Division I

Division I sectional wrestling tournament Willoughby South Feb. 23, 10 a.m. start, finals TBA

Brush, Cleveland Heights, Euclid, John Adams, Lakeside, Madison, Mayfield, Mentor, North, Riverside, South

The top four in each weight class advance to the Mentor District

There will be a high number of area wrestlers advancing to the Mentor District out of this sectional, since eight of the 11 entries are News-Herald area teams. Mentor is the heavy favorite to win the team title, though Riverside is going to be in good shape in the team race, too. Individually, the top wrestler is Lakeside 170-pounder Jacob Lagoa, a two-time state champion at St. John before transferring to his homeschool Dragons this year. Mentor’s contingent is anchored by returning stateplacer Nick Sabin (120) and the DeBoe Brothers — Nate (132) and Conner (138). Riverside’s Rocha Brothers (Chris at 113, Oscar at 126), as well as Danny Martich (145), spear-head their team’s hopes. Madison’s Shayne Magda (152) was a state qualifier last year and aims to be this year, too. South’s Josh Hendershot (170) is one of the area’s most underrated wrestlers. For Mayfield, lower weights Carlo Santoro (106) and Anthony White (113) are threats to win sectional titles. Conor McCrone, a senior at Lake Catholic, smiles after a victory earlier this season. McCrone is one of the leaders of this year’s Cougars team.

Division I

Division I sectional wrestling tournament Kenston Feb. 23, 10 a.m. start, finals at 3:30 p.m. Bedford, Hudson, Kenston, Maple Heights, Nordonia, Shaker Heights, Solon, Stow, Twinsburg, Kent Roosevelt, Walsh Jesuit

The top four in each weight class advance to the North Canton Hoover District

hosts this tournament and is the only local entry in the field. The Bombers have some strong quality wrestlers including returning state qualifier Joe Koplow (160). As a field, some of the top-ranked wrestlers in Intermat are Maple Heights’ Collin Howard (106), Solon’s Jake Canitano (120), Nordonia’s Jaivon Jones (132) and Stow’s Daniel Patten (145).

Division II

Division II sectional wrestling tournament Lake Catholic

Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m. start, finals at 5 p.m.

Chardon, Conneaut, Edgewood, Geneva, Glenville, Harvey, Jefferson, Lake Catholic, NDCL, Perry, Shaw, West Geauga

The top four in each weight class advance to the Alliance District

Lake Catholic should breeze through this tournament with a team championship and the possibility of advancing all of its entries to the Alliance District. Geneva, too, should finish a solid No. 2 in the team race with potentially doubledigit district qualifiers. This tournament boasts a pair of projected state champions (via Intermat) in Perry’s Kyle Rowan (106) and Lake Catholic’s Cole Hivnor (170). Lake Catholic 126 Conor McCrone is projected as state runner-up. Two who narrowly missed state berths last year and warrant keeping an eye on are Lake’s Dakota Ryan (152) and Sean O’Dwyer (160). Geneva has heavy hitters in Braden Bilicic (152), Brandon Thomas (195) and pin-a-holic Charlie Taylor (220). Chardon’s Jake Hamulak (113) is looking to get back to Columbus and has had a strong season. Perry’s Collin Koenig (126) is also a returning state qualifier. Expect a good number from Harvey to get out, including Elijah Rowdy (120), Carl Sicker (126), Tom Sicker (132) and Ricardo Valadez (170).

Division II

Division II sectional wrestling tournament Akron St. VincentSt. Mary Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m. start, semifinals at 12:45 p.m., finals at 4 p.m.

Aurora, Akron Buchtel, Chagrin Falls, Cleveland JFK, Orange, Revere, Akron SVSM, Streetsboro, University, Warrensville Heights, Woodridge

The top four in each weight class advance to the Alliance District

Compared to the D-II sectional at Lake Catholic, this is a much tougher road to hoe to get to the Alliance District, so local entries Chagrin Falls and University will have a harder time advancing than if they were someplace else. Teamwise, Aurora is the heavy favorite, though the host Irish have a strong team. SVSM’s Kenneth Crosby (106), Aurora’s Jack Gorman (126-132), Aurora’s Jack Garr (145), Aurora’s Dylan Fishback (152), Aurora’s Will McGhee (160) and Aurora’s Colin McNamara (195) are all projected by Intermat to be top-five finishers at the state tournament. Locally, keep an eye on Chagrin Falls’ Henry Woofter (285) and University’s Joe Averill (138).

Division III

Division III sectional wrestling tournament Independence Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m. start, finals TBA 45 minutes after conclusion of consolation semifinals

Black River, Brooklyn, Clearview, Columbia, Cuyahoga Heights, Elyria Catholic, Independence, Lutheran West, Akron Manchester, Mogadore, Oberlin, Trinity, VASJ, Wellington

The top four in each weight class advance to the Garfield Heights District

The only area team in this field is Coach Bob Mullins’ VASJ Vikings. Nate Oriani (152) and Josh Longstreet (195) will be the Vikings’ best bets to move on to the district level. Host Independence and Cuyahoga Heights could be in the running for the team title. Cuyahoga Heights’ Nolan Frye (106) Manchester’s Zach LaRue (126) and Lutheran West’s Parker Watson (138) are among the headliners here.

Division III

Division III sectional wrestling tournament Beachwood Feb. 23, 10 a.m. start, finals TBA 45 minutes after conclusion of consolation semifinals

Beachwood, Berkshire, Brookfield, Cardinal, Garretsville, Grand Valley, Hawken, Kirtland, Liberty, Newbury, Pymatuning Valley, St. John, Wickliffe

The top four in each weight class advance to the Garfield Heights District

The area will get a large number out to the Garfield Heights district from this sectional. The top individuals in the field are St. John’s defending state champ Nick Burgard (145) and David Cumberledge (170). Both are projected state champs. The team race is wide open, though Pymatuning Valley is the likely favorite. Among the top expected performers are Wickliffe’s Doug Byrne (182), Newbury’s Mitch Sanders (195), Hawken’s Jackson Reineke (120) and Will Lindsey (285), Kirtland’s Jeff Kusar (285) and Berkshire’s Jarrod Malkus (145).