The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Titans shine at Kickoff Classic
Lorain finishes fourth in nine-team field; Elyria’s Shawver gets title
Nine area teams started their seasons at the Lorain Kickoff Classic on Dec. 2, with Lorain (270) finishing fourth as the highest local team. Cloverleaf (395) won the team title, while Perkins was second (348.5) and Parma third (273.5).
The Titans had five wrestlers finish in the top three in their respective brackets. Junior Shawn
Petty Jr. (160) placed second after losing his finals match in a 12-0 major decision to Cloverleaf’s Caleb Cass, but Petty went a strong 7-1 overall for the weekend.
Teammates Khalil Brown (138) and Steven Reese (126) both also finished as runner-ups. Senior Blake Bartlome (106) came in third, and senior Brando Inchaurregui (113) placed third after a 10-6 decision win over Perkins’ JD Thom.
“I’ve got a lot to improve on,” Inchaurregui said. “My work ethic recently hasn’t been the best. I’ve learned that not everything is all fun and games and it’s time to improve for the big tournaments down the season.”
Inchaurregui, a district qualifier last season, emphasized that he has a different attitude this year — something his coaches have harped to him about.
At times in the past, he has gotten frustrated with his matches and lost his cool. This year, a trip down to Columbus will require discipline for him. “They want us to take these tournaments seriously,” Inchaurregui added. “And at the end of the year, sectionals and districts, that’s when they want us to be on top of our game. That’s why I’m glad to get these ugly losses out early and work our way up.
“I’m aiming for state this year because I know when I get there I’m going to need to flip a switch and hopefully I flip it at the right time. I sometimes lose my cool, so hopefully I won’t.”
Despite losing state qualifier Aaron Huff to graduation, Lorain returns five seniors in its lineup, and Inchaurregui wants to propel them to great heights.
“I would love to have a chance to bring an LEL title back to Lorain and we can still be a strong team,” he said.
Elyria sophomore and state-placer Dylan Shawver (113) cruised to a title, defeating St. Edward’s Hudson Poole in a 15-5 major decision. Shawver took a methodical approach, going three periods to take out Poole, and went 6-0 for the weekend, including four pinfalls.
The Pioneers finished ninth (152) and also had Ben Doehr (152) place second after a 7-1 weekend.
“I came into this tournament to work on my stuff and get ready for Walsh Ironman,” Shawver said. “I wanted to see what I can do and work on. I’m a lot better on bottom than I was last year and got better at my feet. I just want to keep improving.”
Fairview, which finished 18th, had one individual champion in sophomore Matt Kaufmann (120). Kaufmann topped Brookside’s David Ocasio in a 10-7 decision.
“I got kind of lucky that he rolled on his back,” Kaufmann said. “It’s pretty cool, I wasn’t expecting to place. I didn’t cut at all and I weigh 120 every day. It’s nice to win.”
Lutheran West junior Parker Watson picked up a 138-pound title, defeating Lorain’s Brown in a 16-5 major decision. Watson went 6-0 overall.
“He’s the quickest wrestler I may have ever wrestled by far,” Watson said. “Last year at this tournament, he pinned me in the first period. My mentality was to come back stronger, get revenge on kids and get better in the process. This title is a big confidence boost. Not making the state was disappointing last year and to get off to a good start, it makes me feel better about myself.”
Westlake placed seventh overall (182) and had Isaac Carmichael (145) and Matt Hardy (152) place third. North Olmsted was 10th (151), Brookside 12th (146), including a third place from Chas Jackson (138). Clearview was 16th (111), and senior JD McCardle lost his finals match in triple overtime to Perkins’ Kyler Capizzi, 3-2. Columbia was 17th.