Mentor

Outlook:
This District is not quite the “Meatgrinder” anymore, but it is still probably the toughest District in Division I.  The 119 lb weight class is absolute murder, with the top three ranked wrestlers all competing, plus three other competitors in the top ten.

145: Where did the Talent Go?: 
One huge is exception is the mind-blowingly weak 145 lb. class, which features only one wrestler ranked in the top 20, #8 Matt Coleman. 

Quarterfinals:

130:  #3 Zach Mizer vs. #5 Kevin Hardy: How often does one get to see a returning state runner-up face the defending state champion in the District Quarterfinals?   Both have had somewhat rocky seasons (Hardy has six losses) but are contenders in a weight class that has no clear favorite.  Look for Mizer to redeem his surprising Sectional loss to Adam Haas and win this weight.

Semifinals:
119: #1 Tony Jameson vs. #2 Ricky Floyd:  Undefeated returning state champ Jameson will face perhaps his most formidable challenge in 2nd ranked Floyd (4th at 119 last year).  Jameson is a monster on top who scores points in bunches, while Floyd is more of a control wrestler- a low-scoring bout would favor him.  Look for Jameson to break the match open in one key flurry and prevail  

130: #7 Adam Haas vs. #8 Jordan Ciccarello: Winning this semifinal will take on even more importance since the loser will be pitted against either Mizer or Hardy, both state finalists.  A very good wrestler will not be making the trip to state at this weight! 

189: #1 Enrique Robertson vs. #3 Chris Iammarino:  This semifinal between the hard –to-score-on Iammarino and the explosive Robertson should be worth price of admission.  Look for Robertson to be hungry to prove last week’s loss was a fluke.

Finals

119:  Jameson/Floyd vs. #3 Dante Rini: Jameson and Rini have traded wins the last two years, Jameson won this year’s bout by a single point. 

189: #1 Robertson/Iammarino vs. #4 Myron Andrews: OWS will plug itself here for spotting “diamond in the rough” Andrews- (Brakeman had him 10th), who last week put his name on the map by beating Roberson and Iammarino.  Robertson is a stud, however- and look for him avenge last weeks loss in a close, low-scoring bout.

215: #2 Justin Powell vs. #3 Kyle Gantz:  Powell is one of the most improved wrestlers in the state as he showed at the Top Gun, beating #1 in Division II Ryan Nachtrab 9-3.  Gantz was state runner-up at 215 last season (in Division II) but was defeated by Powell in their dual.  Look for a repeat of history. 

Projected Champions
103: Genetin
112: Peskar
119: Jameson
125: Bryan
130: Mizer
135: Straughn
140: Newell
145: Coleman
152: Phillips
160: Heinz
171: Kilgore
189: Robertson
215: Powell
285: Piccirillo

Farfield

Outlook:
            Two outstanding teams (Moeller and Lakota West) will continue their rivalry for Southwestern Ohio pre-eminence.  However, there is not much else at this district.  

Quarterfinals: 

135-  #7 Ryan Brownlee vs. #10 Jesse Stevens: Returning state placewinner Brownlee has to be favored over Stevens given that he has wrestled one point matches with two of the state’s best (Cubberly and Lindsey), both of whom major decisioned Stevens.  However, the promising sophomore Stevens did take 2nd at Brecksville to Brownlee’s 5th, beating one wrestler (Tom Brown) who defeated Brownlee.

189- #5 Vince Dattillo vs. #12 Brendan Naylor: Returning state qualifier Dattillo has quietly piled up a 34-1 record, with his only loss a 5-4 decision to #1 ranked (in Division III) Logan Brown.  Naylor will be looking to rebound from a surprising 15-6 sectional loss at the hands of Brian Porter- a wrestler he had defeated at the SWOWCA Coaches Classic.  Regardless, both should easily qualify. 

Semifinals

 #3 Eric Cameron vs. #4 Louis Miller:  Cameron and Miller have a long-standing back and forth rivalry exemplified by splitting two one point bouts this season.  Cameron has won two elite tournaments this year (the Ironman and Powerade).  Both stand a legitimate chance to be state champion after placing last season.  

Finals:
160:  #3 Tony Bradberry vs. #2 Dean Gaier:  If history is any indication, you won’t want to miss this bout, as Gaier has previously won two action-packed bouts between these high-octane competitors.  While Gaier (a junior who placed 4th at state last year) has gotten the best of Bradberry in their previous two bouts, Bradberry has beaten the returning state runner-up (Popham) and taken the state champion (Ciraky) into overtime. 

275: #4 Lance Wagner vs. #3 Frank Becker:  This should be a rematch of last year’s District Finals and state tournament consolations, both won by state placewinner Wagner However, looking to common opponents this season Becker (runner-up at the treacherous Ironman) has twice defeated Division III state champion Cameron Wade this year while Wagner lost to him 6-2.  The gutsy Becker looks to be a legitimate state title contender and should prevail here.  Wagner seems to have stagnated, and will have to avenge an 11-10 loss to #13 Caleb Lipsey just to make the finals.

Projected Champions:
103: Touris
112: Fields
119: Adams
125: Gobin
130: Flake
135: Lindsey
140: Weinkam
145: Abdur-Rahman
152: Mahon
160: Gaier
171: Cameron
189: Datillo
215: Jameson
285: Becker

Hilliard Darby

Outlook:

275 is by far the toughest weight in this District.  The upper half-bracket alone contains six of the top 18 ranked wrestlers in the state including the #1 ranked wrestler, David Wade.  The lower bracket is no walk in the park, with #2 Barlow and #5 Nicholson, plus unranked but 35-6 Casey Gullion.      

Quarterfinals

112: #9 Alex Radsky vs. #7 Brian Stephens:  Superb freshman Stephens looks like a star in the making.  Radsky defeated him, however, by a score of 3-2 at the Top Gun, yet was upset by Robbie Nein at sectionals.  Regardless, the winner of this bout will likely be District Champion. 
 
275: #1 David Wade vs. #6 Andy Hartshorn/#11 Alan Oswalt:    By far the biggest matchup of the first round 9will be Oswalt versus Hartshorn.  Ironically, it might be better to lose this match.  The winner will have undefeated, #1 ranked David Wade in the quarterfinals- an uphill battle for sure, and then would most likely have the loser of the semifinals between #2 Barlow and #5 Nicholson in their “go-to-state match”.  Meanwhile, the first round loser projects to have #8 Antonio Jeremiah in their ‘go-to-state match” (hardly an easy road either way).  

Semifinals

275- #2 Brendon Barlow vs. #5 Torrance Nicholson: Returning state placewinner Barlow handed Nicholson is only loss of the season in the Wadsworth finals by a 3-2 score.  A master of winning the close bout, this junior suffered his only loss of the season recently at the hands of #18 Zach Crum.  He seems to be back on track, however, with an 8-4 win over #6 Hartshorn in the sectional finals. 

Finals

140- #3 Jedd Moore vs. #6 Chris Kline: We should get a glimpse of the future here- as two superb sophomores will likely meet.  Cadet National All-American Moore will look to do something that no one else has been able to do this season- defeat Chris Kline. 

#1 Anthony Ciraky vs. #4 Travis Popham:  This weight will feature a rematch of last season’s 152 lb. state finals!   Ciraky defeated Popham last weekend at Sectionals, and has, indeed, always seemed to have Popham’s number.   Look for Ciraky to capture his 3rd straight district crown and for both wrestlers to become 4x state qualifiers (very rare for middleweights). 

#1 David Wade vs. #2 Brendon Barlow/#5 Torrance Nicholson:  Whoever emerges as champion from this district at 275 will have truly earned it- and be the clear favorite in Columbus. 

Projected Champions
103: Millar
112: Stephens
119: Palivoda
125: Lybarger
130: Davis
135: Hopkins
140: Moore
145: Diyanni
152:  Shalash
160: Ciraky
171: Marrero
189: Keefer
215: Jabbie
285: Wade

Toledo Waite

General Observations:  This District will be a runaway for Lakewood St. Edward’s- they are heavily favored in no less than eight weights and ten champions is a distinct possibility.  130 lbs will feature the #1, #2, and #4 ranked wrestlers in the state- all in the same half-bracket!  For the eight westlers in the other half-bracket, making the finals will be absolutely crucial, as qualifying through the consolation bracket will require beating either Mayer, Spicel, or Gonsor.  Look for future superstar Joe Perra (a freshman with a 41-2 record) to make the finals opposite Mayer.  145 lbs. features the top three ranked wrestlers in the state- but neither #2 (Haxton) or #3 (Foore) stands much of a chance of unseating defending state champion Sean Nemec.  Of course, do not miss the dynamite Palmer brothers at 112 and 140.

Quarterfinals

130- #1 Erik Mayer vs. #2 Richie Spicel:  The big question mark will be defending state champion Spicel’s health- as he injury defaulted the Sectional finals with a reportedly sprained ankle.  He will need to be 100% to take on Mayer, who enters with a 35-0 record after dropping a weight class from last season- though he was pushed to the limit at Sectionals by the unheralded Vinnie Lopez.     

152:  #3 Brett Weisenstein vs. #6 Kyle Bertin:  Weisenstein is the co-favorite for the state title after upsetting Colt Sponseller a few weeks back.  The loser of this match should still easily qualify.  

Semifinals

130:  Mayer/Spicel v. Gonsor:  Mat wrestling specialist Gonsor defeated Spicel last spring in the off-season.  Should Spicel make it this far, look for him to win a smart, controlled bout this time.  If Mayer beats Spicel, the sparks should really fly as both Mayer and Gonsor tend to pile up a lot of points.

Finals

145; #1 Sean Nemec v. #3 Derek Foore:  A rematch of last year’s state finals, which Nemec won by a lopsided margin.  Nemec is much better on his feet than Foore- the lanky Foore will have to do his damage on top to pull off the unlikely upset.

152:  Weisenstein/Bertin vs. #1 Pycraft: Look for Pycraft to prevail in a close bout over Weisenstein with perhaps the results reversed next weekend at the Schott.  The winner of Weisenstein and Bertin will have to get past #7 Josh Kassil in their semifinals- though Bertin handled Kassil pretty easily last weekend.  

Projected Champions
103: Mitcheff
112: Collin Palmer
119: Jones
125: Sulzer
130: Mayer
135: Harris
140: Lance Palmer
145: Nemec
152: Pycraft
160: Tomasone
171: Roddy
189: Honeycutt
215: Crowley
285:Terifaj

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OhioWrestlingSite.com 2005