Pioneers shuffle lineup, handle Brunswick

With a lot of teams battling injuries and illness, Elyria has had its fair share. But the Pioneers are showing no ill effects.

The host Pioneers shuffled their lineup and won the first three matches en route to an impressive 58-17 state duals Region 1-B quarterfinal win over Brunswick Jan. 25. The match was also a Greater Cleveland Conference match, which is something both teams agreed upon before the match.

“I’m glad the kids are coming through,” Elyria coach Erik Burnett said. “You put them in a situation — some of which are in tougher situation than others — and they came through. The kids you are expecting to get bonus points are getting them and that’s big. (It) was nice and good to see.”

Elyria freshman Bryce Allison (106) started things off on a high note, taking charge early in his match en route to a 19-4 technical fall over Alex Charvat. Mick Burnett (113), who normally has been at (106) scored 13 points in the first period before recording a 16-0 technical fall of his own over Jordan Knapp. Dylan Shawver (120) capped off

fast start, pinning Micioc Milanovic in 2:45 to give Elyria a 16-0 lead.

“I always like being at home, but it’s a little different because we are chasing a title,” Burnett said. “I just try to stay on my offense and not think about what the score is that much. I try to keep scoring points.

“The past couple of weeks have been a little bit rough trying to keep my weight down ... I try to maintain my weight as good as possible.”

Logan Heil (126) scored a 14-5 major decision over Matt Zuckerman to get Brunswick on the board, but Joshua Breeding (132) won via forfeit and Jim Schill (138) scored a pin to expand Elyria’s lead to 28-4.

Fabyon Todd (152) made his last possible match in the home gym a memorable one. Leading 6-1 heading into the third period and starting on the bottom, Todd scored a reversal and carried into a pin of Brunswick’s Liam Wissinger at 4:18.

“I was just determined on the switch I hit,” Todd said. “I’ve been practicing that (switch) a lot. I knew it was going to come in

handy.

“It (win) means a lot to me. I focus on winning and I hate losing.”

Tristan Brady (160) followed Todd’s pin with one of his own, while Brendan Price (170) ran into a very tough foe.

Nick Kiussis (170), who has been a roll the entire season, scored a takedown late in the second period. Kiussis added another one in the third period to hold on for a 5-2 decision over Price.

Price, who suffered an injury in the state tournament last year and missed even more time during this season with another injury, knows he is starting to regain his form.

“I’m glad to get back out here and do what I love the most,” Price said. “I have some things which I have to work on … I’m happy in the direction that I need to be heading towards.

“I’ve just been working hard in the room, getting ready to come back and compete.”

J.T. Brown (182) and Cameron King (195) each scored pins, while Kevin Vough capped the scoring as he won via forfeit.

Elyria will face Wadsworth, which defeated Midview 60-15, in the regional semifinals Feb. 1 at a site to be determined.