Coffman, Liberty set to compete in state duals
For Dublin Coffman coach Chance Van Gundy and Olentangy Liberty coach Mark Marinelli, the Division I state dual tournament represents an important opportunity. There’s a chance to earn team glory, and the competition figures to be comparable to what their wrestlers will face on an individual level in later rounds of the upcoming postseason.
The eight-team tournament starts at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lakewood St. Edward. Fifth-seeded Coffman will face fourth-seeded Springboro and sixthseeded Liberty will take on third-seeded Wadsworth in the opening round.
The Coffman-springboro winner will face top-seeded St. Edward or eighth-seeded Avon Lake and the Liberty-wadsworth winner will take on second-seeded Brecksville-broadview Heights or seventh-seeded Cincinnati La Salle in the semifinals.
St. Edward has won four consecutive state dual titles.
“Our goal is to win that first match and make (the semifinals),” Van Gundy said. “Springboro is solid. We all know that St. Ed’s is a power. They’re no different this year. They’re a heavy, heavy favorite, but we want that opportunity.”
Each team is guaranteed three matches, making this a valuable trip to suburban Cleveland. Coffman and Liberty advanced by winning district finals last Saturday.
“We’re just trying to compete at the highest level that we can,” Marinelli said. “We’re in good shape, we’re healthy. We actually just started practicing hard. We haven’t been practicing hard the whole year. It’s been all technical and mental.”
Coffman has qualified for the state duals for the sixth time in seven years. Its best finishes were third in 2021 and fifth last season.
Liberty competed in the district dual tournament for the first time last season under Marinelli, losing to Coffman 55-22 in the final.
The individual postseason begins
Feb. 25 with sectionals and culminates with the state tournament March 10-12 at Value City Arena. At state, Coffman and Liberty could have some rematches against competitors from the state duals.
For Coffman junior Ethan Birden, an Ohio State commit who is 33-1 this season, the state duals are a welcome challenge. He is ranked first in the state at 157 pounds by Borofanohio.net.
“This tournament gives us motivation,” said Birden. “It’s a top tournament that you get before sectional, district and state. A lot of these guys you’re probably going to wrestle in the state bracket, so you get a feel for them.”
Birden was the Division I state runner-up at 144 last season. His junior teammate, Nebraska commit Omar Ayoub, won the state title at 126 and is currently ranked first at 138, according to Borofanohio.net.
Key wrestlers for Liberty include senior Dylan Russo, a two-time state champion. The Oklahoma commit is ranked first statewide at 215, according to Boro fanohio.net. Junior Jaxson Rosselli is second at 113 on Borofanohio.net after placing third at state a year ago.
“Wadsworth is a great competitor and we match up really well with them,” Rosselli said. “It will be a fun dual and hopefully we wrestle Brecksville in the next round . ... I’m looking forward to it. Let’s go upset some people. Let’s go win.” fdirenna@dispatch.com @Dispatchfrank