The Method Behind the Madness: Ohio Wrestling Site breaks down Division III (Part I of a two-part Series)

(above): Cam Tessari of Monroeville knocks off former Divison I state champion Steve Mitcheff at Brecksville 8-4. He's the 4th best underclassman on his own team! Photo Credit: Bob Tuneberg, Villager News.

This year, Division III has more front line strength than I can ever recall, Gambill/Kolodzik/Thome, Moore/Kusar, Wilson/Yant/Raber/Heasley, Toal/Nelson, and Opfer/Sergent/Carpenter/Pope will give Division III fans a real treat the last weekend of the season.  And then there are the underclassmen from Monroeville- who are pretty good themselves, three of whom may be the best wrestler in the entire nation in their weight, and a fourth who would be the top frosh in the state in many years.   A weight by weight look (through 140) of what to expect.  This is part I of  a two-part series.

103 LBS: PROJECTED CHAMPION: HUNTER STIEBER

1. Hunter Stieber	Monroeville	Freshman
2. Jordan Hancock	Troy Christian	Sophomore
3. Chris Yeary	Reading	Senior
4. Tyler Reed	Waterford	Sophomore
5. Derrick Adams	Madison Plains	Junior
6. Spencer Pierce	North Union	Junior
7. Dominique Barlow	Heath	Freshman
8. Cody Tschantz	Bedford Chanel	Freshman
9. Scott Spreng	Loudonville	Sophomore
10. Jarrod Strine	Hillsdale	Senior
11. DJ Ferguson	Montpelier	Sophomore
12. Seth Powers	CVCA	Freshman
13. Alex Dronzek	Beachwood	Sophomore
14. Anthony Elchert	Arcadia	Sophomore
15. Joey Hamilton	Waynedale	Junior
16. Kodie Glosser	Otsego	Sophomore

(above): In a battle of two of the nation's best 103's, Hunter Stieber of Monroeville defeats Johnni DiJulius of Walsh Jesuit 4-2. Photo Credit: Bob Tuneberg, Villager News

This and heavyweight remain the most unclear weights to me at this time.  I do expect some surprises who have “flown under the radar” to become clear shortly. 

Hunter Stieber may be the most prohibitive favorite in Columbus the final weekend of the season (except for Graham as a team, that is), not because he is the state’s best wrestler, but because he faces far less competition than any of the state’s top wrestlers.  Stieber has mastered every challenge he has faced this year, including wins against nationally ranked Johnni DiJulius, Gus Sako, and Devin Carter.  Currently rated #1 in the nation, the younger Stieber is one of three wrestlers Monroeville underclassmen who are likely not only the best in Ohio, but the entire nation.  Stieber wins by constantly putting his opponents on the defensive with solid leg attacks and is a superior technician.

After Stieber the picture could not be less clear, frankly.  On paper, Strine, with a win at state last year, should be a top three pick, but an early loss to Spreng of Loudonville bumps him down.  He could finish much higher than rated currently.  Yeary also won a match at state last year, but his results this year have not been overly impressive.  At the end of the day, I like the fact that Hancock was able to place at Brecksville including a win over Division I ranked Young of Mentor. 

The situation in the Columbus Area is particularly murky.  Junior High State Placer Barlow comes in as the third ranked wrestler in the Columbus Area, with a loss to the #2 ranked wrestler, Pierce of North Union (thanks Bucksman for bringing this match to my attention).  Derrick Adams wrestles the invisible Madison Plains schedule, but I will follow the Dispatch’s lead in ranking him first, presumably, he must have a win over Pierce and/or Barlow.  I have a hunch that Tyler Reed of Waterford may be #2 or #3, but based on high school results, I have no basis to rank him that high currently.   Last season was forgettable for him, but keep in mind he was jumping from 78 lbs. where he was 4th at Junior High State.  Presumably, this year as a bigger 103 he will be vastly improved.  The only results I can find are from the fearsome “Irish Invitational” at Bellaire where he was champion via first period fall in the finals.  He could be much better than rated.  Expect some big surprises here.

112 LBS PROJECTED CHAMPION:  CAM TESSARI

1. Cam Tessari	Monroeville	Freshman
2. Zach Tinch	Mt. Gilead	Senior
3. Joe Poling	North Union	Senior
4. Tyler Hemminger	Galion Northmor	Freshman
5. Joey Kiefer	Bedford Chanel	Freshman
6. Ricki Reynolds	Marion Pleasant	Junior
7. Cody Libengood	Troy Christian	Sophomore
8. Santino Pizzuto	Jackson-Milton	Senior
9. Zane Goldberg	Miami East	Sophomore
10. Wes Lee	Elmwood	Sophomore
11. Taylor Yoder	Martins Ferry	Junior
12. Jim Mallos	Cuyahoga Heights	Sophomore
13. Alex Glenn	Otsego	Sophomore
14. Chris Lenthold	Badin	????
15. Johnny Tolson	Delta	Junior
16. Aaron Branham	West Jefferson	Freshman

Cam Tessari was sort of like the “Fifth Beatle” going into Brecksville.  That changed big-time as he lit up Mitcheff, Robinson, and Inghram in consecutive order.  Frankly, I wouldn’t count him out against Jamie Clark or Sammy White, either- he beat Mitcheff and Robinson easier than Clark has in the past, for what it’s worth.  Displaying brilliant takedown skills and the poise of a collegian, Tessari has a vast arsenal and the skills to put points on the scoreboard against almost anyone at anytime.  He is unlikely to be seriously pushed in my view.

Once again, the race is for second place here.  The freshman Hemminger has made quite a name for himself in North Central Ohio, and bombed state placer Libengood 20-11 at State Duals.  Tinch won big against Hemminger at Marion Harding, 15-10, so he’s my choice for the #2 spot.   Reynolds is the highest returning placer here, but was beaten down at Brecksville, finishing 0-2, and has been at 119 since.  Not sure if he will be returning to this weight.  Ditto with Kiefer, who was excellent at Brecksville with a fall over Reynolds and a 4-1 win over D-II Ranked Jeff Holy, but moved to 119 for Mayfield.   Should both be headed to 119….this would be a very weak field.  Once again, I expect some new faces to emerge down the stretch here.

119 PROJECTED CHAMPION: LOGAN STIEBER

1. Logan Stieber	Monroeville	Sophomore
2. Mike Kovach	St. Peter Chanel	Sophomore
3.Jimmy Householder	West Jefferson	Senior
4. Alex Lopez	Patrick Henry	Sophomore
5. Johnny Carpenter	Madeira	Freshman
6. Justin Hall	Tuslaw	Junior
7. Travis Wooten	West Liberty Salem	Senior
8. Travis Harbert	Garrettsville Garfield	Junior
9. Colin Dennis	Lutheran West	Senior
10. Kyle Begg	Bluffton	Junior
11.Brandon Sommers	CVCA	Sophomore
12. Ryan Rayfield	Delta	Senior
13. Alex Panno	Blanchester	Sophomore
14. Mike Shepherd	Sparta Highland	Sophomore
15. Matt Stasa	Evergreen	Senior
16. Brian Merschman	Delphos St. John's	Sophomore

Even with the apparent defections of Sergent and Opfer to 125, there is a solid group of competitors here for the #2 spot (are we sensing a theme?).  However, the group here vying for second place is vastly superior to the last two weight classes.  This is the third straight weight where a brilliant underclassman from Monroeville is light years ahead of the field, and ahead of any 119 in Ohio for that matter.  Brilliant on his feet, Logan Stieber may be even better on that mat, with the some of the most brutal arm bars this writer has ever seen.  In my view, the sophomore is one of Ohio’s top five wrestlers regardless of weight class and division. 

Sophomore Mike Kovach is my pick for the #2 spot.  A state qualifier a year ago, Kovach has recorded wins over no less than six ranked Division I wrestlers (says a lot in the considering how loaded this class is in that division) including a win by fall over Scott Fuller (4th last year) and a recent 7-2 win over Mike Hillock (8th last year).   Jimmy Householder jumps up from 103 where he finished 3rd last year, and has made the jump without missing a beat, going unbeaten thus far.  How he compares to Kovach is difficult to say as they have no common opponents that I am aware of. 

#4 Alex Lopez could be a finalist as well, in which case we would see a rematch of the 2006 junior high state finals.  Finally, excellent freshman Johnny Carpenter could easily be the finalist here as well.  Though he currently has the #5 ranking, he split with returning Division I state place-winner Robert Shepherd at SWOWCA.  Preseason, Travis Harbert might have seemed like the best candidate for the #2 spot following a 4th place state finish at the 112 lb. weight.  However, his results thus far have been underwhelming, including a 6th place finish at Wadsworth where he was beaten by two unranked Division II wrestlers.  Harbert could easily get back on track and be a finalist here.  Hall, Dennis, and Wooten are other finalist possibilities.  Hall was a finalist at 103 last year, albeit in a very weak 103 lb. field.  Besides those listed, returning state qualfiers Mitchell Dandarand, Cody Thomas, and Scott Traver could all end up being factors, as could freshman Cory Campbell of Sullivan Black River.

125 lbs: PROJECTED CHAMPION: TROY OPFER

1. Troy Opfer	Sandusky St. Mary	Senior
2. Ben Sergent	Troy Christian	Senior
3. Dave Carpenter	Madeira	Senior
4. Zach Pope	Marion Pleasant	Senior
5. Shelton Morris	CVCA	Junior
6. James Coulter	Cardington Lincoln	Senior
7. Dustin Carnahan	Paulding	Senior
8. Jordan Karnes	Edgerton	Senior
9. Payton Oney	South Central	Sophomore
10. Sam Carrizales	Delta	Senior
11. Andrew Clark	Reading	Senior
12. Marco Gualtieri	West Jefferson	Sophomore
13. Danny Orrill	Bedford Chanel	Senior/Freshman
14. Tony Cardiero	Girard	Junior
15. Eli Donahue	Massillon Tuslaw	Junior
16. Nick Ziegler	Mechanicsburg	Junior

Super weight class from top to bottom- four legitimate title contenders, a solid “second tier” of wrestlers who will battle for placement spots, and enough depth that I currently have returning state qualifier Lance Johnson at #23.  My pick for the champion is perhaps the sentimental favorite, Troy Opfer of Sandusky St. Mary’s.  Opfer has state finishes of 3-2-2 with one more chance to stand on top of the podium.  It won’t be easy, but I come away more impressed with him than Ben Sergent every time I see them, and his recent win over Sergent backs that up (and I believe he leads the series between them 4-1 though Sergent won the big one).  Opfer is also the only wrestler to give Logan Stieber a close match since Ironman of his freshman year, and recently won by fall against one of the top Division I contenders, Chapman of Kenmore- which indicates to me that the transition from 119 to 125 will be a smooth one for the physically powerful Opfer.

Zach Pope of Marion Pleasant might be the most obvious choice for the #2 spot with his state duals win over Ben Sergent, but frankly, that is his only impressive performance of the season.   Outside of the that, he failed to place at Brecksville (with losses to two Division II contenders in Kostandaros and Randazzo by lopsided margins) and lost 11-7 to Flores of Eastwood, a journeyman that I’d expect any of our top competitors here to beat.  He does have a win over #1 Zach Neibert of Graham via fall, but even that is troubling.  In that match, it’s my understanding that Neibert was leading 13-2 before Pope locked up a late gator roll and stuck him.  Though he go the “W”, the fact that someone can move up a weight and post a double digit lead on a wrestler does not bode well for his state title hopes in my view.

(above): Logan Stieber punishes another opponent with his brutal arm bar series.

Meanwhile, state champion Sergent would have been the preseason choice but has had  mixed results so far this year.  He made a quick exit from Ironman, but was solid at Brecksville, winning by fall over McCombs and Kovach, and 3-0 over Division II state runner-up Papesh.  His recent win over top Division II contender Tucker Armstrong indicates to me that like Opfer, he will make the transition to 125 without missing a beat.  Carpenter is my choice for the #3 spot.  It’s difficult to know how he compares to Sergent and Opfer as the latter two are moving up from 112 lbs. last year and therefore there are no common opponents to speak of, but at the end of the day I can’t see either of them losing to Tyler Giffin, or losing by five points to Harger as Carpenter did at SWOWCA.  Still, Carpenter has a history of getting stronger as the year goes on and will certainly be in the running.

One of the year’s most improved competitors seems to be #6 James Coulter of Cardington-Lincoln.  The hard-working Coulter has made the leap from a competitor with a 2-2 record at Districts to one who can pin Division I state alternates (Farkas) and easily beat Division II state qualfiers (Devito).  Senior Andrew Clark (4th in the state last year) may prove to be underrated here, but a dismal showing at SWOWCA doomed his ranking in a weight class this loaded.   Realistically, however, there is virtually no difference between the second tier of wrestlers ranked #5-11 in my view.

130 LBS:  PROJECTED CHAMPION:  ZAC HANCOCK

Will he or won’t he drop?  That has to be the question weighing on the top competitors minds here.  Two-time state champion Daniel Kolodzik has been at 130 lbs. once this year, but has since moved back to 135 where he has beaten long-time nemesis Ryan Gambill (himself a two-time state champion).  At present time, I’m not certain of the answer to this but am ranking Kolodzik at 135 lbs.

Provided Kolodzik is not in the picture, the choice, by a narrow margin, is Hancock of Troy Christian.  Hancock can beat any 130 in this state on a given day in my view, as his 7-0 win over Brian Stephens and 8-3 win over Nick Sulzer attest to.  Like so many Troy Christian wrestlers, Hancock is solid and hard to score on, and you never see him lose a match he should have won.

The one wrestler here who can unseat Hancock, provided he goes this weight, is Vince Gualtieri of West Jefferson.  A 2006 state qualifier, Gualtieri showed flashes of brilliance last year but his season was ultimately hampered by injury and perhaps by excessive weight loss.  This year, he is healthy and unbeaten, and pulled off what may have been the upset of the season when he knocked off two-time state champion Ryan Gambill.  In that match he actually lead 8-0 at one point before settling for an 8-6 win.  It is very difficult for me to say how he and Hancock will match up but I believe Hancock to be the slightest of favorites.  

135 LBS: PROJECTED CHAMPION: DANIEL KOLODZIK

1. Daniel Kolodzik	Miami Valley	Senior
2. Ryan Gambill	Casstown Miami East	Senior
3. Jordan Thome	Troy Christian	Junior
4. Zach Zolman	Galion Northmor	Senior
5. Shane Foster	Bellaire	Sophomore
6. Josh Reindel	Cardinal Stritch	Junior
7. Ryan Smith	Tuslaw	Senior
8. Andrew Johnson	Otsego	Senior
9. Josh Malave	Lutheran West	Senior
10. Mike Eavers	Greeneview	Senior
11. Zach Noernberg	Cuyahoga Heights	Sophomore
12. Justin Young	Norwayne	Senior
13. Quenton Cooperider	Marion Plesant	Junior
14. Chris Weatherholt	Garaway	Senior
15. Thomas Fullenkamp	Versailles	????
16. Sean Prather	West Jefferson	Freshman

(above): Jordan Thome (shown here against Chase Skonieczny) cannot be counted out at 135 lbs.

Somehow, I cannot quite believe that this match will come to pass.  Both wrestlers have too much at stake and little to gain by risking a third title on a match that appears to be almost 50/50.  In my view, Kolodzik has gone around Gambill and his 5-3 win at the GMVWA illustrates that.  However, past history is on Gambill’s side, and prior to their most recent match he was something like 5-1 lifetime against him.  Just as the recent outcome has to weigh on Gambill’s mind, the prior matches have to weigh on Kolodzik’s.  I look for either Kolodzik to go down, or Gambill to go up, but for now, this is how it is.

Ohio has more great top position wrestlers right now than I can ever recall- Taylor, Stieber, Skonieczny, Palmer, Jameson….. but in a state chalk-fill of superb mat wrestlers, Kolodzik stands out as one of the best.  Against all but the best of the best he is good for almost an automatic major decision, technical fall, or pin.  To defeat him, Gambill will have to keep the match on their feet and win the takedown game.

Ironically, of the top five 135’s in the state, three of them hail from Division III (the others being Palmer and Skonieczny obviously).  #3 Jordan Thome is someone that cannot be overlooked- as last year’s favorite, Darren Boing, can attest to.  While it’s tough to not see Thome winning a title before he’s done, this isn’t the year I think.  Like so man Troy Christian wrestlers, Thome is a fundamentally sound wrestler who seemingly never blows a match he should win.  Knocking off either of the big two will be a big hurdle, however.

After this, there is a big dropoff, with Zolman being the next best.  I expect big things from Foster (if at this weight, he has also been at 130) but we shall see.  This weight class is fairly deep at the “qualifier” level.

140 LBS: PROJECTED CHAMPION: KEVIN CLORAN

1. Kevin Cloran	Madeira	Senior
2. Lee Schumaker	Arcadia	Senior
3. Andrew Schafer	Bedford Chanel	Senior
4. Robert Pajestka	Cuyahoga Heights	Senior
5. Josh Pfister	Sullivan Black River	Junior
6. Scott McDaniel	Marion Pleasant	Senior
7. Chris Burns	Troy Christian	Junior
8. Robert Chilson	Bellaire	Junior
9. Cody Ash	Waynedale	Senior
10. Tyler Gombash	Delta	Senior
11. Jimmy Reisz	Beallsville	Senior
12. Tony Martin	West Jefferson	Senior
13. Branden Pike	Greeneview	Senior
14. Zac Clum	Spencerville	Senior
15. Josh Neuenschwander	Dalton	Senior
16. Cody Alexander	Elmwood	Junior

This is going to be the most interesting weight for me to watch in Division III- the reason is simple- I haven’t got a clue who is going to win it.  Frankly, I think any of the top 10-12 wrestler are almost equal right now.  The preseason favorites, Schumaker, Chilson, Cloran, and Burns, have stumbled just a bit, while many of the second-tier guys have outdone themselves- notably: Schafer, Pajestka, and Pfister.  Then you have guys like Gombash and McDaniel who seem to be a different wrestler every time they step on the mat, one day on fire, another day ice cold. 

At this point my pick will be the senior from Madiera, Kevin Cloran.  One overtime takedown away from being a state champion last year, clearly, he’s good enough to win.  Just a hair behind is Lee Schumaker.  Schumaker is a three-time state placer who was very close.  Both have an early loss to an undistinguished wrestler this year, but to my knowledge, that is their only loss.  Chilson was a surprise finalist last year in a weight class of little distinction.  This year I understand he has lost to Reisz and perhaps one other time.

Meanwhile, Pajestka, Schafer, and Gombash all are in the same predicament: very accomplished wrestler at the District level who have struggled at state thus far.  Gombash is a two-time state qualifier who has never placed.  Schafer has been to Columbus three times with only an 8th placer finish his sophomore year to show for it.  Pajestka is actually a three-time state qualifier who has yet to place.  Do not be surprised if all three reverse that the last weekend of the season, or for that matter, stand on top of the podium.

Stay tuned for Part II of “The Method Behind the Madness”.

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