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Division III

I am totally puzzled by the district structure in Division III.  Incredibly, district size varies from as few as 46 schools to as large as 61.  Even worse, the district that has easily the best state record of all districts (Divisions I, II, and III) has been augmented with the best Northwest sectional.  This creates an Elyria Catholic District of 61 teams that is far and away the most difficult from which to qualify.  Not every competitor can be a state champion, but reaching the state tournament is something everyone can aspire to.  That process ought to be as fair to all contestants as possible.  The argument that this was somehow a geographical necessity is patent nonsense.  There are many other, equally logical, ways by which to create more appropriate districts.  The oversight authority in this process, whoever they are, should be ashamed of themselves.  Let’s hope they can do better next year.

103 #

Projected Champion:  LEVI WYANT (TRIAD)

Top Contenders 

It would almost seem that the entire Elyria Catholic district is in pursuit of Levi Wyant’s state title.  There are seven state caliber wrestlers competing there with only four to qualify.  At the same time, never have I felt uneasier about the choice of a state champion returning to defend at the same weight class.  Wyant is undefeated at 103#, but his sojourns to 112# have been unimpressive and slightly disturbing.  His schedule at 103# has not been terrifically strong and he’ll need to be at the very top of his game to hold off the Elyria Catholic contingent.

It will be just plain brutal at Elyria Catholic.  Gardella is vastly improved.  He was 2^nd at Solon (including a win over Jordan Brown), 1^st at North Canton, and 3^rd at Wadsworth – losing to Wyant 7-6 in the semi-finals.  He massacred Rooney at the Big Eight, and will be a real force in the tourney process.  Marthey, an Orville transfer, might be even better.  He won the D-3 Classic and was 2^nd at Medina, losing only to Division I pick, Lance Palmer.  He built on that with a win at the Bill Dies, and clearly he is on a sensational roll.  Lint is a pinner.  He won at Bellevue, was 2^nd at Aurora, and a very strong 3^rd at Medina, losing only to Division II pick McLemore 7-4.  I have Gray rated 4^th at this district and he was 5^th in the state last year.  Still the BCS goes on strength of schedule, and so do I.  Gray was 2^nd at 112# at the Gorman, losing only to state champion Compton.  He has not lost at 103#, and that includes a big win at Doylestown Chippewa.  Combs was 2^nd at North Canton to Gardella and it isn’t often that two Division III boys compete in the finals there.  He won at Canton City and Canton South, and has past district experience.  I’ve liked Kemble the last two years.  He was one bout from state qualification last year, and this year won at Jackson Milton and was 2^nd to Marthey, 8-6, at the D-3 Classic.  The sophomore Notte was 3^rd at the D-3 Classic – pinning Geesey, but he is clearly at the wrong district.

Two excellent wrestlers head the field at Waite.  Lee came in at mid-season for Elmwood last year and ended up winning 35 bouts and just missing state qualification, losing 6-5 to Tinnel in his go-to-state bout.  He has won at Hopewell-Loudon and was second to Bugara, 9-7, at Edison.  He will give the Elyria Catholic boys all they can handle.  State qualifier Porter was 6^th at Columbus last year, losing twice to Gray.  He won at Marion Harding and Lincolnview.  After these two it’s wide open with Evans, Smith, and Froelich all at the same level.  Should some of this group falter a second trio of Strickland, Geesey, and Laney could step in.

There’s not much at Xenia after Wyant.  Long is experienced while Austin has done well in smaller area tourneys.  He was, for example, 1^st at Carlisle and Waynesville.  The last qualification berth is wide open.

I’m not sure what to expect at Marion.  Many of the top contenders are newcomers without much of a track record, and who have wrestled only within their own geographical area.  Skoff, winner at Bellaire St. John and Barnesville, and Wilson, champion at Ready, seem to be the best.  They should probably both be ranked at 8½.  I have to admit Skoff has put up some excellent results in his freshman year.  Wright and Miller, both from the Columbus area, would seem to have the best opportunity for the last two spots with the other Wilson, from Malvern, certainly a viable contender.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone I’ve completely overlooked in the ratings grid get to Columbus.

112 #

Projected Champion:  COREY OPFER (SANDUSKY ST. MARY)

Top Contenders 

So how do you analyze a weight class that features 13 state qualifiers and 3 returning state placers?  Especially, how do you do that when there are, in addition, four exceptional freshmen--all of whom were either champs or place winners at last year’s Junior High State Tournament?  The difficulties I face are more than offset by the interest and excitement this weight class should generate during the remainder of this season.

The last two years have seen an influx of exceptionally talented freshmen from every part of the state, and in all three divisions.  It has been so pronounced that it raises a question as to its cause.  Is there an upsurge in interest in wrestling that manifests itself in more youngsters becoming involved in the sport, or is this just a peak period in the natural cycle of ups and downs that every sport experiences?  Both those may be true, but there is an important third factor.  The Ohio Junior High State Championship has grown to be a very important event on the wrestling calendar.  It gives middle and junior high school wrestlers added incentive to continue practicing.  It attracts a star-studded field that provides competition at the very highest level.  As you look back at past champions at that event you can see it almost always translates to overwhelming success at the senior high level.  All of us in the wrestling community owe Jude Roth and his cohorts a huge thanks for creating and growing this event, and owe it to our sport to promote it in any way we can.

Revenge is a powerful sports motivator and it may become an important theme at this weight class.  Many of these wrestlers have a history with one another that predates high school competition.  For example, Cory Opfer, one of last year’s favorites at this weight class, cruised into the state semi-finals after two easy wins and was rudely awakened by Lucas Huffman, who yanked him to his back and went on to defeat him 9-4.  Opfer recovered to gain two more easy wins, but third place isn’t what the Opfers are about.  This year it’s time to make amends and Opfer, now a sophomore, has been excellent.  He defeated Division I state champion Iovine at the MWC and his only loss at 112# has been to the excellent Federico 10-1.

Huffman, now a senior, also has something to prove.  After his big win over Opfer he never got going in the finals and lost a narrow 3-2 decision to Lipp.  Very determined he got to 112# early and has not yet been challenged.  No doubt he will be further motivated by this particular selection.  He has already won this year at Malvern, Beallsville, Union Local, and Shadyside.

Scaletta also finished 3^rd last year as a freshman, but I’m sure he thinks it could have been even more.  After defeating the very rugged Schafer in the quarterfinals he battled Wyant into overtime.  Actually I thought Scaletta might have been slightly the better of the two boys (a difficult admission since I picked Wyant), but Wyant won in overtime.  This year Scaletta has dominated smaller tournaments and was a very good 2^nd at Brecksville, losing only to the ubiquitous Federico 5-0.  While this trio is excellent, they’ll face, as I started this essay, very strong competition.

The Marion District is both strong and deep.  Huffman has not matched up with many of them to date so his dominance is not assured.  Foremost is one of the outstanding freshmen, Mick Nicola.  Last year he won the junior high state title at a weight class that also featured (among others) Kevin Lipp and Jacob Murton.  He dominated at Bellaire St. John, and his only loss has been to Terry Jackson, 7-5.  He’ll win a state championship or two before he’s done.  Also at this weight class are returning state qualifiers Minner, Ewing, Riley, and Seidler.  Ewing, top-rated in Columbus, won at West Jefferson, Hamilton Township, and Sheridan, where he beat Grosswiler to win the OW.  Minner won a state bout last year, and along with Wilson has given Pleasant a great 1-2 punch at the top of their line-up.  Riley has won several tournaments for Madison Plains and should improve on his 0-2 record at Columbus last year, if he can get there.  In a normal year Seidler would expect to easily qualify, but he will struggle to do so this season.  Garee is good, as is Grossi, but they are at the wrong weight class.

Unbelievably, it’s even more crowded at Elyria Catholic and even Opfer is not a lock to get out.  I count nine wrestlers with state caliber credentials.  Opfer and Scaletta lead my list, but the other three exceptional freshmen are all here.  Lipp watched his older brother take the state title at this weight as a freshman last year, and hopes that lightning strikes twice in the same place.  He took the title at Solon, but was 3^rd at both Riverside and Kenston.  Koballa, a junior high state runner-up last year, has been very good.  He has been 2^nd three times this year – at Solon (to Lipp 3-1), North Canton, and the Big Eight.  He was 3^rd at Wadsworth, losing only to state champion Compton.  I don’t know as much about Pycraft.  However, he was runner-up at Lorain Southview, losing only 5-2 to the explosive Mitcheff, and has won a couple of smaller tourneys.  His reputation and his genes are both excellent.  That’s five outstanding candidates, but there is much more.  State qualifier Tinnel won a bout at Columbus last year.  This year he was 2^nd at Edison and Bellevue (losing by fall to Scaletta), and 7^th at Brecksville.  State qualifier Amburgey is also good.  He defeated Tinnel at last year’s district in a tiebreaker, but lost twice at states.  This year he humbled state champion Wyant at the A Classic in a 4-0 win.  Add in the D-3 champ Hambrick – a pin master – and the steady Grosswiler and it adds up to a lot of heartbreak.  Ironically the four boys out of the Northwest District that were shuttled to Elyria Catholic would probably all qualify out of Waite.

There is not much left at Waite.  No state qualifiers, no fabulous freshmen (well, maybe one), and no state placement hopes.  Weller and Karnes were the consolation finalists at the A Classic and they might be the best here.  Lopez is that one freshman, and he looks to be real good.  Abair and Smith are also top contenders here, but this is the district you’ll want to draw into at Columbus.

There are four returning state qualifiers at Xenia, and if the bracketing works out, they should be the qualifiers.  Harris is the best.  He beat Mosher early and lost to Huffman by a narrow 4-2 margin.  His highlight this year was winning the giant GMVWA, finishing ahead of state placer Penny, Depoy, and Kostoff.  Despite all of the big names from other districts, he has placement potential.  Bernholt is not that far behind.  He, too, placed at the GMVWA and won two state bouts last year, over Tinnel and LeJeune.  Factor in Steiner and Robbe and this is a very representative district at a very difficult weight class.  Two caveats need be made here.  The bracketing could work so that one of the top four cannot get out, or there could be a big upset.  The key figure in both cases is Traugh who has chances either way.

119 #

Projected Champion:  JORDAN LIPP (BEACHWOOD)

Top Contenders

This is not a particularly deep weight class except, again, at the dynamite Elyria Catholic District where six potential state placers will be whittled down to only four.  My guess is that at both Xenia and, particularly, Marion some of the excess 112’s may find their way to this weight class.

Jordon Lipp had one of those dream seasons last year.  A junior high state champion, he fashioned an undefeated regular season then swept through the tournament process with 12 more wins to complete a perfect year with a state title.  Wise beyond his years, he is an intelligent wrestler who does exactly what it takes to win.  After easy wins in the first three rounds at Columbus he met the fiercesome Huffman, who had just vanquished Opfer.  Wrestling a beautifully choreographed bout he won a close 3-2 victory – his only close bout in the tournament process.  This year he extended his winning streak to 46 with a title at Solon, but fell to the buzz saw Deubel in the Kenston final 18-3.

Despite his credentials, Lipp is not assured of qualification at Elyria Catholic.  Schafer lost narrowly to Scaletta at Columbus last year and did not place, but he deserved better than that.  He got stuck in an unbalanced bracket situation, which put him with Scaletta, Wyant, and Bill.  This year he has taken the title at Gibsonburg, Marion Harding, Clyde, and Van Buren, including wins over people like Ysaguirre.  He exits the easiest sectional and should get a good draw at the district level.  Keyes was the state runner-up at 103# and bitterly disappointed immediately thereafter.  He has not been as dominating up two weight classes where he does not have the size advantage he enjoyed last year.  He was 3^rd at Kenston, also losing to Deubel, 16-1 – but ripped through Jackson Milton.  Tomasone is another brilliant Chanel freshman coming off a stellar junior high career.  His highlight tournament was a 2^nd at Wadsworth to Laughlin.  But he placed at both Solon and North Canton as well.  Mosher and Bill are both returning state qualifiers, both of whom lost their placement bout at Columbus.  If they qualify they can place.

It’s a two-tiered district at Marion with only state placer Kagey and state qualifier Emery on the top level.  Kagey got pinned in the first round at Columbus by Opfer, but won three consolation bouts (Emery and Mosher were two of his victims) to get 6^th.  Most recently he was a sparkling 1^st at the CIT.  Emery was 2^nd at the D-3 classic losing to Mosher in the 30 second tie-breaker.  Emery was a state quarter finalist last year losing to Lipp 10-5.  Below this duo are a large group looking to capture one of those last two spots.  State alternate Wilson and Terry look like slight favorites, but Gossett, who certified at 112#, will probably be back to challenge.

State qualifiers Matt Bloniarz, LeJeune, and Rufenacht head a not so strong group of 119’s at Waite.  Bloniarz defeated Rufenacht in the consolation finals at Waite last year, but got hammered by Emery in the first round at Columbus.  He won two bouts at 125#, and then lost by only 7-6 to the excellent French.  On a hot weekend he could place.  LeJeune had a state win last year and won easily at Northwood.  He had the bad luck to draw Wyant in the first round last year, but as a district qualifier he could look forward to a much better bracket position.  Rufenacht won at the A Classic and has met and beaten most of the other good 119’s in this district.  Martinez, Senn, and Sroufe are the top battlers for the last two spots with Wakefield and, maybe, Schalk as possibilities.

State qualifier Riley transferred from Milton Union to Troy Christian and should become the first wrestler from that school to qualify for the state tourney.  Below him is a tangled mass led, I think, by Carver, Bey, and Mages.  However state alternate Schierloh is a good second-half wrestler who beat Bey last year, but lost to Mages this season.  Kief, a transfer from Indiana, may be a factor.

125 #

Projected Champion:  RANZIE GAMBILL (MIAMI EAST)

Top Contenders

There is no clear-cut choice at this weight class.   Early in the year defending state champion Shearer was competing at this weight and was, in my mind, an overwhelming favorite.  However in the end, he was growing too rapidly and has since moved to 135#.  That makes it a wide-open race to the top step of the podium with a surprise winner the likely outcome.

As I see it there are four choices that are slightly more likely than anyone else.  The most interesting is Ranzie Gambill, who was state runner-up as a freshman and sophomore (the second loss a 3-2 defeat in the 30 second tie breaker).  Last year he was unable to compete in the state tourney process, but now returns at this weight class.  He was 3^rd at the GMVWA, losing only to the sensational freshman Kyle.  Caruso lost to Jaggers, and Spencer (to the two state finalists) at the district level and has no state experience.  This year he won at Solon (over Turchetta) and Kenston (over Protz).  He can be inconsistent, but when he’s good, he just might be the best one here.  Anderson was 3^rd at this class last year, losing only to Spencer.  This year he has won titles at Shadyside, St. Clairsville, and Sheridan (He likes the letter S) and was second to Tucker, 3-2 at Barnesville.  Tucker is up three weight classes after a state 4^th last year at 103#.  He won at Bellaire St. John and Barnesville.

As always the Elyria Catholic District is loaded.  We’ve already discussed Caruso, but if my top quartet doesn’t snare the title, the champ will likely be someone from here.  Cavalier, twice a state qualifier, was 5^th last year after a quarterfinal loss to Opfer.  This year he has been somewhat shaky.  At the D-3 Classic Hill had him beat in the semi-finals, but allowed some late points that permitted Cavalier to forge a 12-12 tie.  Then Hill defaulted in the overtime and Cavalier ended up 2^nd to Hamed.  At Waite, Cavalier only finished 5^th, losing to Morris in the process.  I wonder whether the loss of the Spencer twins as workout partners (they moved to Mayfield) has been a huge negative.  Herner and Burrer are two excellent wrestlers who have never quite made it to Columbus.  They certainly have state caliber talent.  Herner has won at Gibsonburg, Bucyrus, and Clyde, and was 2^nd at Marion Harding.  Morris was 1^st at Jackson Milton and 4^th at Waite, including that upset win over Cavalier.  Nelson and Friedman are other possibilities.

While Tucker and Anderson stand out at Marion, state qualifiers Graessle and Navarra are not far behind.  The former won a state bout last year, and had two interesting bouts with Anderson.  He lost 14-13 in probably the most exciting district final in the state, but then was dumped 17-7 at Columbus.  He has dominated Division III action in the Central District this year.  This would leave Schmelzenbach outside the qualifying circle unless he can manufacture an upset.

There is not much placement potential at Waite.  Hill, second to Herner at Waite, is the top dog here and he has shown that he can stay with some of the top folks here.  State qualifier Steinmetz is probably next best after finishing 3^rd at Van Buren and the A Classic, and 1^st at Hopewell Loudon.  Kunisch and Coleman look good for two state tickets, but Knisely, Madden and Suffel cannot be overlooked.  Nedolast (Fostoria St. Wendelin) and Dotson (Liberty Center) are also possibilities.

A reconstituted Gambill should take the title at Xenia.  In addition, the fierce rivalry between Ison and Franz should continue with both eventually gaining a place in the state bracket sheet.  I look for Gibson to nail down the last spot with Zickafoose, Stapleton, and probably countless others in close pursuit.

130 #

Projected Champion:  JEFF JAGGERS (CHANEL)

Top Contenders

At last!  A weight class where there is just one dominating figure.  Jeff Jaggers is on track to win his 5^th consecutive state title (two junior high titles, plus two state titles to-date).  A dominating foe, there is no one in Division III who can compete with him.  Last year he did not go six minutes in any of his four bouts, winning by technical fall over Spencer in the finals, 19-4.  This year he has won four tourney titles, but has split two great bouts with Division II choice Josh Zupancic, losing 11-10 and winning 7-6.  In both cases I thought his conditioning might be suspect, but it won’t matter here.  He will be highly recruited next year.

The best district is – surprise – at Elyria Catholic.  Bernath, who was district runner-up to Jaggers last year (it took 73 seconds) was 4^th last year, defaulting in the consolation finals.  He is an excellent wrestler who could well meet Jaggers in the sectional, district, and state finals.  Craemer lost his district semi-final to Hamed (who ended up 3^rd) by a 5-4 count, and then failed to qualify.  He missed the early part of the year, but won impressively at Chippewa.  There is a real logjam after this trio.  Gliatta, Kertesz and Eicher are all possibilities, but so too are state qualifier McGhee, Snyder, Allerding, and Dierkes (Jackson-Milton).  It should be a frantic race for the two bottom slots, with Craemer in the lead.

State qualifier Cocherl should dominate a curiously weak Marion District.  He had one win at Columbus last year and should better than that this time around.  He has been at 135# much of the year, but his district is much easier at this weight.  He took titles at Bishop Ready and North Union and should have a great opportunity for a high place.  Brown won the D-3 Classic and has the look of a district finalist.  During the past few years Monroe Central has developed some excellent wrestlers and this year is no exception.  State alternate Hampton is returning from a broken ankle, and has just begun wrestling.  Still, he was 2^nd to Craemer at Chippewa.  After that it’s “by guess and by golly” with Cottrill, Casebolt, and Workman as the prime candidates.

It’s like we’ve gone back in a time warp to the 1970’s when I look at the Xenia District.  The one exception is state alternate Ezerski who is down two weight classes.  Should he be able to compete at this level, he will be very tough.  He was at 135# at GMVWA and finished 3^rd defeating Ryan Wilson in the consolation finals and losing only to the excellent Midlam.  Watch for him.  That leaves five prime contenders for just three spots.  The freshman Jake Gambill is a national age group champ and was 7^th at the GMVWA.  Hensley is ranked as the best Division III 130-pounder in Cincinnati, with a 13-1 record and wins at Deer Park and Lockland.  Dobereiner was one win from Columbus last year and won at Beallsville and Belpre.  Adams was also one win from Columbus last year and was 2^nd at Madeira.  And Henry is from Versailles and that Henry family is always good.  Take your pick.

There is also an overload of state candidates at Waite, but not at a performance level that will generate many state placement opportunities.  State alternate Bloniarz and state qualifier Clum are probably the best here.  Bloniarz was runner-up at Perrysburg, losing only to Oberdove, but was not so fortunate at Medina where he lost early to Eicher.  Clum wrestles an easier schedule, but I was impressed with his big win over McCreary at Marion Harding finals.  Shindledecker started slow with only a 3^rd at Gibsonburg, but bounced back to win at Rogers and the A Classic.  Kelly, whom I didn’t recall from last year, was 3^rd at Rogers and the A Classic, and won at Oak Harbor.  That’s my “starting” quartet, but the back-up guys may be just as good.  That includes Autullo, Thomas, Nickles and Schalk, who won at Gibsonburg and Hopewell-Loudon, and was 2^nd at the A Classic and Van Buren.  He might be way better than I’ve rated him.  That still leaves state qualifier Buckingham (who beat Schalk once this year),  Wagner and Barton to be factored into this equation with eleven variables.

135 #

Projected Champion:  TANNER SHEARER (SANDUSKY ST. MARY)

Top Contenders

For the past two years Chanel has been the team to beat in Division III, but they did not win either time.  Two years ago injuries and bad wrestling luck cost them the team title by ½ point, and last year bad luck at the brackets (compared to tremendous draws for Sandusky St. Mary) and some shaky wrestling cost them the title.  Now this year the shoe is on the other foot.  St. Mary is now the big favorite, but they have been bedeviled by injuries, and weight problems.  So they’ve gone to Plan “B” which, I believe, will start here.

Defending state champion (at 119#) Tanner Shearer began the year at 125# and looked like a sure shot to win another state title.  After all he was 57-0 last year, with no close bouts with Division III folks – except the last, tense, nail-biting final against Tierney won on a 30 second ride-out.  Shearer had grown too much and so it was on to 130# - or was it.  Suddenly we see him at 135# eating and smiling, and happy, and not having to wrestle Jaggers (that’s why he is smiling).  The question remains how well will he perform at this weight class, and that answer is still to be determined, but my guess is “just fine.”

Shearer will face tough competition at Elyria Catholic with four other state qualifiers in that bracket.  Meyers, a district champion, had a puzzling state tourney going two and out.  This year he has been at 140# much of the time, and with great success.  He’ll place this year – and toward the top end of the podium.  Paparone, a two-time qualifier, was 5^th two years ago at 112#, but failed to place last year.  He started at 145# this year and has now apparently settled here.  He was 4^th at Solon and North Canton (at 145#), 2^nd at Wadsworth (at 140#), and 2^nd at the Big Eight (to Lang at 135#).  This could be a pivotal weight for the team title.  Steiner and Nolan may have to battle for just one spot if they want to return to Columbus.  Last year Steiner defeated Nolan 9-7 in a first round consolation bout.  Pallotta and a bevy of others may have to wait until next year, unless they’re seniors.

The sophomore Moss, already a state qualifier, has become a hammer in the Northwest District.  He’s now only losing to the very best kids like Flake or Martin, or Shearer’s teammate, Young.  If he doesn’t win it this year his time will come soon thereafter.  He has lots of good company at Waite.  I’ve always liked state qualifier Grigson and he should place after just missing last year.  He’s won at Northwood and Sylvania Southview.  Gracia wrestled at the district level at 160# and has dropped four weight classes (shades of Jake Glover).  He won the A Classic over state placer Mulholland and they may meet again at the district level.  Factor in state qualifier Weyer and Rogers champ Jahnz and this district begins to look like Elyria Catholic.

State qualifiers Bennington and Borders should lead the way at Marion.  Bennington has already qualified twice and a couple of state wins would be a fitting climax for an exceptionally fine career.  Borders, now a junior, is top-rated in the Columbus area after another excellent year.  He beat Moss in overtime last year and a rematch would be a great gauge of their progress.  Mamone is a good third choice, but there really is no standout fourth option.

The Xenia District is also strong at this weight class.  Stapleton won two state bouts last year and has moved forward this year.  He was 2^nd to a Kentucky champion at Carlisle and beat Ezerski at Waynesville.  State qualifier Shaver also returns, as does the puzzling Smith.  Two years ago Smith was one bout from state placement, but last year failed to gain a return trip.  This year he placed at the GMVWA at 140# and should catch that return visit this year.  That leaves Waldman and Lanham as the top choices for the last spot and they are very close.  Lanham won two district bouts last year and three tourneys this year.  He’s close to going.

140 #

Projected Champion:  MATT SAMMONS (CVCA)

Top Contenders

There seems to be in Division III more than the normal maneuvering by wrestlers and coaches seeking the perfect weight class.  It is, for example, very evident at 140# where several wrestlers may still decide to compete elsewhere.  I would not be greatly surprised if both of my top choices were, for one reason or another, not participating at 140#.  Nonetheless, my intent is to approach this analysis as if these weight classes are fixed, though I’ll mention some possible changes.

My choice is the physical senior from CVCA, Matt Sammons.  Last year he was 3^rd at both the district and state level, winning four consecutive bouts in the consolation rounds.  He has been at 145# much of the year and the cut to 140# cannot be an easy one.  Still, strategically, it sets him up for an all-out effort to achieve a state title in his senior year.  He won the D-3 Classic at 145# in a tough weight class, but did not wrestle at Medina.  This will be two tough weekends as his district bracket may be nearly as difficult as his state one.  A major risk is early round action where he is cold, nervous, and right on weight.  It’s a time when upsets seem to blossom.

The Elyria Catholic District is very strong, anchored by three state placers and two other returning qualifiers.  Young has certified at 135#, but will probably be here if, as expected, Shearer moves to 135#.  I think it’s a good fit.  A state runner-up last year at 130#, Young is very good in close bouts, and will be quicker than most opponents at this class.  He wrestled a brilliant bout against my choice, Tierney, in the quarterfinals, and had solid winning chances in his one-point final loss.  He was 4^th at Medina.  Gliatta was 5^th last year at 135#, and both losses were very close to Ralph – the last one on tiebreaker.  This year he won at Edison and was 2^nd at Bellevue (losing to Meyers).  He should place once again.  Also returning are state qualifiers Majer and Eicher, and they are both good.  Majer has won their two bouts – last year’s district and this year’s D-3 Classic – by one point.  Gliatta beat both of them in state consolation rounds last year.  Majer also won at Clyde and was runner-up at Kenston.  There are several other possibilities here.  Janas has had a sparkling year including a runner-up finish at Chippewa, losing only to Blunk.  Hicks had manufactured a solid season at 135#, but has now switched weight classes with Paparone.  McFarland and Comer would have good placement chances at the other district, but will need good fortune to escape this district.

The Marion District is also strong.  Walker is a two-time state qualifier who was just on the edge of placement in Division II last year.  This year he should reach that level.  State qualifier Fleming lost a 10-7 decision to Sammons in the first round at Columbus and then won a consolation bout before being eliminated.  State qualifier Ferguson, Bruce, and Hunkler are not strangers to one another.  This year Bruce has made solid improvement and may now be the best of the trio and fully capable of challenging Walker and Fleming.  He won at Bellaire St. John and Shadyside, pounding Hunkler in that final.  Hunkler has won three times, Sheridan, St. Clairsville, and Barnesville, and defeated Ferguson at the latter event.  Ferguson was 5^th at the D-3 Classic losing 7-0 to Eicher.

The Northwest District is quite crowded, but I’m not sure at exactly what level.  I’ve rated the top quartet very close to one another, and they may deserve to be somewhat closer to the top.  Gratz, a state qualifier last year, moves from the Xenia to the Waite District, and this may not be the best weight class to do that.  He won at Van Buren and Lincolnview, but will face stiff competition here.  Hoff is a great freshman whose potential has been noted to me in several e-mails, but Stuckey did stick him in the A Classic final.  State qualifier Burkholder may be the best of the lot right now.  He placed at Waite and Brecksville (at 145#), but his results always seem a little inconsistent to me.  Bogden will be the wild card here.

State placer Knoop and state qualifier Reynolds are well above the rest of the field at Xenia.  Knoop was 6^th last year losing to Gliatta in that bout, but wrestled very well after a first round loss.  He defeated Burkholder by two during that consolation run.  He was 2^nd at the GMVWA losing only to the excellent Division II wrestler, Aaron Martin.  Reynolds lost two state bouts by a total of three points last year.  I don’t have him losing this year with wins at Carlisle and Waynesville.  After that the competition is wide open with the last two qualifiers likely to face big trouble in the first round at the Schott.

145 #

Projected Champion:  JOHNNY VOGEL (GRANDVIEW HTS.)

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