Near-misses motivate two in Division I

History is often a cruel teacher. More often than not, it’s also a tremendous motivator.

A year ago, Mentor’s Parker Brunkala and Madison’s Jeff Brichford were ever so close to earning Division I state wrestling tournament berths, only to have those dreams yanked away from them by the closest of margins.

With their near-misses as state alternates a year ago safely in their rearview mirrors, Brunkala and Brichford embarked on postseason runs on Feb. 25 that they hope this year will take them where they want to go.

The state wrestling tournament March 9-11 at Value City Arena in Columbus.

“I went down (to the state tournament) the last three years to watch,” Brunkala said. “Last year was bitter because I knew I should have been there wrestling. I’ll get there this year.”

Brunkala’s bugaboo last year was South wrestler Spencer Dusi, who beat Brunkala by one-point margins at the sectionals and districts, including a 2-1 win in the consolation semifinals — aka their “go-to” (state) match.

Dusi was at the South Sectional on Feb. 25, but it was as a fan.

“I worked all summer not to lose by a point today,” Brunkala said.

His 16-0 technical fall over North’s Charlie Burk makes him a No. 1 seed at next week’s district tournament in Mentor.

“I’ve worked a long time for this,” he said of his opportunity to be a statequalifier. “I’m ready to get it done.”

Brichford knows what it is like to come close, only to come up short.

A year ago, Brichford lost a 6-5 overtime decision in the consolation semifinals at districts to Mayfield’s Johnny Craker.

Brichford cruised through his 120-pound bracket at the South Sectional on Feb. 25, capping the effort with a first-period pin of Brush’s Nolan Washington.

Brichford said he has made it a point of emphasis this year to be more aggressive offensively in matches, especially early on so as to wear his opponent down mentally and physically.

He said he uses his close call last year at the district level as motivation, but doesn’t dwell on it.

“I don’t think back to that match,” he said. “I think what I can do this year to avoid that.”

Mentor easily won the team title at the South Sectional with 236.5 points, well ahead of runner-up Chardon (157) and thirdplace Madison (157).

The Cardinals are sending 11 wrestlers to the district level, including sectional champions Nick Sabin (106), Nate DeBoe (126), Max Hill (195), Brian Ross (heavyweight) and Brunkala.

Chardon has eight district qualifiers, led by sectional champions Ethan Ducca (138) and Sam Rocazella (160). But heavyweight Justin Stanko is not one of them, as he is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury sustained at the recent Western Reserve Conference tournament.

Madison has seven wrestlers going to the district tournament, including sectional champs Brody Arrundale (152), Bryan Zehe (170) and Brichforcd.

Riverside’s Alex French (132) and Alex Farenchak (145) also picked up titles.