Brad Bournival's Top 10 SportsInk.com wrestling teams

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By BRAD BOURNIVAL

HARWELLPHOTO.COM

Senior Alex Utley (above) and sophomore Nathan Tomasello give CVCA a powerful 1-2 punch when it comes to ranking area wrestling teams.

With a month left in wrestling’s regular season, eyes start turning toward team races in both conference and postseason action.
Much like it did a year ago, SportsInk.com will get in on the action by ranking the top 10 in our area.
The rankings are a listing of the 46 teams represented on the Website and come regardless of divisions.
The area is loaded with great talent – from an individual and team standpoint – making the decisions to pare the list down is very difficult.
Until the Ohio High School Athletic Association introduces the dual meet tournament in 2012-13, a hybrid way of looking at teams is the answer.
SportsInk.com will take into account head-to-head matchups, but ultimately the state tournament wins out in the rankings.
So, without further ado, here’s the first installment:
The Top 10
Rank/School                LW      This week                                  Up next/This weekend
1. Wadsworth                 –         Beat Copley, Green                 at No. 6 Barberton, Thursday
Note: The defending state champions seem destined to win their 19th consecutive Suburban League crown.
2. Walsh Jesuit               –         8th, Final 4 of Wrestling         Ohio/Pa. Duals, Saturday
Note: With four projected state finalists in the Bucksman Report, the Warriors are a virtual lock at No. 2.
3. CVCA                            –          Off                                               Dual vs. Kenston, Wednesday
Note: The Royals lost to Crestwood, but have more potential state scorers than the Red Devils.
4. Crestwood                   –          Beat Canfield, Howland         Triangular at Willoughby South, Friday
Note: It’s hard to ignore wins against three top 10 teams in the state coaches poll.
5. Highland                       –          5th, Hephner Tournament     at Cloverleaf, Thursday
Note: The Hornets probably finish second at the Dies with state qualifier James Kunzler in the lineup.
6. Barberton                      –          Beat Copley, Green                 vs. No. 1 Wadsworth, Thursday
Note: The Magics’ road to state is very difficult. That said, very little separates No. 5 from No. 7.
7. Copley                           –          Lost to Wadsworth, Barberton  2nd at Hephner Tournament
Note: Sam Wheeler is a projected state champion and Jon Garrison should make it on the podium.
8. Medina                           –         3rd, Hephner Tournament       at Brunswick, Thursday
Note: With point scorers in Matt and Teddy Hammer and Mike Griffith, the Bees are a player in the rankings.
9. Twinsburg                      –          Off                                               vs. Strongsville, Thursday
Note: The Tigers have the opportunity to score big points with at least four primetime wrestlers.
10. Cuyahoga Falls          –          Off                                               vs. Nordonia, Thursday
Note: The Black Tigers were nipping on the heels of Twinsburg at the Dies. They’re doing it in the polls as well.