the legs, while Paparone, a Kenston transfer in 2000, is a returning placer and a key member of the heavily favored Chanel squad.

Despite all this my choice is the outstanding sophomore from Sandusky St. Mary, Tanner Shearer.  A transfer from Clyde, Shearer has dominated Division III competition and is currently undefeated.  He hammered Cottone the first week of the season, and has won at the Panther Invitational and the Boca Raton tourney in Florida.  Twice a junior high state place-winner, he seems to have found the perfect niche at St. Mary’s.  He faces a very strong field with some outstanding competitors, but has the mental and physical strength to prevail.

Shearer emerges from a competitive district.  State qualifier Chapa, who is 0-4 in state competition, had a terrible draw at Columbus last year – losing one point bouts to Gambill and defending state champ Tyler Scott.  Ford, now down at 119# should thrive at this weight class, while Herner, Steinmetz, and state qualifier Buckingham are also in the picture.  Factor in Resendez, Hale (Stryker), Cartee (Bucyrus), and Karnes/Suffel (Edgerton) and it could be a real donnybrook for that last qualifying spot.  Overall, 119# is one of the most competitive weight classes and this district will send four wrestlers, all of whom will be tough first-round match-ups.

At Coshocton Tierney will face very strong competition for the top spot.  Wickline, who considered going at 112# is very good.  Last year he beat McIntyre at both the sectional and district level, but lost to him in the state semi-finals, eventually finishing at strong 3^rd.  He has again fashioned an exceptional record this year, and has finalist potential.  Two-time state qualifier Wyse has never won a state bout despite out-standing regular season records.  He’ll rectify that situation this year and has solid placement potential.  This trio seems slightly above the rest of the field at Coshocton.  Again, as we saw at Waite, there will be a real struggle for the last qualifying spot.  In my mind Glasser and Navarra are the top two candidates.  Last year Navarra upset Wyse on a tiebreaker, but then quickly lost twice while Wyse won four consolation bouts to reach Columbus.  Glasser was a district semi-finalist last year, and has won at Shadyside this year.  State qualifier Prendes, Pacifico (Bellaire St. John) and Byers (Johnstown Monroe) are other possibilities.  The one to watch is Prendes who just moved down from 130#, and could be very strong once he adjusts to the weight.

As always, Gambill has lost some early season bouts – he was, for example, 4^th at Graham, but we have all learned that he is very good in February and March.  He has a very handy talent of winning close bouts – last year a one-pointer in the first round and overtime in the second – that deserted him only in the finals against Buzek.  Cottone, a transfer from Moeller, is great on top, and if you cannot defend legs he will turn you at will.  His bouts are often one-sided – he either wins by a lot or loses that same way.  State placer Rhodes and state qualifier Franz make up the top quartet at Xenia and it’s a powerful group.  Almost never can we say at any weight class in Division III that the Southwest District is the deepest and strongest of the four.  However, it’s true here.  Rhodes was a state semi-finalist last year finishing a strong 4^th .  Franz lost an overtime bout in the first round and then was quickly pinned by Tierney.  Hopefully the district pairings will be good  -- the top four come from two sectionals, but should upsets occur Howard,  Clum (Spencerville), Mitchell (Dixie) and Spohn (Cincinnati Hills Christian) are long-shot thoughts.

Paparone, 5^th last year, has wrestled a tough schedule, and is much improved this year, but this high quality field may make it tough for him to move up any higher on the awards podium.  He was 2^nd at North Canton and Solon, and 3^rd at Wadsworth.  Hamed was a back-up at CVCA last year, but has blossomed at Woodridge.  He has won the titles at Richmond Hts. and Hillsdale in impressive fashion.  Spencer is probably third best here and this trio is a bit ahead of everyone else.  Look for Taub, Ross, Palombo and Burrer to battle for the last qualifying spot.

125 #

Projected Champion:  JEFF JAGGERS (CHANEL)

Top Contenders

I first saw Jeff Jaggers as a seventh grader at the State Junior High School Tournament as he crushed four opponents on his way to the title.  It did not take any special insight to realize that I was seeing a wrestling prodigy.  He won again the next year in an even more dominating performance, and was wrestling the Chanel state placers even-up in the summer.  Last year he was one of two freshmen to win a state title (Deubel was the other) defeating the state placer Cavalier in the final.  This year he won at Solon, North Canton and Wadsworth crushing nearly every opponent.  His most impressive win was an 11-2 victory over the very tough Meissner, a wrestler who was 3^rd at the Ironman losing only to Agozzino, 6-5, in two overtimes.  Jaggers could end up as Ohio’s first six time state champion – a feat unlikely to be duplicated any time soon. 

This is not a particularly strong weight class and Jaggers, whose only close bout last year at Columbus was in the finals, may not have even that inconvenience this year.  Jaggers exits from by far the most powerful district.  Six of the top eight wrestlers will compete at Elyria Catholic and only four will make it to Columbus, and there is good depth even behind this top sextet.  My guess is that some of them (like Maglio) will migrate to the somewhat easier 130# class.  As it currently stands Caruso looks next best at both the district and state level.  He has been 2^nd at Solon, Riverside, and Kenston, losing very close bouts at the latter two venues.  However, Jaggers whipped him 14-4 at Solon.  Faist, a common opponent, defeated Caruso by two at Kenston, and lost 4-3 to Jaggers (his only close bout) at North Canton.  Spencer defeated O’Brien to win at Richmond Hts., and was an excellent 3^rd at Medina, losing only to Division I pick Enright and beating Borders, Kremer, Holler, and Tierney.  State qualifiers Maglio, Smith, and O’Brien are also here with the first named just down from 135#.  O’Brien does not look as sharp this year, and that could well be the result of being Gilmour’s only tough wrestler this year.  Smith beat him at Doylestown as did Spencer at Richmond Hts.  However, both bouts were close.  This six all have placement talent, but again, only four can qualify.  Johnson and Bernath could qualify out of any other district, while Shario (Garretsville), Morris (West Salem Northwestern) and Snyder (Chippewa) have little chance.

There are three returning state qualifiers at Xenia with Burroughs the best of the bunch.  He was one bout from placement last year, and should be on the awards stand Saturday evening this year.  He was runner-up at Madeira’s first appearance at the SWOCA and has made three previous trips to Columbus.  With eight state bouts under his belt he is the most experienced wrestler here.  His only mis-step was at GMVWA where he failed to place.  Henry was 2^nd at that tourney and he and Burroughs should be finalists at this district.  State qualifiers Isaacs, Gates, Welker, and Beach are possibilities for the last two spots with Isaacs a favorite for one of them.

Both the districts at Waite and Coshocton looked somewhat overmatched here.  State qualifier Anderson leads a somewhat suspect group at Coshocton whose qualifiers could struggle at the state level.  At Waite there are no wrestlers with previous state experience.  It looks like a journeyman crew with everyone at about the same level.  That’s not to say one of them might not sneak in to grab a low place, but that will depend a lot on bracket position and the fact that only four qualify out of Elyria Catholic.  Upset-makers here are Lill and Munroe.  The latter tripped up Anderson at Sheridan.

 130 #

Projected Champion:  DAVE TIERNEY (MARTINS FERRY)

Top Contenders

This is a weight class that hasn’t quite snapped into focus yet.  It’s a little fuzzy and some of the important details are still obscured.  With Elwood now apparently competing at 130# it looks like there are a quintet of potential contenders.  Unfortunately, they have not met so far this year and, in fact, only Elwood met Tierney and Kuykendall last year.  I’ve made a half dozen lists and the only one of the fivesome who hasn’t been first at one time or another is Kuykendall – meaning that might be who to put your money on.  Since each district is represented here we’ll take a closer look at each of the top contenders in that context.

The only district with two of my top quintet is at Coshocton.  Tierney, my choice, is a three-time state qualifier who was 3^rd the last two years, losing to the eventual champ (Lester and Blunk) both times.  A dominant figure in his locale, he (and his brother) have had great four year careers.  A very tough, tenacious wrestler he gives every opponent a strikingly difficult battle.  Even the four-time champ Lester beat him by only an 8-4 margin.  Elwood, on the other hand, is a much flashier competitor who can score points by the bushel basket.  He was 6^th last year including an exciting 10-9 win over Neilson to place.  This year he is undefeated, but did not compete at Richmond Hts.  He lost to Tierney in overtime last year and to Kuykendall in the consolation semi-finals at States.  Blaine is the defending district champion at the weight class, but I see him half a step behind my top duo.  He’ll have to spring at least one upset to place.  After that it’s wide open with Gandert, Lucas, and Cocherel all capable of wrestling well at Columbus  -- if they can get there.

Smilek is up two weight classes for the second consecutive year.  He was 3^rd at 103# as a freshman, and 6^th last year after losing a semi-final bout to Jaggers at 119#.  This year he has wrestled at both the Ironman and Medina – both times in terribly difficult weight classes.  He was 6^th at the Ironman, losing to three state champions, and failed to place at Medina, losing to Constantino and Martin. Since then he triumphed at the Top Gun in impressive fashion. This should make him more than ready for the competition here, and he has finalist possibilities.  Remember his brother pulled a huge upset to win a state title last year, and Matt would need nothing of that magnitude to win here.  The rest of this district is not as strong, and that’s why I anticipate some of the excess 125’s moving in this direction.  State qualifier Peltz, Meyers, and Smithville MVP Steiner are perhaps in line for qualification.  Don’t overlook Hicks since Chanel wrestlers have made it a practice to come on strong at year’s end and surprise more highly rated competitors. 

Young, a transfer from Oak Harbor, has looked very sharp at 130#, and I may be under-rating him here.  He is undefeated with wins at the Panther Classic, Northwest Duals, and Boca Raton tournaments.  He faces a crowded district, but one that he appears to be several points ahead of anyone else.  State qualifier and district champion Cook has had an up-and-down year and could face pressure to qualify once again.  Ollom and Tomor have had big years and may have moved ahead of him.  Irwin, Stuckey, Bugner, Grigson (Northwood) and Slachta (Swanton) all could be factors here.

Three-time qualifier Kuykendall heads an excellent Xenia District.  He has shown steady improvement at Columbus from “two and out” as a freshman to two wins as a sophomore to a 4^th place finish last year.  Tierney beat him 6-0 in the consolation finals last year, and that’s a lot of points to make up on a good wrestler.  He was 2^nd at the SWOCA, 1^st at the GMVWA, and undefeated at the Northwest Duals, so he’s ready.  State qualifier Bodey beat Ollom earlier in the year and he along with state qualifier Smith could capture a low to middle place.  State qualifiers Lutz and Weyer are also at this district, and somebody is going to be disappointed if things stay as they are.  Weyer, one of the main cogs in a revitalized Blufton team, could be on the bubble here.

135

Projected Champion:  STEVEN BLUNK (STREETSBORO)

Top Contenders

As an eighth grader Blunk did not place in the Junior High State Tournament, but in less than a year he was suddenly a state finalist.  Wrestling for CVCA last year he hit my radar screen with a strong performance at Medina where he lost two close bouts to eventual Division I state runner-up T. J. Enright.  At the district level he had three technical falls and a 5-1 win over Ralph.  He then scored a minimum of 13 points in his first three state wins before getting caught by three-time state champ Drew Opfer and pinned in the first period.  It was a most remarkable run, and it didn’t hurt that he had Lester and the two Smileks as workout partners.  This year he is at Streetsboro, but has maintained that momentum.  He has won this year at Aurora, Chippewa, and Hudson; and becomes a solid favorite at this weight class. 

Blunk is a scoring machine who likes an up-tempo, aggressive opponent.  At Elyria Catholic, only state placer Ralph would seem to have the talent and experience to keep things close.  In a high-scoring bout Blunk cannot be defeated in Division III, but in a one move match – who knows?  Ralph was 5^th last year beating Elwood twice and losing two overtime bouts to Tierney and Kuykendall.  The latter was a 30 second tiebreaker with Tierney barely hanging on.  Had Ralph escaped, Chanel would very likely have won the team title.  Wiles, coming down from Division II, was a district semi-finalist last year, and that momentum has carried into this year.  He finished 4^th at Wadsworth, and has done well in the countless duals that Perry wrestles.  The last spot is certainly wide open.  Besides those listed I like Kostel (Cuyahoga Hts.), Hamann (Columbia Station) and McFarland (Brookside).  Also watch out for the freshman Bernon (Beachwood) and the far more experienced Windom (Waynedale).

Blunk’s chief rival will be the excellent Chris Seta.  He was 3^rd last year,losing only to Lester--and this year beat the top notch Wolery in overtime to win the SWOCA.  Undefeated this year, he’ll be away from Blunk at States and, if he can get by Ralph, that should be the match-up for the title.  The rest of the district is relatively weak, and Seta may well be the only rival will be the excellent Chris Seta.  He was 3^rd last year, losing only to Lester – and this year placer out of this area.  Other possible qualifiers besides those listed above are J. Knoop (Miami East) – one of the three on the team – and Beach (Dixie).

State qualifier Bennington leads a relatively weak Coshocton District.  Something of a surprise qualifier last year (I had him ranked 24^th), he won a consolation bout at States and should do much better than that this year.  Nutbrown is rated the best in the Columbus area, but he was only 4^th at Clyde, although both Blackburn and Spurlock were at that weight.  After that it’s pretty much a grab-bag weight class, although we may see either Cocherel or Elwood move back here from 130#.

The Waite district is also relatively weak with few wrestlers appearing to have place-winning credentials.  Pfeiffer pinned in the Gorman finals, but Lewis took him into overtime in the afternoon round.  Coopman, a transfer from Archbold, has done well in his new environs and should qualify.  Dark horse candidates here are Link (Sandusky St. Mary) and Perkins (Gibsonburg)

140 #

Projected Champion:  ADAM LOHMAN (DELTA)

Top Contenders

Despite an enormous amount of time and energy spent analyzing and reanalyzing this weight class, I feel no closer to understanding its final resolution than I did six weeks ago.  Part of the problem is that the top group has very similar credentials – state qualifiers, either a low state place or nearly one, and this year, titles at smaller tourneys and solid placements at larger ones.  Clearly, this is a more difficult problem to untangle than most because they all seem to fall into the same category.

My choice is the fast-improving Delta middleweight,  Adam Lohman.  A state quarter-finalist last year, he missed placement by one bout.  This year he has won at Waite and Perrysburg and was a strong 4^th at Brecksville, losing to Randazzo (by a point) and splitting two tough bouts with the excellent Lovell.  This should be a competition replete with close bouts and Lohman (or whoever wins) will have to be able to win a lot of them.

Lohman exits a very solid district.  Young, like Lohman, was one bout from state placement last year, and that was a bout he was forced to default.  He has been at 140# all year (at least by my records), but did certify at 135#.  Still, I believe he’ll stay at 140#.  After all, his odds of winning here are substantially greater than at 135# where Blunk is very dominating.  He certainly will be away from Lohman at Columbus and, perhaps, from Vogel, as well.  Malott was 5^th last year, and has won at Richmond Hts. and Edison this year.  The sophomore Joseph Whelan also was a state qualifier, but drew Mike Hurley in the first round, and eventually, went “two and out.”  That’s