Projections show two state champs from area

Perry’s Kyle Rowan is the projected champion at 106 pounds in Division II, while Lake Catholic’s junior 170-pounder Cole Hivnor is also projected to be atop the podium.

Kyle Rowan is used to having a target on his back.

That comes with the territory when you’re the fourth-ranked wrestler in the nation in your weight class.

That being said, when Intermat Ohio’s state tournament projections, penned by wrestling guru Josh Lowe, came out earlier this week, it was no surprised that Rowan is the projected state champion in the Division II 106-pound weight class.

Rowan is one of two News-Herald area wrestlers projected to win their weight class. The other is Lake Catholic’s junior 170-pounder Cole Hivnor, another projected champ in Division II.

But the way Rowan looks at it, the projection means little more than an added target.

Championships are won on the mat, not on paper.

“Rankings don’t mean anything to me,” said Rowan (29-0 with 16 pins). “I know I have to work hard. I have a target on my back. That’s going to motivate me to work harder. My goal is to win a state championship. I’ll accomplish that goal by any means necessary.”

Hivnor (25-8, 22 pins) is of the same mindset. After getting a taste of state success last year, the 10th grader wants to get higher on the podium this year.

“I think it’s cool,” Hivnor said of the ranking. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice. But at the end of the day, the rankings don’t matter if I don’t go out and perform the way I am supposed to.”

Rowan was state runnerup to CVCA’s Jacob Decatur last year. But while Decatur, an Ohio State commit, is up at 113 pounds this year, Rowan remained at 106.

Rowan, who will wrestle at the Lake Catholic Sectional and the Alliance District heading into state, won titles at the Ironman, Brecksvill, Maumee Bay and Grissly Invitational this year, not to mention his third CVC crown.

Lowe points out “Alliance at 106 is extraordinarily deep with four of the top five and six of the top 11 ranked wrestlers (in D2 in Ohio) present,” at 106 pounds.

Rowan is counting on his experience last year that took him all the way to the state finals to pay off this year.

“I know what to expect now,” he said of the prestigious Parade of Champions and the bright lights of the championship round in Value City Arena. “I’m more ready for that now. I hope that’s an advantage to me this year.”

Lowe also glows about the 170-pound field in which Hivnor will be wrestling, pointing out that six returning state-placers are in the state field.

Hivnor was a semifinalist last year before settling for fifth place, which is a motivation for him.

“I woke up that Saturday morning not feeling my best,” said Hivnor, harkening back to last year. “I wish I could have taken third, but it is what it is. It’s definitely motivation to get back down there to that semifinal and win one more.”

Hivnor has wrestled at both 170 and 182 this year, with his top finishes coming at the CIT (first), Solon Comet Classic (second), North Canton (fourth) and Brecksville (fourth) tournaments.

“I felt stronger at 170, and I felt that’s where I had the best chance to win a state title,” he said.

One area wrestler who isn’t projected to be a state champion, but rather a state runner-up, is Lake Catholic’s senior 126-pounder Conor McCrone. He just doesn’t want to hear about it.

When contacted for a comment on his ranking, McCrone respectfully interrupted and said he did not want to know where he is ranked. He hasn’t looked at rankings all season, after a junior year that saw him fall short of the awards podium in Columbus after placing as a freshman and sophomore.

Lowe predicts McCrone will finish second to Beaver Local junior Cole McComas.

“I don’t even look at ‘em and I don’t wanna know,” McCrone said. “In prior years, I worried about where I was ranked, who I was wrestling and where they were ranked. This year I haven’t looked at all.

“All I know is there is no one in my bracket I can’t beat if I’m on my game. I’m just going to go, have fun and hold nothing back. It’s there for the taking.”

Rowan, Hivnor and McCrone aren’t the only area wrestlers to be ranked in their weight classes by Lowe. Others, by division, are:

Division I

Riverside’s Chris Rocha (18th at 113), Mentor’s Nick Sabin (eighth at 120), Mentor’s Nate DeBoe (11th at 132), Mentor’s Connor DeBoe (ninth at 138), Madison’s Shayne Magda (15th at 152) and Kenston’s Joe Koplow (13th at 160).

Division II

Lake Catholic’s Brendan McCrone (fourth at 106), Chardon’s Jake Hamulak (13th at 113), Lake Catholic’s Anthony Trivisonno (17th at 120), Perry’s Colin Koenig (11th at 126), Lake Catholic’s Nick Coreno (16th at 132), Lake Catholic’s Dakota Ryan (seventh at 152) and Lake Catholic’s Sean O’Dwyer (13th at 160).

Division III

Hawken’s Jackson Reineke (13th at 120), Wickliffe’s Doug Byrne (seventh at 182), Newbury’s Mitch Sanders (15th at 195) and Hawken’s William Lindsey (17th at heavyweight).