For 13 consecutive years, St. Edward has dominated the scene with state championship margins of more than 20 points in every single year. In fact, in only two seasons has the margin been less than 50 points (1999 and 2009). This year, there is expected to be some scoreboard watching deep into the tournament, as Wadsworth seeks its first state championship since 1942. The Grizzlies have finished inside the top five seven times the last eleven years, the high water mark being third place in 2005.
Both teams are similarly constructed, with five core wrestlers that are ranked in the top two statewide. Four seniors -- Gus Sako (125), No. 1 Jamie Clark (130), No. 15 Anthony Salupo (145), and No. 3 Nick sulzer -- along with freshman No. 8 Dean Heil (103) anchor the Eagles squad. For Wadsworth, they are anchored by three seniors -- No. 5 Brad Squire (145), Caleb Busson (189), and Ben Buzzelli (285) -- along with a pair of sophomores in No. 17 Kagan Squire (119) and Nick Tavanello (215).
The key to each team's state title hopes will be their other state qualifiers. The Grizzlies have seven other wrestlers in the state tournament brackets for a total of 12, which is the most among any squad across Ohio's three divisions. This includes a pair of seniors in returning state placer Louden Gordon (135) and Bart Randolph (171); along with a quartet of juniors in Alfredo Gray (112), Nate Ball (140), Clay Wenger (152), and Sheldon Brandenburg (160). St. Edward has six other wrestlers in the state tournament - all are either freshmen or sophomores. Edgar Bright (112) and Dominic Abounader (152) are freshmen; while Matt Van Curen (140), Ty Walz (215), and Cadet National All-Americans Mark Martin (135) and Ben Kuhar (285) are sophomores.
Should Wadsworth win the state title, they would be the first public school to win the big-school state tournament (either Division I or Class AAA) since Nordonia earned a title in 1977 by a 2-1/2 point margin. Other than in 1988, this was the last time the big-school championship was decided by less than 10 points. Two records related to second place finishes are also in jeopardy with the battle in Division I -- most points scored by a second place team in Division I (134 by St. Edward in 1996), most points scored by a second place team overall (Marion Pleasant with 151-1/2 in 2007, Division III).
Unlike in Division I, there is no team race to speak of, as Graham -- ranked among the elite teams in the nation - seeks a tenth consecutive state championship. Last year, the Falcons set a pair of state tournament records -- seven individual champions, and 282 points. Though it doesn't seem likely that the points record would be in jeopardy, those seven state titles could easily be equaled -- and if things go right for Graham, exceeded. Five wrestlers are ranked nationally: No. 18 Ryan Taylor (103), No. 5 Nick Brascetta (119), No. 17 Bo Jordan (130), No. 7 Felipe Martinez (140), and No. 5 Max Thomusseit (189). Additionally, sophomore Isaac Jordan (135) and Matt Stephens (145) are projected as state champions; while defending state champion Kyle Ryan (160) and Huston Evans (171) are ranked second.
There are two showcase weights within Division II wrestling this year. Seeking a third state title, No. 7 Ty Mitch from Aurora, has to navigate a 119 pound weight class that features defending state champion Brascetta as well as returning runner-up Brandon Gambucci of Lexington. Mitch is in the opposite half-bracket from both Brascetta and Gambucci, a projected semifinal. Two nationally ranked wrestlers are also featured in the 130 pound weight class -- Bo Jordan along with No. 15 Nate Skonieczny, a sophomore for Walsh Jesuit. Those two wrestlers would be projected to meet in a state semifinal, while two other sophomore returning state placers figure to battle it out for the opposite finals slot -- Kyle Warner of Claymont and Brent Fickel from Padua.
Prior to the start of the state tournament series, it figured to be a three-team battle for the small-school state championship in Division III. However, due to relative struggles at both the sectional and district levels, CVCA has most likely been removed from the conversation despite qualifying five wrestlers to the state tournament. Even so, four of the Royals' grapplers could emerge as state finalists -- 16th ranked Nathan Tomasello is favored to win the 103 weight class, Alex Utley is projected to finish runner-up at 171 pounds, while Zak Vargo (135) and Brandon Sommers (145) are involved in less defined weight classes.
The favorites in Division III have to be Monroeville, which is anchored by their "big four" of Hunter (119) and Logan (125) Stieber, Cam Tessari (140), and Chris Phillips (171). The Eagles also qualified Cal Clark (135) and Brent Wilkens (189) to the state tournament. Prior to Logan Stieber's career debut, Monroeville had one state finalist in its program history -- Drew Schafer finishing second at 119 pounds in 2003. After the 2010-11 season, it is very likely the school with have four wrestlers as four-time state champions.
That “run” starts this year as the nation's top 125 pound wrestler, as well as Class of 2010 prospect Logan Stieber is predicted to become the 19th wrestler in Buckeye State history to win four state titles. He enters the weekend with a career record of 180-1, having not lost since the second weekend of his high school career in the Walsh Ironman final to David Taylor (formerly of Graham, now redshirting as a freshman at Penn State). No. 4 Hunter Stieber, No. 4 Tessari, and No. 1 Phillips each seek third state titles this weekend -- which would put them on pace to win their fourth titles next season.
The only team realistically equipped to derail Monroeville this year would be St. Peter Chanel, which has finished runner-up six times since its last state championship in 1988. That championship in 1988 was the last of three consecutive state championships. In addition to those six second place finishes, the Firebirds have contended for titles on other occasions also falling short. They have a Division III high ten state qualifiers, anchored by a pair of two-time state placers in senior Mike Kovach (130) and junior Cody Walters (152).
In addition to Hunter Stieber, Tessari, and Phillips -- Ty Mitch, Jamie Clark, and No. 15 Harrison Hightower (152) from University School seek to join a select club of wrestlers winning three state titles in their scholastic careers. Seventeen other wrestlers seek a second state title. The resulting sum is that there are 24 wrestlers seeking a multiple state championship in 22 total weight classes (21 in 20 for defending state champions).
Finally, eighteen wrestlers enter the championships with an undefeated record -- that number reflects a total of 16 weight classes. Caleb Busson and Nick Miller (Centerville) both will be in the Division I 189 pound weight class, while Tessari and Chad Sonneberg (Van Buren) both are present at 140 pounds in Division III. Other nationally ranked wrestlers among the undefeated are No. 19 Robert Shepherd (Mason) at 140, Nick Sulzer, Nate Skonieczny, Felipe Martinez, Logan Stieber, and Chris Phillips.
Schedule of Wrestling:
Thursday (March 4): 3 p.m. starting with the championship first round in Divisions III, II, and I; and then the first round of consolation wrestling.
Friday (March 5): 10 a.m. starting with the championship quarterfinals in Divisions III, II, and I; and then the second round of consolation wrestling. 6:30 p.m. will have a concurrent round of championship semifinals and consolation quarterfinals in all three divisions.
Saturday (March 6): 10 a.m. with the consolation semifinals and then matches for third, fifth, and seventh in all three divisions. 5 p.m. with the championship match in all three divisions.
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