The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Locals forge lengthy wrestling draft tradition
NCAA qualifiers are picked, and the owner with the most All-Americans and points takes home the pot of cash.
The Lake Catholic wrestling tradition got stronger March 10. On the final day of the Division II state tournament, Cougars senior Kevon Freeman became the school’s first three-time state champion.
Two days later, a gathering of mostly Lake Catholic alumni and former coaches, plus a few others, gathered at a Willoughby Hills home and continued to strengthen another type of wrestling tradition.
It’s a bond buoyed by a string of road trips that began 25 years ago when — by their recollection — former Cougars wrestling coach Mike Matteo and a few of his Lake Catholic buddies attended their first NCAA Division I wrestling tournament. A quarter-century later, the group has grown, and the tradition remains rock solid.
It’s further proof of the bond sports can create.
The duties of life usually get in the way for this group 51 weeks out of each year, but every mid-March these guys make one week work. That week centers around college wrestling and friendships that never die.
Some years, it’s a group of 10. Other years, it’s 15.
“Some years, it’s as many as 20,” said former Lake wrestling coach Tim Armelli, who’s spent nearly the last 20 years in the Chardon school system.
“Every year, it’s such a blast, and the guys just love it. I know I love it, and look forward to it every year.”
In most years, there are designated persons to take care of airfare, hotel rooms and NCAA wrestling tickets for the group, but this year is different.
The March 15-17 NCAA Division I Tournament is at Quicken Loans Arena. It’s a nice break for the group, but not for the one in charge of obtaining tickets. That’s usually Lake grad and 1994 state champ Todd Haverdill.
Demand for tickets for the sold-out three-day event — in which Ohio State and Penn State are expected to
contend for the team title — is high. Demand on the secondary market for prime seats for the final session March 17, in some cases, approaches $1,000.
“Getting tickets gets harder each year,” said Haverdill, who has built Brecksville-Broadview Heights into a Division I state power. “It’s even harder because there’s so many of us.”
Ten gathered at the Willoughby Hills home of Dale Kaprosy, another Lake grad and 1989 state champion who’s become a mainstay of the group. The location of the get-together on the Monday of the week of the NCAA tournament rotates
each year and is a tradition.
While millions nationwide this time of the year gather for fantasy baseball drafts, these guys conduct a college wrestling draft. NCAA qualifiers are selected, and the owner with the most All-Americans and points at the end of the tournament takes home the pot of cash. It all adds to the fun and tradition — and a break from the everyday. Perhaps no one among the group welcomes it more than Haverdill. His team just finished second in the state at the D-I state tournament behind champ St. Edward and had three individual champs. The high school
wrestling season is a long, and grueling one, even for coaches.
“The time is great every year,” said Haverdill. “It’s the week after the state tournament, so it’s the perfect time to unwind and have fun. But mostly, I just love wrestling.”
That’s why they gathered in Kaprosy’s home March 12. That’s why Armelli’s brother Tom joined the draft for the first time.
“I really don’t know what I’m doing,” said Tom with a smile.
It didn’t really matter. What mattered was friends getting together, catching up, and talking wrestling.
Others in attendance were former Lake wrestling coach Jimmy Ayers, grads Tracy and Scott Hivnor, Tim Banc and South grad Shane Mignona.
Smiles and jokes were seen and heard throughout the night. Tickets for the tournament are secured for all. Plans are set.
The week ahead at The Q is ahead of them.
“Best time of the year,“said Matteo. “Can’t wait.”
Neither can the rest of them.