Bigger can also be a lot better

Wiederholt moves up in weight class, maintains the same techniques.

Perception and reality have become a little different for Bellbrook High School senior TylerWiederholt.

As a 152-pound junior, Wiederholt thought that anything higher in weight meant being strength won over technique.

Now a 170-pounder, Wiederholt is adjusting to the reality that — while strength is a big factor — there are other subtleties that make the growth a perfect fit for him.

“I looked at 170 and thought, oh, they are all big and strong so I better put on some strength,” said the Eagles’ lone returning state placer. “But I am finding out there is a drastic difference. There is more than strength at 170, but 152 was more technique and speed.”

Wiederholt will go one higher beginning Sunday at the GMVWA Holiday Tournament at the Nutter Center, wrestling at 182. The 57-team event begins at 11 a.m. on Sunday and again on Monday.

How the advantages Wiederholt discovered he had in finishing fifth at the Ironman at 170 translates to 182 will be interesting as he continues to be a 152 style in a bigger weight class.

“I think I have a weird style for them,” Wiederholt said. “I stay in a low stance and move and like to push the pace. I try to push the pace and use my

speed because I know I am not going to out-muscle them. In the end it is going to come down to technique.”

The low stance and fundamental techniques are somethingWiederholt picked up from drilling with state placer Ben Schramm and state champ Cameron Kelly at Bellbrook his first three years at school.

“Definitely training with Cam all those years was good,” Wiederholt said. “He was my partner growing up and I learned a lot.”

Wiederholt advanced to the finals at Holiday in 2014 before falling in the finals and expects nothing less over the next two days.

“After last year, the expectation is to get back to the finals,” Wiederholt said. “There is only one place to go from last year and that is to get first and that is the goal.”

Loaded field: The Holiday tournament will once again feature a field featuring a lot of state award winners.

In the 57-team field there are 47 returning state qualifiers, 27 returning state placers, four returning state champs, six returning state runners-up.

Tough to break through: The Holiday tournament has returning finalists in eight of the 14 weight classes, including six returning champions. In all, 24 placers return from the 2014 Holiday.

Welcome to the meatgrinder: Four weight classes look to be the toughest to come out on top.

The toughest may be 120 where four returning state placers — including three that finished in the top three — return to a bracket which includes six state qualifiers and two state alternates.

Seven returning state qualifiers, including the state champ and three placers, are in the field at 126.

Urbana’s Jack Harris — the returning state runner-up — highlights the field at 195 that includes six returning state qualifiers while all four returning state qualifiers placed at 145 with three of them finishing in the top three.

New class: Long time assistant coach — and tireless worker on the Holiday — Randy Thome and Fairmont head coach Frank Baxter will be inducted into the GMVWA Hall of Fame prior to the finals on Sunday night.

Heading out of town: While most of the teams in the area will battle it out at the Holiday, some local teams head out of town the last week of December.

Baxter will lead Fairmont at the Brecksville Holiday Tournament on Tuesday andWednesday with Dayton Christian, Lakota East and Mechanicsburg also in the field.

Beavercreek, Carroll and Miami East will compete at Medina on Sunday and Monday.

First whistle: Wrestling begins at 11 a.m. on Sunday and Monday with finals beginning 45 minutes following the final consolation match on Monday evening.