Brad Bournival takes second look at state wrestling meet

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By BRAD BOURNIVAL

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Last Saturday’s state wrestling finals left reporters with a ton to talk about – that night and in the year to come.
It took a while to process all the information – as always, there’s a laundry list full of “did you see that?” moments.
It’s been a few days since the greatest show on polyethylene foam has taken place.
Three-time state titlists were crowned from the SportsInk.com area. Two-time state champions were as well, while others stepped up with another crown to keep title hopes alive in terms of being a four-time king.
We’ll break down each division and look at some of the highs and lows from the tournament, starting with Division I in terms of area action.

Division I

Team of the tournament: While the easy pick here would be Wadsworth, we’ll give the award to Medina.
The Bees broke a school record by finishing seventh overall with Ryan Hornack, Mike Griffith, Matt Hammer and Teddy Hammer all placing.
Medina has never had more than three state placers and hasn’t finished in the top 10 in the 74 years the event has taken place. Teddy Hammer was also the school’s first state finalist since 1996.
Wrestler of the tournament: We’ll stick with the coaches here and select Twinsburg’s Michael Baker over Copley’s Sam Wheeler or Wadsworth’s Nick Tavanello.
Baker knocked off the No. 1 seed Ian Korb of Cincinnati Elder at 171.
Shocker of the tournament: Kagan Squire’s 2-1 loss in overtime to Cincinnati Moeller’s Joey Ward at 125.
Squire had beaten Ward at the Moeller Duals, Ironman and State Duals coming in. The Wadsworth junior had two close matches with Ward during the season, but counted a major decision win over Ward as well.
Finals match of the tournament: Without question, it was Baker against Korb in the area.
Both competitors traded escapes in the second and third period to set up the extra session. Baker was the aggressor the entire overtime and finally was rewarded when he took Korb down near the edge of the mat with three seconds left.
Statistic of the tournament: There are two in this category. The Northeast Ohio Conference proved strong as Solon (sixth), Medina (seventh), Twinsburg (eighth) and Mayfield (ninth) finished in the top 10. It was the third year in a row the Tigers have finished in that spot.
The other thing to look at is a possible third state title for Tavanello at 215.
Tavanello is shooting to join Lakewood St. Edward’s Matt Koz and Belmont Union Local’s Koel Davia as the only individuals to win three titles at 215 or higher in Ohio history. Only Koz has won three crowns at the same weight of 215.

Area placers

1st: Michael Baker (Twinsburg, 171); Sam Wheeler (Copley, 189); Nick Tavanello (Wadsworth, 215).
2nd: Kagan Squire (Wadsworth, 125); Nate Ball (Wadsworth, 140); Teddy Hammer (Medina, 152); Sheldon Brandenburg (Wadsworth, 160).
Third: Mike Labry (Twinsburg, 125).
Fourth: Ryan Hornack (Medina,103); Del Vinas (Twinsburg, 103); Mark Gupko (Nordonia, 140).
Fifth: Alfredo Gray (Wadsworth, 130); Connor McMahon (Stow, 145).
Sixth: Jon Garrison (Copley, 145).
Seventh: Mike Griffith (Medina, 135), Matt Hammer (Medina, 140).