The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Elyria places four wrestlers in finals
On Day 2 of the state wrestling tournament, 16 wrestlers from The Morning Journal area became state-placers, with Elyria placing a school record eight wrestlers.
Advancing to the finals matches are Brendon Fenton (120), Brendan Price (160), J.T. Brown (182) and Kevin Vough (285). Other placers for Elyria are Mick Burnett (106), Dylan Shawver (113), Josh Breeding (126), and Tristan Brady (152).
Elyria went 4-0 in the semis, and 3-1 in the quarterfinals consolations. The Pioneers stand in second place (106.5), only behind St. Edward (129).
Brown, in his quarterfinal match, took down reigning state champion Kaden Russell (St. Ignatius) in an 11-1 major decision. Brown was never challenged in his match and then topped No. 1-ranked Jared Ball (Hilliard Darby) in the semifinals, 6-4.
The look of joy on Brown’s face said it all.
“It’s the biggest win of my career,” Brown said. “I just take it one match at a time.
“And in my match with Russell, I just went out there and did what I trained for all my life. I was a little nervous but I did what I need to do. Sure there’s some pressure because it’s the state tournament but everyone is nervous. We as a team are a force to be reckoned with and it’s great to move on.”
Senior Brendan Price had a thrilling quarterfinal match against Mason’s Jack Stein, topping him in a 3-1 decision before winning in his semis match over Wadsworth’s Cody Surratt (No. 3 ranked), 4-1.
Just like his teammate, Price delivered the most clutch win of his career.
“It’s always good to make it with your brothers,” Price said. “I can’t explain how I’m feeling right now. I’m just filled with so many emotions.
“When it got to the third period, I knew I had to do something. I had to leave it all on the mat. It’s my senior year, so I had to do everything I could to win. I don’t really pay attention to who I have to wrestle, I just wrestle. It’s been working good for me. It’s a dream come true. We work hard day in and day out for this moment. Every single one of us deserve it.”
Junior Fenton (120) advanced after winning a 6-4 decision in his semifinal match over Gus Sutton (Austintown-Fitch). Fenton’s postseason is starting to resemble the one he had last year when he won a state title. Now, he’s a match away from doing it again.
“I’m very excited,” Fenton said. “I’m just going to focus on my next match and I’m going to go and get this and bring it home. Last year, since I won my quarterfinals match, all my nerves went away and I was like, ‘All right, I’m placing. Now I’m going to stay focused and keep winning.’ ”
Senior heavyweight Vough won a 3-2 ultimate tiebreaker in the semis over Jon Spaulding (Liberty Township Lakota) and looks to capture title No. 2 against Dublin Coffman’s Ben Frye in the finals.
“I was expecting a pretty good fight,” Vough said. “Me and him clashed at the Brecksville tournament and it was the same situation there, ultimate overtime. I was hoping to do a little bit better, but I came out of it on top and that’s what matters.
“Right where I want to be, but not all the way yet.
“All these guys are working as hard as they can. Excited is not the word for it. I’m driven, I’m gunning for it. I want that with all of me. I want that spot and I want to get my hand raised.”
Lutheran West senior James Handwerk (182) is on the verge of capturing his third state title after beating Tanner May (Carey) in a 6-0 Division-III semis win.
“It’s good — I’ve got another chance to finish off the season right,” Handwerk said. “Being a onetime state champion is big but to do it three times would be tremendous. Even if I lose, I’m not going to go home the next day and feel sorry for myself. I had a great career. I obviously want to win, but I’m happy with what’s happened in my high school career and where I’ll be going forward.”
Elyria Catholic’s Stan Bleich (145) finally overcame the semifinals hump in D-III after cruising to an 8-2 semifinals win over Derek Gross (Norwalk St. Paul). Bleich will gun for his first state title against Tanner Smith (Mechanicsburg).
“I’m not surprised,” Bleich said. “My coaches pounded into my head all week and all day that I’m the better wrestler. They did an outstanding job today, making sure that I wasn’t freaking out before my match, making sure I was calm and comfortable with my environment . ... They’ve been awesome.
“I won that match because of them, no doubt in my mind. There’s a new goal now … state champion. My last match to be wrestled in high school will be in the state finals and I’m just happy that I’m blessed enough to be running out on that stage tomorrow and I’m going to let the sparks fly.”
Firelands freshman Payton Burgdorf (106) made more history becoming the first Firelands state-placer since 1960 after winning a 3-2 decision in a D-II consolation quarterfinal over Trey Finnearty (Circleville). He can go for a third-place finish on March 11.
“I’m not just one of the random kids out there anymore,” Burgdorf said. “Kids are now able to know me and they can see I’m a placer. I definitely think I proved something because, honestly, it was my goal just to make it here. So to place is pretty nice.”
Amherst’s Matt Lee (285) won a 9-8 D-I consolation quarterfinal match over Alec Moore-Nash (Cincinnati Elder). Lee can earn a third place.
“I came out with a mindset of really wanting to place,” Lee said. “I feel way more confident now and going into next year I’m going to feel even more confident.”
Olmsted Falls’ Michael Shaw (106) was eliminated, but Josh Jaeckin (145) will wrestle for seventh place in D-I, while Keystone’s Garrett Coe (152) also is on podium.
Brookside senior Brad Huhn (113) lost a 7-2 match in the second-match consolations, but still leaves Brookside as a two-time state-qualifier.
“I just hope I’m able to set a tradition for my school and not look at us anymore second to everybody else,” Huhn said. “People don’t think we can do it. But everyone is always getting better in our room. Ever since I was a freshman, I’ve wanted to change the perception at Brookside. I want our program to be looked at like Elyria or St. Edward and I think we’ve achieved that. I loved my experience here.”
Columbia’s Josh Newman (126) was eliminated from the tournament as well.