1999 High School Wrestling Forecast (28th Annual Edition)
Written By: Brian Brakeman


Division 2

As always, this classification is the most difficult to forecast, both on a team and individual basis. Last year's winner was (among many other things) ultimately decided by a slam disqualification that provided the critical points for Graham. In 1999, the team competition is again likely to be so close that it could be decided by one such event.


Teams

1. Ravenna -- The team title is theirs to lose. They have four potential champs in Hayes, Hampton, Bauer and Zmith and a bevy of potential back-up scorers like Lara, Dunfee, Ramsey and Shrewsberry. Steve Reedy in the last year of a brilliant coaching career could win his second state title (the first in 1993) if he can get his team to peak at the right time.

2. Clyde -- Another team that is outstanding year in and year out. They already have five top five finishes in the 90s including one team title (they missed a second team title by 1 point). This year they have defending champion Anderson, Blackburn, West and Coe as their nucleus with potential scoring help from Smith, Townley, Shearer and Cockrell. A healthy Sosa would be a big plus because if Ravenna falters, this team could easily win it all.

3. Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit -- The team likely to be the heavy favorite next year would like to start celebrating a year early. They have more potential state scorers than anybody, but getting it all to mesh is tough. The biggest surprise is that defending state champion Rooney may not be able to make the team. Daugherty is the best hope for an individual title, but Jones, Romano, Goulosh, Verner, Woodruff and Sveda need to help. The brilliant freshmen Hurley and Lowery could be a hidden source of points.

4. Sandusky Perkins -- Quick and Pentorn are of state finalist caliber while Tommy Hermes could be a huge factor if he goes at 152#. Finn is probably a little small for 119#. He's good enough to score there anyway. The young wrestlers Schnittker and Tieche could be factors, while Leibacher and Dave Hermes are long shots.

5. Uhrichsville Claymont -- Another squad that won a team title in the '90s and could do so again. Peters, Abbuhl and Toukonen are the key players, but each has to be healthy and at the right weight class. Add in both Groves and Williams and they must generate some team points if Claymont is to move up. Two surprise helpers might be Edwards and Cottrell.

6. Twinsburg -- If it's going to happen for this team, it has to happen at the middle weights. State finalist Michalek and state qualifiers Brooks and Turle are the key elements while Kugler and Grimsley are outside hopes.

7. Olmsted Falls -- A team that has plenty of upward potential if they can get enough people through the brutal Firestone District. Hodermarsky and Pfaff are exceptional and both could be state finalists. Other help could come from Stofer, Gross, Jones and Hoy, while Mazella and Hammond could be factors. Real help, though, could come from the young heavyweight Bryant who has loads of talent.

8. Bellevue -- A team that always looks great on paper, but hasn't been in the Top Ten since 1993. This year is one of their best squads with real power at the middle weights with DePolo, Coleman, Fisher and Smith. Add in Didion and Sanchez at the upper weight classes and they could be in the Top Five.

9. Columbus Bishop Watterson -- Hockaday and Keenan have finalist potential, while Burkhardt and Bowen could help at the upper weights. If Paniccia and Weeks can score, they'll justify this ranking.

10. Galion -- Hieber and Gilmore are the heart of this team, but they must wrestle up to their potential at Columbus. The only other hopes for points are state qualifier McClintock and Tyrell.
11. West Holmes -- If they can surmount their plague of injuries, this could be a Top Ten team. State qualifier T. White should score heavily at 103# while D. White, Hart and Hummel are an excellent threesome at 171# through 215#. The only other scorer might be Baker. The key, though is for Hart and D. White to be at 100% by district time.

12. Columbus St. Francis DeSales -- Most of the upper weight stars are gone, but this team still has the firepower to generate points. Barnett is a potential finalist and Redmond could score heavily if he can go at 103#. Canty has had some big wins this year, while Gilstrap might do well at heavyweight.


103#
Projected Champion: Josh Wooten (St. Paris Graham) Top Contenders 2. White (West Holmes) 15. Shearer (Clyde) 3. Blackcloud (Dover) 16. Egnor (Dayton Northridge) 4. Sell (Louisville) 17. Vondruska (Bay) 5. Stofer (Olmsted Falls) 18. Kendjorsky (Buckeye Local) 6. Redmond/Pizzurro (Columbus DeSales) 19. Russell (Van Wert) 7. Barker (Maysville) 20. Henderson (Preble Shawnee) 8. Protz (West Geauga) 21. Meinking (Purcell) 9. Bowersock (Beaver Local) 22. Randazzo (Padua) 10. Klofta (Indian Lakes) 23. Sosbe (Rossford) 11. Burns (Jefferson) 24. Don Collier (Minerva) 12. Gilsdorf (Maumee) 25. Smith (Wilmington) 13. Weeks (Watterson) 26. Ball (Licking Valley) 14. Maple (Indian Creek) 27. Damianti (Springfield Shawnee)

I had spent most of the season with the anticipation that defending state champion Dan Rooney would compete at 103#. However, after making the scratch weight the first week of the season for the Ironman, he eventually concluded it was too great a task and moved up to 112#. This has left something of a void at this class, although there are several solid candidates to replace him.
My choice is the canny sophomore Josh Wooten who has put together an unblemished season including titles at Graham and Medina. He is the defending district champion at this weight and won one state bout last year. Wooten dominated the Wilmington District last year, and should probably do so again in 1999. He has already pinned what look likes his strongest rival in Klofta, and is far ahead of the remainder of the pack. Now that this district sends four qualifiers, there is probably more margin for error, and more opportunities for gain than in the past. Besides Klofta, I think that Egnor and Henderson have the best chance for qualification with the former missing by one win of going last year when he finished 4th. Meinking has put together a fine season and could challenge while Damianti, Smith, Kleppinger (Milton Union) and Bolton (Bellbrook) are other contenders. My guess is that only Wooten can place out of this district.
The most powerful district will be at Steubenville. Defending district champ and state qualifier Trent White heads a strong field. White's only loss this year was in the Brecksville semifinals to Division I contender Januszewski. Last year he breezed through sectional and district competition, but it may not be so easy this year. That's because state qualifier Blackcloud and Barker have both shown solid improvement. Blackcloud, who took West and Laughlin into overtime in the state quarterfinals and consolation brackets has had a particularly fine year, while Barker won at Tiffin. Bowersock could qualify at any other district, but may have trouble here. Maple won impressively at Edison including an overtime victory over Shearer and if you add in, Fetty (Athens), Kenjorsky (Buckeye Local) and Henry (Claymont), it gets really crowded. Should state qualifier Williams (Claymont) elect to wrestle here the competition would heat up even more.
Surprisingly the usual strong Marion District does not look particularly deep or powerful. If Redmond, who was a district semifinalist at 112# last year remains certified at 103#, he would seem to be the kingpin here. He pinned Quick in first round action to highlight his district tournament, but lost in overtime to go to Wright State. He has not competed much in 1998-99. His backup Pizzurro is also quite good and would have an outside chance of qualification. I've listed a number of other possibilities headed by Weeks, Shearer and Gilsdorf, but this will not be the usual, powerful contingent of 103's that generally emerges from this district.
I'm not sure how to evaluate the talent at Firestone. There are no returning state or district qualifiers at this weight class, so there is not an extensive track record with this group. Both Sell and Stoffer have had excellent years with Sell holding a 5-1 decision over his top rival. Stoffer can score points in big bunches and has dominated some good performers. Protz and Burns have had excellent seasons although the latter competitor wrestles a weak schedule. I've also listed Vondruska, Randazzo and Collier, but Inghram (Lake Catholic), Mendes (Orange) and Bement (North Ridgeville) could be other contenders.
In summary, the absence of Rooney casts an entirely different light on the state tournament process at this weight class. It moves from one likely to be dominated by a single wrestler to one with lots of options for a wide range of contenders. Instead of pointing for a Herculean confrontation, each of the contenders now understand that solid, consistent wrestling each round can have a state championship payoff. 112#
Projected Champion: Josh Quick (Perkins) Top Contenders 2. Laughlin (Canton South) 14. Wisecup (Wilmington) 3. Rooney/Goulosh (Walsh) 15. Ashworth (Bellbrook) 4. West (Clyde) 16. DeLeon (Maysville) 5. Brock (Taylor) 17. Weight (Fairview Park) 6. Blankenship (Bucyrus) 18. Cronkleton (Benjamin Logan) 7. Rogers (Purcell) 19. Sharples (Oak Harbor) 8. Triscaro (Kenston) 20. Dave Collier (Minerva) 9. Williams (Claymont) 21. Carter (Springfield Shawnee) 10. Kasler (Circleville) 22. Reeder (Wauseon) 11. Grassi (West Geauga) 23. Francis (Bellaire) 12. Wimmers (Marysville) 24. King (Trenton Edgewood) 13. Kostko (Bryan) 25. Long (Paulding)

Defending state champ Dan Rooney can no longer make 103#, but beyond that he has been unable, at least so far, to beat Nate Goulosh in the wrestle off at 112#. Now Goulosh is good, but as a first year varsity wrestler he has not been tested in the crucible of pressure as has Rooney. If he can make the team, Rooney could win it all, but that might not happen. Rocky Laughlin is completing his third excellent varsity season, including state qualification last year. Last year Rooney beat him by 3 and West defeated him in overtime and he did not place. This year he was 4th at Medina, including an overtime loss to the redoubtable Harry Lester.
Josh Quick, another state qualifier, has to be the biggest, strongest 112 pounder in Division II. He's had a great year, but he has not wrestled well at the State level in the past. Last year, for example, he was pinned by Kemble and Brock. Doug West is a superb talent who last year collected 42 victories including two overtime wins to reach the state semifinals. However, Rooney beat him 10-1 at that point, and Quick has defeated him this year.
As is so often there is no easy answer here and even the most sensible call seems elusive. I've gone with Quick, but look for the unexpected at this weight class.
At Firestone, Laughlin and the Walsh entrant, either Rooney or Goulosh, should qualify. After that there is a major drop off with the currently injured Triscaro and Grassi next best. However, the freshman Weight, Collier and Thompson (North Ridgeville) are all reasonable choices with Messier (Coventry) and Scianna (Hoban) having qualification potential.
Quick and West along with 6th place winner Blankenship are the class at Marion. All three could place and quite frankly, any of them could be a finalist. There is a substantial drop off after that with at least five solid journeyman wrestlers battling for that last spot.
The Steubenville District is quite weak and it's unlikely that any of that area's three qualifiers will place. Willilams, in fact, may move to 103#, but his qualification chances are probably better at 112#.
There are four returning place winners at Wilmington, but look for at least one of them to stay home this year. Brock was 6th at this weight class last year including a fall over Quick. He should easily repeat as district champ and has the potential to move up a few places at the state level. Rogers is next best, but state qualifiers Ashworth and Cronkleton are both "on the bubble." People like Wisecup, Carter, King and Montgomery (Blanchester) could pass them by. 119#
Projected Champion: Brandon Hayes (Ravenna) Top Contenders 2. Pfaff (Olmsted Falls) 15. Black (Purcell) 3. Smith (Copley) 16. Schultz (North Ridgeville) 4. Spellman (Canfield) 17. Dillon (St. Clairsville) 5. Toukonen (Claymont) 18. Charles (Marysville) 6. Kramer (Crestwood) 19. Day (Preble Shawnee) 7. Smith (Cambridge) 20. Holm (Turpin) 8. Trostel (Graham) 21. Reisinger (WCH) 9. Moody (Buckeye) 22. Moore (Wauseon) 10. Clemens (Paulding) 23. Hedric (Franklin) 11. Townsley (Clyde) 24. Frye (Ontario) 12. Simmons (Conneaut) 25. Tilley (Tipp City) 13. Finn (Perkins) 26. Bartley (Ravenna Southeast) 14. Taylor (Carrollton) 27. Thompson (Teays Valley) 28. M. Henn (Bexley)

This is an exceptionally strong weight class with most of the power located at the Firestone District. Last year the five qualifiers out of Firestone at 112# took the first five places at Wright State. Part of that group is now going at 119#. In fact, there are at least eight or nine 119's at Firestone who have solid state qualification credentials. That's why six of my top seven choices are competing at that district.
I chose Hayes last year at 103#, but he fell victim to a first round upset and finished 3rd. He has not lost in Ohio this year and was dominant in the first part of the season. He needs to sustain that momentum throughout the state tournament process a task which should be somewhat easier because he does not have as severe a weight cut.
Pfaff has been absolutely brilliant all year. His only loss was at 125# and he has won three major tourneys, including a 42 second final round fall at the Dies a tournament where he also pinned twotime Division I placer Barry Saley. Smith is a huge, rock solid 119 pounder who qualified for state tournament action last year, but could not compete because of a skin infection. This year he has won at Copley, took 2nd to state runnerup David Dies on overtime criteria at North Canton, and was 3rd at Wadsworth (losing to Golembiewski). Spellman was the state runner up at 112# last year, but has been a little shaky this year losing, for example, to both Moody and Saley at the Dies. Krammer was 4th at 119# last year with wins over Toukonen and Hiles and a 1point loss to Barnett. He has done well this year at a very tough class. Moody and Simmons are both very good, the former defeating Spellman this year, and the latter a state alternate at 112# last year. Add in Schultz, Roff (Kenston), Bartley (Ravenna Southeast) and Hodges (Walsh) and you have a wonderful competition at Firestone and a powerhouse group going to Columbus. Missing here is state third place medalist Mike Kembie who was superb last year. He smashed both Brock and Quick and defeated Hodermarsky and Machinics as well. A bulging back disc has prevented him from competing this year.
The wrestler with the best shot at breaking up this Firestone dominance is Toukonen. Two years ago he was state runner up at 103#, but last year's move to 119# was not as successful. His style requires him to be "bigger" than his opponent and that will be true this year. He is very tall. District champ Jose Smith won two state bouts last year and could reach placement level this year. He and Toukonen should dominate at Steubenville.
Three returning state qualifiers return to Marion. District champ Clemens is a twotime qualifier, but has lost all three of his state bouts. Townsley and Finn have both had great years in that tough Sandusky Bay Conference with Townsley winning their dual. Finn, who is really a 112 pounder moved up when Quick failed to make 103# and opted to go at 112#. The last state berth is wide open.
Four qualifiers at Wilmington is probably an excess at this class. Trostel was a state alternate last year (he wishes they had changed the ratio one year earlier) and gives everyone a tough battle. He was 3rd at Medina and a solid 1st at Graham earlier this year. Day was a state qualifier in Division III last year, and has wrestled well this year. The rest of this district's qualifiers will struggle big time in Columbus. 125#
Projected Champion: Jesse Leng (Medina Highland) Top Contenders 2. Barnett (Columbus DeSales) 15. C. Henn (Bexley) 3. Hodermarsky (Olmsted Falls) 16. Jolliff (Preble Shawnee) 4. Brooks (Twinsburg) 17. Hilliard (Minerva) 5. Hensley (Lemon Monroe) 18. Shaw (WCH) 6. Hurley (Walsh Jesuit) 19. Heiser (Fostoria) 7. Black (Miami Trace) 20. Beach (Tri Valley) 8. Hiles (Licking Valley) 21. Ames (Willard) 9. Machinics (Kenston) 22. Daugherty (BethelTate) 10. Huelsman (Tipp City) 23. Kirtz (Swanton) 11. McClintock (Galion) 24. Saum (Sheridan) 12. Schultz (North Ridgeville) 25. Errett (Graham) 13. Henry (Springboro) 26. Trosse (Indian Valley) 14. Culbreath (Hillsboro) 27. Linich (University School)

This should be an interesting weight class with some very hard fought match ups bound to occur, and, perhaps recur. My choice is defending state champ Jesse Leng, the senior star from Medina Highland. Last year he moved down to 119# and won 12 straight bouts including an 8-2 final over Michalek. Very short, only 5'-3", he is very strong benching well over 300# and has excellent quickness as well. He won handily at Medina, beating the very tough sophomore Barnett in the finals repeating his state semifinal win of last year.
The Firestone District is again loaded. It is very possible that Leng will meet Hodermarsky in both the district and state finals. Hodermarsky was 2nd at Firestone last year at 112#, but dropped to 5th at Columbus as three of the competitors he finished ahead of at districts ended up above him. This year he has won three tourneys (Milan Edison, Bellevue and Wadsworth) and was 2nd to Leng at the Dies losing a 6-4 decision. State qualifier Brooks will be a huge 125 pounder and has lots of tourney experience. An intriguing competitor will be the absolutely brilliant freshman Hurley a superstar of the future. He could meet Leng at the sectional, district and state level. You can bet the mortgage that Coach Barger will pound at the freshman/senior angle trying to place all the pressure on Leng, while counseling Hurley he has nothing to lose. Machinics has been injured all year, but he was 4th at Wright State last year beating Hodermarsky and Brock among others. That a great quintet, but don't forget the undefeated Schultz and the tough Hilliard. The latter boy's brother came out of nowhere two years ago to grab the 135# title over Morgan and Santiago. Waiting in the wings, but facing long odds are Linich, Hussein (Orange), D'Agostino (NDCL), Kirven (Triway) and Bourquin (Canton South).
Barnett should dominate at Marion. Only a sophomore, he is even shorter than Leng, but is a superb wrestler. While last year was a senior dominated season, it is still very difficult for a sophomore or freshman to win. Hiles, also a returning state qualifier, is second best at Marion with state qualifier McClintock and Henn further behind. It would seem that only Barnett will place from this group. Others beyond those listed include Estrada (Wauseon) and Bennett (Clyde).
Hensley and Huelsman are both returning state qualifiers and could well be the district finalists. I like Hensley and believe he has solid placement potential. He was second only to Wilcox at the SWOCA and has routed most of his opponents. He had trouble with Toukonen last year because a down tempo match does not suit his style. Huelsman won a state bout last year, but I see relatively few of his results during the regular season although those seen have been good.
The Steubenville District is not very strong. Black, who missed qualification by one win last year, should lead the way and he has been very good finishing 2nd, for example, at the GMVWA. The rest of my choices come primarily from the Southeast area, which in the past has not had good luck at either the district or state level. There could be some surprises here, and I wouldn't be shocked if Saunders (Steubenville) moved up to this class. 130#
Projected Champion: Nate Daugherty (Walsh Jesuit) Top Contenders 2. Michalek (Twinsburg) 14. Glover (Buckeye Local) 3. Ray (Hamilton Ross) 15. Klofta (Indian Lake) 4. Ramsey (Ravenna) 16. Hall (Indian Creek) 5. Dunfee (Ravenna Southeast) 17. Hopkins (Coventry) 6. Battles (Springboro) 18. Lensman (Graham) 7. White (Hubbard) 19. Paniccia (Watterson) 8. Allen (Springfield Shawnee) 20. Shannon (WCH) 9. Trivisonno (West Geauga) 21. Gross (Olmsted Falls) 10. Edwards (Claymont) 22. King (Elida) 11. Swisher (Clear Fork) 23. Tennant (Bexley) 12. Campbell (Ontario) 24. Kender (Bellbrook) 13. Leibacher (Perkins) 25. Westover (Beaver Local) 26. Horne (Hillsboro)

Only one school has produced a state champion during every year during '90s and Nate Daugherty may be Walsh's best hope to extend that streak to 10 consecutive years the longest in Ohio. St. Edward has had a champ for eight consecutive years, and for 20 of the last 21. The only break occurred in 1990 when Adam Millson lost 4-2 in the state finals. Incidentally, Coventry has the third longest with six years, but will have trouble extending it to seven.
I'm not sure that Nate Daugherty would have been the 119 pound champion as I had predicted last year, but it would have been better had he at least been given the opportunity. No one covered themselves in glory with competing doctors, harried officials and vindictive coaches all confused about a possible skin infection. Nonetheless, after winning his first district bout, Daugherty was forced to pull out of the tourney. At any rate Daugherty state runnerup two years ago is a slight favorite to win this year. As he has done in previous years Daugherty has wrestled a rigorous schedule with substantial and appears to be improving on a weekly basis. The only real bump in the road was his upset loss in Wisconsin to Division I Williamson of Massillon Perry.
As usual, the Firestone District is loaded. State runner up Michalek returns, also up two weight classes. He was sensational at Solon, Hudson and Kenston. The powerful Ramsey and experienced Dunfee are both excellent, but Daugherty has crushed both of them this year. Add in the highscoring White, the very physical Trivisonno and the state qualifier Hopkins, and it is a very deep field. In addition, Gross was a finalist at Milan Edison and Bellevue (where he won), and was 5th at both the Dies and Wadsworth. Schmidt (Marlington), Kibler (Medina Highland) and Long (Copley) could also be factors in this contest.
While no other district can match Firestone for overall depth, the Wilmington District is also strong. Ray could be a finalist and this excellent junior has all the tools. As a freshman he garnered a 4th at 112#, but last year after an opening win, lost a two-overtime 8-7 heartbreaker to Pfaff and was later eliminated. A big plus for him is that Claymont's Abbuhl will compete at 135# he has beaten Ray twice at the state level. Battles was a state qualifier as a sophomore, but then did not compete last year. He has shaken off the rustiness to put together an excellent record winning, for example, at Graham. Klofta and Allen are very close. Klofta was a district 4th last year and has lost narrow bouts to both Battles and Allen, while the latter boy has come on strong losing 7-6 to two-time state champ Kevin Maehl. Lensman could also be a factor, as witnessed by his recent win over Leibacher, while Kender, Boehmer (Alter) and Gillespie (Turpin) will be looking for the upset.
Both Steubenville and Marion would seem to be substantially weaker than the other two districts. At the former, Edwards, a state alternate last year with his 4th place finish, should lead the way as Abbuhl's choice to move to 135# opens the door for Edwards to move to his best weight class. State qualifier Hall is up three classes at 130#, but has had some big early season wins. Besides those listed check out Founds (St. Clairsville), Holiday (Hillsboro) and Swaldo (Indian Valley).
Swisher, Leibacher and Campbell look to be strongest at Marion. While none of them reached the state level, they all have substantial district experience. Swisher was 6th in this district last year when five qualified. He should do better this year. The rest of this district is solid, but not spectacular. 135#
Projected Champion: Rondall Blackburn (Clyde) Top Contenders 2. Burns (Hillsboro) 15. Busnick (Canton South) 3. Abbuhl (Claymont) 16. Jones (Springfield Shawnee) 4. Hickman (Alter) 17. German (Vermillion) 5. DePolo (Bellevue) 18. Fink (Aurora) 6. Hathy (Conneaut) 19. DeLong (South Point) 7. Romano (Walsh Jesuit) 20. Horne (Wilmington) 8. Monogioudis (Buckeye Local) 21. Parrish (Hebron Lakewood) 9. Rea (Salem) 22. Stough (Copley) 10. J. Dunfee (Ravenna) 23. Heiland (Shelby) 11. Emrich (Buckeye Local) 24. Mills (Philo) 12. Valerio (Trenton Edgewood) 25. Carter (Franklin) 13. Weichman (Ravenna Southeast) 26. St. Angelo (Ashtabula Edgewood) 14. Marsh (Indian Creek) 27. Ewig (Dayton Christian) 28. Fogliano (Big Walnut)

This weight class seems to spiral round and round and so it's difficult to reach any firm conclusions. In design, it looks like a three-man battle with each participant having previous state placement experience. For the previous two years I've picked Richard Burns and, believe me, I am very tempted to do so once again. Burns was 4th as a freshman and then state runner up the next year losing to Maehl 3-2 in a battle of sophomores. Twice that year once against Wentz at Medina and against Maehl he lost bouts he should have won. Then last year, injured and ill, he won one state bout before dropping back-to-back encounters the last by a 9-0 score. He was clearly not himself. This year he is again undefeated, but he has not wrestled the most challenging schedule. He could easily win it all.
Sky Abbuhl also placed as a sophomore finishing 3rd at 112#. Last year, up two weight classes, he got drilled by Pfaff and failed to place. This year he has spent substantial time at 130#, but apparently is more comfortable at the higher weight. At Medina he looked strong and physical in a match with Branham that he eventually won by default. He and Burns exit the same district and thus will be in opposite brackets at Columbus.
Rondall Blackburn, the only junior of the top trio, is already a twotime state qualifier. Last year he was 4th at 135#, losing the consolation final 17-13. Interestingly, he was well ahead in that bout, but apparently just ran out of gas. Assuming that is rectified, he is a narrow choice to take this title. Very physical, he should be able to handle the strength of Abbuhl and Burns and score heavily on his feet. Last year he lost an overtime district decision to eventual champ Mike Cox in a rough and tumble battle, and this year handed twotime champ Kevin Maehl a solid 7-1 thrashing.
This is probably the strongest weight class at Steubenville. Obviously Abbuhl and Burns are slated for two of the three qualification spots, leaving just one for a half dozen deserving competitors. Monogioudis was the top seed at the OVAC as a reward for excellent season, while Marsh was a district semifinalist last year. DeLong has dominated down in the far southern part of the state, while Mills has had two excellent backtoback seasons. However, I've rated Mills at 140# because I think that's where he may end up. Add Hickman (Beaver Local) and Detwiller (McClain) to this stew and it's easy to see that there will be very rugged competition. Some of this group may consider 140# before the start of sectionals.
Hickman would seem to dominate at Wilmington as this multitime state qualifier has kept winning most recently at the CIT. Valerio has been at 140# most of the year and will be a rugged competitor at this lower class. Jones and Horne might be narrow favorites for the last two spots, but it will not come easily.
Blackburn and state qualifier DePolo look to be strongest at Marion, with Emrich a respectful halfstep behind. Bellevue has upgraded their schedule this year and I think it will pay off at tourney time. The last berth is truly a wide open race with somebody not mentioned in this report likely to capture it. Two such possibilities are Distal (Fostoria) and Hornish (Paulding) although they have now been mentioned.
It's very competitive at Firestone, but at a somewhat lower level than in the previous weight classes. State placer Hathy returns and has competed in a number of good tourneys. He lost to Abbuhl by 3 points in the Medina semifinal. Rea dropped a 4-3 go-to-state decision to Hathy last year, and that's not much to make up. The sophomore Romano moved from 112# to 125# this year, and then to make the team went up two more weight classes to 135#. It's worked like a charm as he has caught fire beating good people with points to spare. Dunfee and Weichman are old rivals with Dunfee beating him out for the fifth qualifying spot, 118, last year. Busnick is a great young freshman who may far outpace the relatively low rating I've given him. Watch out for Fink who is capable of the big, big upset. As a freshman he beat state champion Roger Merrell two years ago. 140#
Projected Champion: Jim Hockaday(Watterson) Elliott Peters is my choice if he competes at 140# Top Contenders 2. Coleman (Bellevue) 16. Piccin (Claymont) 3. Turle (Twinsburg) 17. Baker (West Holmes) 4. Lara (Ravenna) 18. Jenkins (Indian Lake) 5. Smith (Clyde) 19. Brenner (Canfield) 6. T. Ashton (Perry) 20. Trippett (Vermillion) 7. Horner (Canton South) 21. Dunahey (Elida) 8. Durkin (Padua) 22. Woodruff (Walsh Jesuit) 9. Spicer (New Lexington) 23. Walters (Milton Union) 10. Wheeler (Steubenville) 24. Meisler (Perkins) 11. Wood (Preble Shawnee) 25. Komar (West Geauga) 12. Hada (Harvey) 26. Lawton (Avon Lake) 13. Renwick (Sparta Highland) 27. Shisler (Chaminade) 14. Mills (Philo) 28. Wells (Franklin) 15. Phillips (BethelTate) 29. Wheatley (Meadowbrook)

This is easily the weakest weight class in Division II this year. Nobody stands out as a potential state champion, especially now that Elliott Peters is apparently committed to 145#. The Firestone District, which often seems to have the strongest slate of candidates, does have a long list of possibilities, but most seem to me to be one level below what I think it takes to win.
Hockaday was a state semifinalist at 135# last year finishing a strong 4th behind three seniors. He won at Watterson, but did not place at 145# at Medina. Durkin nipped him in the CIT semifinals. Right behind him at Marion are state qualifier Coleman and the experienced Smith. Coleman was a strong 2nd at Brecksville losing only to McAdams, but was caught in overtime by Smith recently in a 5-3 loss. Renwick looks like the best choice for the 4th spot with Trippett, Dunahey, Meisler, Grambo (Teays Valley) and Butler (Licking Valley). Meisler had a big win recently tripping Piccin by a 10-7 margin.
It's a very crowded group at Firestone. There's been a lot of milling about within this class in a kind of Brownian motion pattern without a lot being decided. State qualifiers Turle, Lara, Ashton and Hada all return, but will get no guarantees. Besides those listed, also note Underation (Norton), Daley (Rocky River) and DiEgidio (Aurora).
What first catches your eye with state qualifier Spicer is his haircut (or lack of it), but underneath that mound of hair is an outstanding competitor. He won one state bout last year and took Blackburn into overtime before losing. He has good placement potential. Wheeler and his sidekick Birden are certified at 140# and 145# respectively, but have been up a weight much of the year. Both are returning state qualifiers with good placement chances. Wheeler lost by 2 points to Turle in the first round at Wright State. State qualifier Mills should be third best here (unless he stays at 135#), but he'll be pushed hard by Piccin who can wrestle at this his best weight with Peters at 145#.
The sensational sophomore Wood was a Division III state qualifier last year which included a clean takedown of three time state champ Scott Burnett. Joining him is another Division III state qualifier in Phillips who will need to step it up at Wilmington. These are the best of what is otherwise a relatively ordinary lot. This group will struggle as early as the first round. 145#
Projected Champion: Wes Turnbaugh (Ontario) Top Contenders 2. Peters (Claymont) 14. Menefield (Purcell) 3. Moore (TriValley) 15. Canoles (Canton South) 4. Fisher (Bellevue) 16. Dearing (Hebron Lakewood) 5. Mackesy (Indian Lake) 17. Amata (University School) 6. Milhoan (Beaver Local) 18. Dato (Miami Trace) 7. Kugler (Twinsburg) 19. Green (Kings) 8. Stoffregan (Trenton Edgewood) 20. Gore (West Geauga) 9. Goldsmith (Philo) 21. Wells (Bethel Tate) 10. Bray (Coventry) 22. Pycraft (Keystone) 11. Tieche (Perkins) 23. Collins (Van Wert) 12. Hammond (Olmsted Falls) 24. Schwartz (Alter) 13. Jernigan (Wauseon) 25. Jones (London) 26. Naser (Springboro)

I believe this is strictly a twoman battle with the powerful Peters and the smooth Turnbaugh facing off. Last year in Division III Turnbaugh finished with 43 victories and a state 3rd place medal. This year he has been even better winning by 10 points to take the title at Marion Harding and doing much the same at Plymouth. I am positive he would have won the Gorman had it not been snowed out, which might have taken a little sting out of his overtime loss last year.
Matched up against him (unless he does go to 140#) is Elliott Peters the 7th in a long line of brothers who have qualified at the state level. Peters was 6th last year at 135#, and has been exceptional all year wrestling at three different weight classes. His only loss was to the St. Ed's star, Ryan Bertin, in the Medina final. Should these two meet in the final round it will be a real barn burner.
State qualifier Fisher joins Turnbaugh at Marion and he, too, has put together three fine seasons in a row. He was 4th at Medina and Bellevue in tough weight classes. Last year he lost an overtime bout to Hansen (the same fellow who beat Turnbaugh in overtime) and just missed out on a second straight year of state qualification. Jernigan had much the same fate finishing 6th in a fiveman qualifying district. The great freshman Tieche, Dearing and Collins will be top contenders for the last spot, but it will truly be a wide open hunt.
Peters will have the excellent Moore facing him at Steubenville. He was the district champ at this weight class last year, and has wrestled well this year. He beat Fisher, 5-0, for 3rd at Brecksville. State qualifiers Milhoan and Goldsmith are also here which means one state qualifier won't be going back this year. Dato and Henery (New Lexington) are other possibilities.
I don't rate either of the other two districts quite as highly. There are no returning state qualifiers at Wilmington and the gathered participants are strong, honest journeymen whose best hope is probably a low place. I think Mackesy and Stoffregan have put up the best numbers, but I get a nagging feeling that Menefield might be the one with real upset potential. Because this weight class does not have a lot of good depth, this group could do okay in Columbus.
I would characterize the Firestone District in much the same manner as Wilmington. There are some solid performers who will have to be at the top of their game just to place. The Firestone District, which is so strong up to 140#, hits kind of a soft spot at this weight. In point of fact, I believe Bray and Hammond are certified at 140#, but will likely choose to compete here. Beside those mentioned, I've also checked Demma (Crestwood), Vance (Orrville) and Thompson (Perry). 152#
Projected Champion: Vince Zmith (Ravenna) Top Contenders 2. Glorioso (Lexington) 15. Ryder (Springfield Northwest) 3. T. Hermes (Perkins) 16. Cockrell (Clyde) 4. Birden (Steubenville) 17. Dixon (Purcell) 5. Raber (Marlington) 18. Coapstick (Copley) 6. C. Smith (Bellevue) 19. Andrews (Marysville) 7. Monachino (Padua) 20. Blair (Valley View) 8. T. Smith (Teays Valley) 21. Hoy (Olmsted Falls) 9. Gordon (Dover) 22. Kussmaul (Philo) 10. Garver (Graham) 23. Benton (Buckeye Local) 11. Nixon (Hoban) 24. Cooper (London) 12. Steil (TriValley) 25. Cooper (Indian Creek) 13. Cripe (Trenton Edgewood) 26. Angle (West Holmes) 14. Lowery (Walsh Jesuit) 27. Willman (Kenton Ridge)

First of all, this choice runs counter to the experience of 1998 when 30 of the 42 state champions had last names that fell into the first half of the alphabet. By that standard, Glorioso would seem to have over a 70% chance of victory. Nonetheless, I'll stick with Zmith although I believe that the competition will be very rigorous. Zmith is a transfer from Fitch where he was twice a state qualifier. He has fit nicely into the Ravenna line up and has been outstanding except for a bad weekend at Reno. He won the Solon title defeating the favorite for the Michigan state title in overtime, and also took the tough WRC crown. He is by no means a shoo-in, and he will have to resist as will all Ravenna wrestlers, a perceived view that they tend to flatten out at year's end.
Glorioso has had a sparkling year filled with falls and major decisions and a cornucopia of victories. He will be Zmith's primary challenger, and has a solid chance of pulling the upset. A major plus will be his pinning record which should minimize his mat time. My guess is that Perkins will move state place winner Tommy Hermes down to 152# where he has certified to maximize his placement opportunities. The Marion District is very crowded at 160#, whereas Hermes has an excellent chance of being a high placer or finalist here. It's something to watch for. Both Corey and Travis Smith are returning state qualifiers who have captured high places at tough tournaments. Smith (Corey that is) was 3rd at Brecksville, while Travis lost in overtime to take 4th at Medina. Both have won smaller tourneys. Cockrell, Andrews, Cooper and O'Reilly (Columbus DeSales) are the best bets to pull an upset, but whoever makes it to Columbus will be part of an impressive quartet of qualifiers.
Zmith will probably have some close bouts starting at the district level. Raber won the Dies Tourney and state qualifier Monachino trounced the highly regarded Gilmore in the first round at Wright State last year. Monachino is coming off a big win at the CIT where he beat state qualifiers Gore and Kull. Nixon is probably 4th best, but may decide to stay at 160# where he was 2nd at the Dies. One wrestler to watch is the freshman Lowery who comes to high school wrestling as a very highly touted youth wrestler. He has done better than anticipated facing Walsh's always difficult schedule. Vanni (Medina Highland), Frankino (Orange) and Walczak (Ravenna Southeast) will also be in the fray.
There are three returning state qualifiers at Steubenville, all of whom have placement potential. I like Birden the best and he could, with good fortune, be a finalist. He is a powerful athlete and it doesn't hurt that he has state qualifiers Wheeler and VanDine on either side of him in the wrestling room. Gordon lost to Travis Smith in the first round at Wright State last year, and when he fell to eventual champ Ty Morgan, Gordon was eliminated. Double elimination takes care of that in 1999. Last year Gordon ripped Birden 10-4 in the district finals, but I'm thinking the tables will be reversed this year. Steil returns to this class and he dominates his area in the southern part of this district. At Brecksville he was 7th in an incredibly difficult weight class finishing behind five other returning state placers and state qualifiers. Buck (Maysville) and Fuller (South Point) are dark horses here.
The Wilmington District is probably weakest. I saw Garver at Medina and he lost 9-1 to Travis Smith on his way to a 6th place finish. He finished behind Ryder at Graham, but his tougher schedule makes him a better longterm bet for state success. Cripe and Ryder are next best with a trio of others behind them. 160#
Projected Champion: Terry Smith (Buckeye Local) Top Contenders 2. Santee (Perry) 15. VanDine (Steubenville) 3. Coe (Clyde) 16. Briggs (Lima Shawnee) 4. Gilmore (Galion) 17. Jones (Olmsted Falls) 5. Avery (Milton Union) 18. Warnock (Maumee) 6. Mauser (Aurora) 19. Stanford (Benjamin Logan) 7. DeLuca (Norwalk) 20. Fulk (New Lexington) 8. Knull (Graham) 21. D. Hermes (Perkins) 9. Magee (Springboro) 22. Meggyesy (Triway) 10. D. Grove (Claymont) 23. Daugherty (Bethel Tate) 11. Moran (Kenton) 24. Sowers (Cambridge) 12. Canty (Columbus DeSales) 25. Delaney (Ravenna) 13. Sveda (Walsh Jesuit) 26. Jameyson (Wellington) 14. Cooper (Paulding) 27. Thomas (Watkins Memorial) 28. Grimsley (Twinsburg)

This is a very strong and competitive weight class, but also one with a lot of unanswered questions. Questions such as:
1. Can an Eastern District wrestler win a state when that area has been shut out for the past three years and has had only two champs in the last five?
2. Can state runner up Adam Santee bounce back from a season-long injury and compete at the highest level?
3. Will three-time state qualifier Gilmore close a very successful high school career by winning at the state level where he currently stands 0-4 having been outscored 45-6?
4. Have I seriously underrated Cory Coe and will Tommy Hermes eventually decide to compete here after all?
5. Can Artie Mauser move up to Division II and be as productive as in the past?
These are just a few of the issues that will eventually be resolved as we move toward March 6.
My choice is the athletic Terry Smith, who finished a strong 3rd at this weight class last year. His only loss was a 6-2 decision to eventual champ Becks and he pinned Ryan Hieber for 3rd. This year he has been every bit as good, and he will need to move up to the next level by March if he is to beat this starstudded field.
The Steubenville District has some good depth. VanDine and Grove are both former state qualifiers with a wealth of experience. Smith cannot overlook either of them although he did catch VanDine with a fall in 36 seconds in the district final. Fulk will challenge for the state berth that eluded him last year, while Sowers won at Sheridan and Barnesville and was a strong 2nd at St. Clairsville.
Santee was a big surprise last year as he won narrow quarter and semifinal bouts at the district level before losing a 10-6 bout in the finals. At the state level he did much the same thing losing in the finals to Biel again but by only a 1 point margin. How this long layoff will impact him to too difficult to discern, but if he can shake the rust off he will be a lot fresher than his competition.
Mauser was a sure champ at either 160# or 171# in Division III, but Aurora has finally, inevitably grown into a Division II school. Still, Mauser, a state placer last year, can wrestle with anyone here. He is a devastating early round wrestler who can score points quickly. The remainder of the Firestone District after Santee and Mauser is not nearly so strong. An exception is Moran who has good upset potential. State place winner Jameyson has struggled at this higher weight class and looks not to be a factor.
You'll not want to draw into the Wilmington District at this weight class. State place winner Avery is a dynamo who pins a huge percentage of his opponents. His two weight class gain seems not to have impacted him at all. Knull was the district champ at 171# last year, but has dropped to a more optimal class this season. He nipped Magee at Graham and was a solid 3rd at Medina defeating Canty in the process. The only puzzlement was his semifinal bout with Schweda where he was turned at will before eventually being pinned. State qualifier Magee is also very good, but the fourth berth is wide open. Any that I've rated could be challenged by Linkhofer (Bellefontaine), Parker (Valley View), or Freeman (Western Brown).
The real donnybrook will be at Marion. At various times, I've had Gilmore and Coe as my projected champion and neither of those choices are low probability events. Gilmore has been outstanding all year capped by the OW award at Marion Harding. Like Skoch, he needs to win that first one at Columbus. Coe is very tough. He was leading 8-1 in his placement match when he was called for an illegal slam and when Mark Lensman could not continue Coe was disqualified. That was a pivotal moment not only for Coe but for the team championship as well. Lensman quickly recovered and won two more bouts to finish 3rd, earning just enough points for Graham to win the team title over Lake Catholic by 2 points. Coe could easily win it this year. State qualifiers DeLuca and Briggs are also back, along with CIT champ Canty and the undefeated Cooper. Canty, in particular, seems a dangerous foe to me. As I said, if Tom Hermes also competes here this will be very much akin to a slightly smaller state tournament. 171#
Projected Champion: Ryan Hieber (Galion) Top Contenders 2. White (West Holmes) 14. Montano (Oak Harbor) 3. Kosch (Paulding) 15. Franz (Kenston) 4. Jones (Walsh Jesuit) 16. Edwards (Steubenville) 5. Weimer (Springboro) 17. Christophel (Hamilton Ross) 6. Shrewsberry (Ravenna) 18. Bowen/Burkhart (Watterson) 7. Scholes (Lake Catholic) 19. Dalton (Bellbrook) 8. J. Grove (Claymont) 20. Shonk (Sheridan) 9. Harmon (Norton) 21. Hurd (Milton Union) 10. Miller (Hebron Lakewood) 22. Thomas (John Glenn) 11. Klepacz (Tipp City) 23. Garland (Miami Trace) 12. Farmer (Fairfield Union) 24. Rodriguez (Orange) 13. Villers (Canal Fulton NW) 25. Moyer (Eaton) 26. Baird (Marysville)

One of the outstanding features (and charm) of Division II this year is that there are no sure individual winners. There aren't people like Clark Forward, Mark Jayne, or Jared Opfer who you can be 90% certain that they will win. About the closest to that level of surety is Ryan Hieber who appears ready to capture his first state crown. A brilliant free styler, he is already a two-time state qualifier who has had the misfortune of competing at some excellent weight classes. He was 4th last year in a competition with state champions Mark Becks and Shawn Brightman. This year the Ohio State signee will be the one everybody will be gunning for.
Hieber's toughest foe may well show up early at the Marion District. Jeremy Kosch was a state semifinalist at this class last year and is undefeated in 1998-99. He is a very big 171 pounder and may be vulnerable in the early rounds when he has just made weight. A devastating pinner, he does not wrestle quite as good a schedule as Hieber, but that should not be a big factor. Both boys have great workout partners (Gilmore and Cooper) and they could meet two weekends in a row.
The undefeated Dave White heads a solid group at Steubenville. White was one win from state qualification last year, but has put it into a special gear this year. He easily won at Smithville and shut out his last two victims in the tough Brecksville Tourney the latter win over the tough Hasenohrl. He has been very impressive, although he has had recent injury problems. State qualifier Grove has rebounded from a slow start and should qualify, while Edwards, Thomas, Shonk and Garland vie for that last state ticket.
A Smith won both the Firestone District and state title last year, and now it may be time for the Jones boy to do the same. P. J. Jones has won a lot of big bouts this year but with Walsh's schedule, they've generally been in some distant state. Nevertheless, this very powerful junior seems ready to grab a high place at Columbus. He beat both Grove and Shrewsberry at the state duals, but didn't get White who was not competing. He could be a key factor in a Walsh title tun. Shrewsberry has had to wait his turn at Ravenna, but he opened his first week with a title at Solon. Very tall, he's difficult to figure out. Scholes missed the early season events, but is undefeated in about a dozen bouts including a CIT title. I like Harmon a lot and Villers is also impressive, and they combine with others to form the top quintet. In addition to those listed, Savel (Ashtabula Edgewood), Mazzella (Olmsted Falls) and Miller (Revere) could cause problems for the top five.
Weimer stands well above the field at Wilmington. He was one win from qualification last year, but should have no problems this time. He is the only competitor here with reasonable placement potential. Being a district champ should get him a good pairing and start him off on the right foot. 189#
Projected Champion: Brad Bauer (Ravenna) Top Contenders 2. Pentorn (Perkins) 14. (Paulding) 3. J. Hart (Springfield Shawnee) 15. Karnehm (Dayton Christian) 4. C. Hart (West Holmes) 16. Strotman (Roger Bacon) 5. Canale (Canfield) 17. Botsford (Ravenna Southeast) 6. Coleman (Beaver Local) 18. Asbury (Tipp City) 7. Snare (Oak Harbor) 19. Wilsterman (Claymont) 8. Verner (Walsh Jesuit)Griffiths 20. Fruth (Napoleon) 9. Sanders (Milton Union) 21. Rings (Marysville) 10. Newell (Meadowbrook) 22. Alferio (Firelands) 11. Sinning (Van Wert) 23. Conner (Clyde) 12. Didion (Bellevue) 24. Larson (Canton South) 13. Reed (New Lexington) 25. Lackmeyer (Purcell) 26. Volpe (Louisville)

The idea that, in principle, the future of the Universe is completely determined by its present state is usually associated with LaPlace. Chaos theory has shown the impracticability of such determinism in classical physics, and in most cases it doesn't work too well in wrestling forecasts either. I think it is likely that this weight class could devolve into a twoman contest between Bauer and Pentorn. An indisputable fact is that in their only meeting this year, Pentorn won a 14-11 decision. I still think Bauer is likely to win it all even though I know this will get me a half dozen emails from Laren Wikel.
Bauer is a big, rangy 189 pounder who has wrestled superbly all year. A state qualifier as a sophomore at Rootstown, he transferred to Ravenna before his junior year and enjoyed a fine season until districts, when things unaccountably soured and he finished one place from qualification. This year at a more natural weight he has been even better. He must avoid the endofthe year blahs that seem to strike Ravenna more often than others, but I think the Pentorn match will be just the right wakeup call. Besides, how can I pick against a guy with the initials B.B.
Don't get me wrong, Pentorn is an excellent junior. He has not lost this year and Perkins wrestles a relatively rugged schedule. Last year he won two state bouts and gave eventual champ Dave Smith a tough match before losing 11-9 in the quarterfinals. Bauer is the bigger boy but Pentorn might be a shade quicker. It would be nice if they were separated, but they have not earned that privilege, so it will be up to the gods of randomness.
John Hart is easily the top contender at Wilmington and has finalist potential. He'd like to see both Bauer and Pentorn in the other half of the draw to maximize his own chances. He, too, is a very big 189 pounder whose only loss was an early season thumping by the excellent Division I wrestler Dan Salmon. Sanders is a good second choice, but the other two qualifiers will get to the consolation rounds early at Columbus.
Pentorn should dominate at Marion, but that's not a totally sure thing. He defeated Snare 14-10 in the dual so it does not stretch credulity that an upset could occur here. Sinning and Didion both have a lot to offer, but Griffiths has been solid and could grab a qualifying spot. Despite its great overall record, a Northwest District wrestler has won this weight class only once since this weight class was introduced in 1988 (full credit to those identifying Frank Workman of Vermillion).
Jason Newell won two state bouts last year and should do at least as well this year. He is the defending district champion and has dominated competition along the river except for Coleman. A big question mark is state qualifier Chris Hart who has not competed for some time due to injuries. We've been looking for a HarttoHart match up for a couple of years, but now it may not happen. Coleman has come on strong at midyear and may yet be the best here. Reed and maybe the erratic Wilsterman will have a good shot at qualification if Hart cannot compete. If Hart, Newell and Coleman qualify, this will be a formidable trio.
Bauer should have little trouble at Firestone with the possible exception of Canale. Since they exit the same sectional, they should be apart at the district level. That sectional, in fact, also contains Botsford, Larson, Volpe and Smith (Minerva), eliminating some good quality very early in the process. Verner is almost a petite 189 pounder, but had to move up because of Jones. His persistent attacks have won him a lot of bouts at this class and he should qualify out of this relatively weak weight class. I'm sure this will not thrill Bauer, but my second choices have won three times in the last five years at this class. 215#
Projected Champion: Andy Hampton (Ravenna) Top Contenders 2. Sparks (Howland) 16. Groll (Napoleon) 3. Jackson (Tipp City) 17. Faubion (Bethel Tate) 4. Williams (Trenton Edgewood) 18. Raber (Minerva) 5. Surnear (Fairless) 19. Yappel (Padua) 6. Brown (Hebron Lakewood) 20. Tyrell (Galion) 7. Vrobel (Benedictine) 21. Evans (Edison Local) 8. Nixon (Milton Union) 22. Presby (University School) 9. Doty (Upper Sandusky) 23. Potridge (Oak Harbor) 10. McDaniel (Teays Valley) 24. Sosa (Clyde) 11. Menegay (Louisville) 25. Jones (Steubenville) 12. Schnittker (Perkins) 26. Taylor (Turpin) 13. Ratliff (New Lexington) 27. Smith (Watkins Memorial) 14. Hummel (West Holmes) 28. Russell (Aurora) 15. Graham (Logan Elm) 29. Cameron (Eaton)

Every year several virtually unknown wrestlers perform at such a high level that they surprise everyone. This out-of-scope performance usually comes from younger wrestlers at lower weight classes who haven't yet hit the radar screen. However, last year, Drew Sparks came forth at 215# to make the state finals and bring home a runnerup trophy. I had him ranked 14th, but I'm guessing most of my readers had never heard of him.
Well, he's not unknown today and the defending Firestone District champion and state runner up will be a target for every 215 pounder in the state. As always, Howland wrestles a schedule that is virtually invisible to me, but I have Sparks with only a single loss and that to a Pennsylvania wrestler. One huge advantage he has is his ability to pin he had three of them last year at Wright State.
Still, I'm not convinced he will beat Andy Hampton. Hampton had a strong season which saw him wrestle well early on, but fade for a while possibly because of a sharp cut to 189#. After winning a sectional crown, Hampton barely won a 12-11 district quarterfinal bout, but then lost to Corrigan and Novakovich to fall to the 5th/6th state qualification bout. Winning that one took him to Wright State where three decisions (two by a single point) put him into the finals where Corrigan brilliantly defeated him 16-9. Hampton looked great at Solon this year, but was 2nd at the WRC losing to Tanner. He and Sparks should be a fabulous matchup with each boy winning one I think Hampton's will be at Columbus.
Surnear, who I rate 3rd best at Firestone, has been injured and may not compete. That expands the horizon for a whole host of contenders. I like the aggressive Vrobel and believe he'll capture a spot. The rest are wide open with those listed plus Dinehart (Lake Catholic), Wlodyka (NDCL), Indriola (Walsh Jesuit) and Gantz (Avon Lake) in the hunt. A surefire repeat qualifier would have been Tony Salisbury (Norton) who moved to Florida last summer. He won four bouts at Wright State while placing 5th.
There are four returning state qualifiers at Wilmington, but only three, at best, will get to Columbus. State placer Jackson leads the way after winning three bouts to grab a 6th. Sparks pinned him in the quarterfinals. Williams and Nixon are my other two favorites to go and both could place. I'm reasonably sure that this district has never placed all three of its qualifiers at any weight class.
There are four returning state qualifiers at Marion, but none of them are safe. The excellent Doty and the sophomore Schnittker are real threats here, while Potridge and Tyrell (who lost 7-0 pounds to make the weight) are capable of the big upset. Randy Brown might be best here although he does not wrestle a particularly vigorous schedule. A surprise here might be state qualifier McDaniel who, as of late, has shown some excellent results. Last year he had a brutal state draw catching eventual state champion Allen and Salisbury back to back. Sosa, who I thought would be a contender, is apparently injured and unable to perform at his normal efficiency. Should he rebound rapidly, he'll blow that low rating out of the water.
State qualifier Ratliff is nominally ahead at Steubenville, but Hummel and state qualifier Graham have had big years. Hummel, in particular, has been outstanding winning at Smithville and making the finals at Brecksville. Still, any in this qualifying group will struggle to place at Columbus. Hvy.
Projected Champion: Tim Anderson (Clyde) Top Contenders 2. Williams (Purcell) 15. Cottrell (Claymont) 3. Miller (Franklin) 16. Tomaino (Canfield) 4. Keenan (Watterson) 17. Ryan (Lemon Monroe) 5. Martin (Shelby) 18. Benner (Van Wert) 6. Keiner (Sheridan) 19. James (John Glenn) 7. Dawson (Wellington) 20. Thompson (Walsh Jesuit) 8. Sonnie (University School) 21. Lane (Milton Union) 9. Thurston (Teays Valley) 22. Gilstrap (Columbus DeSales) 10. Angelica (Steubenville) 23. Steiner (Orrville) 11. Welch (Eaton) 24. Bryant (Olmsted Falls) 12. Wolf (North Ridgeville) 25. Thorbahn (Oak Harbor) 13. Gintz (Dover) 26. Grothjan (Springboro) 14. Crock (Ravenna Southeast) 27. Beuschlein (Indian Lake)

You couldn't have a much better year than Tim Anderson had last season. He finished 47-0 including a 93 second pin in the state finals over Franklin's Jeremy Deaton, but it wasn't all easy. He had his share of close bouts, but each time was able to create the winning idea. This year his only loss was, ironically, to Deaton's substitute last year, Nick Miller, who took him down in overtime for a 6-4 win. Still, I think Anderson will win again, but it won't be easy since I foresee at least three principal threats. Additionally, of course, a mistake at heavyweight against any districtlevel heavyweight can result in painful defeat. One fact about Anderson, he seems to struggle in the early rounds and then gain momentum. You'll want to get him early since he pinned in both the semifinals and finals at both the district and state level.
Clearly, Miller is a significant threat. His confidence has to be much greater and the mystique of wrestling a state champion is no longer there. However, Miller isn't even the best heavyweight at Wilmington. Steve Williams has already won the SWOCA this year and was a state qualifier last season, where he met Anderson in the quarterfinals losing a close 4-2 bout. He then lost a 1-0 bout to Kobus and was eliminated. Both of these boys are 10 to 15 pounds heavier than Anderson, but are not quite as mobile. Miller also is wrestling for the first time at the varsity level, but that overtime win certainly indicates his ability to manage a bout. The rest of this district is well behind this top pair.
Keenan was 3rd at Medina losing a one point bout to Stepanovich and then won the CIT over Roger Miller. He is Anderson's biggest district challenge. Last year they went into double overtime where Anderson racked up a fall at 8:27 the latest I've seen under our current format. Keenan then lost another overtime bout in the consolation round and failed to qualify. While he is very tough to score against, Keenan needs to find a way to score more against good competition. Also at Marion is state 6th place finisher Thurston, but I believe the excellent Martin has moved ahead of him. There were a lot of good heavyweights in the Northwest District last year and Martin was certainly in that number. He was a district semifinalist, but then was decked by Anderson and lost twice more (once in overtime) to misqualification. Zenith Milton (Columbus East) and Spurgeon (Swanton) are two others that have caught my eye.
There is a lot of parity at Steubenville with four or five heavyweights all at close to the same level. State qualifier Keiner returns, but Angelica, Gintz and Cottrell are all a year better. I expect this contingent to struggle after first round action. They'll need to pick it up if any are to have placement chances.
In the same manner, I believe Firestone may be overmatched at Columbus. Division III state qualifier Dawson was 2nd at Medina and he checked in at right about the 275pound limit. District champ Sonnie also returns and he continues to wrestle smart, heady matches. He punishes mistakes. Wolf and Tomaino are both good, but the surprises may be Crock and Thompson. The latter is quick and mobile and may be able to out flank and out hustle heavier foes, while the latter has become a surprise factor at Walsh. It is not true by the way that he is former Walsh state champion Brett Thompson's little brother. Other heavies not listed but worthy of mention are Valvoda (Kenston), Morrison (Aurora) and Silvidi (Hubbard).