Wrestling: Inside the Medina Sectional

Wadsworth prevailed from what appeared to be one of the tougher sectionals in the state Saturday. Five league champions were competing at Medina High School.

Here are the results by weight class with each wrestlers who is ranked in the Brakeman Report and by Josh Lowe at Intermatwrestle.com. Lowe is better known as "Bucksman."

I have also supplied a few notes on a couple of the weight classes. The top four from each weight class advanced to districts. Fifth place is the alternate.

103 pounds

First: Sonny Shump (Bar) dec. Brandon Jones (Wad), 7-4; Third: Tommy Pruchinski (Bre) pinned Jake Demio (Str), . Fifth: Zack Taylor (Bru) dec. Ben Soltis (Cop), 6-2.

Ranked wrestlers:
Barberton -- Sonny Shump, freshman
Brakeman: NR
Bucksman: 16

Wadsworth -- Brandon Jones
Brakeman: 15
Bucksman: notable

It’s safe to say Shump has Jones’ number. He has beaten him three times now, including last week for a Suburban League title.

112 pounds

First: Cobey Fehr (Bar) dec. Mike Griffith (Med), 8-4. Third: Alfredo Gray (Wad) dec. Kevin Scholtz (Str), 5-1. Fifth: Anthony D’Amico (Bre) pinned Ben Salschak (Fir), 2:22.

Ranked wrestlers:
Wadsworth -- Alfredo Gray
Brakeman: 6
Bucksman: 5

Barberton -- Cobey Fehr
Brakeman: 23 (as a 103)
Bucksman:

Medina – Mike Griffith
Brakeman: 12
Bucksman: 6

Barberton features a nice one-two punch at the top of its lineup with Shump and Fehr, especially since the lower weight classes are a weak spot for Wadsworth.

Gray put himself in a tough position by losing to Fehr in the semifinals, but he responded with a pin of Firestone senior Ben Salchak to keep himself in contention and, eventually on to districts.

It was Gray who beat Fehr by a 3-1 score in overtime to earn a Suburban League title last week.

``That is why it is tough to bring a lot of your league into your sectional cause then you start learning styles and you start thinking too much,’’ Wadsworth coach John Gramuglia said. “Alfredo’s never been to state yet either. So he is learning his way.”

119 pounds

First: Kagan Squire (Wad) dec. Mitch Baran (Bar), 5-1. Third: Al Ewing (Med) dec. Michael Bolger (Str), 14-6. Fifth: Justin Wiezbiski (CF) dec. Stewart Lindgren (Fir), 5-1.

Ranked wrestlers:
Wadsworth -- Kagan Squire
Brakeman: 2
Bucksman: 2

Brecksville – Mitch Baran
Brakeman: 14
Bucksman: 11

125 pounds

First: Scott Hysell (CF) dec. Dylan Good (Bre), 3-2. Third: Anthony Bable (Fir) inj. def. Zach Getto (Med) Fifth: Christian Baughman (Wad) dec. Kyle Perri (Str), 6-4.

Ranked wrestlers:
Firestone – Anthony Bable
Brakeman: 26
Bucksman:

Unfortunate circumstances prevented Wadsworth sophomore Christian Baughman from advancing to the districts. Baughman was disqualified from his “go-to” match for what was deemed an illegal slam on Medina sophomore Zach Getto.

Getto, who was removed on a stretcher and taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons, was awarded the spot in next week’s districts should he be able to wrestle.

Getto returned to the tournament before it was over, wearing a neck brace.

Baughman, who finished fifth by beating Strongsville sophomore Kyle Perri 6-4, is the alternate in the weight class should Getto not be able to continue.

Getto’s health was of utmost concern to Gramuglia, but the situation also offered a chance to teach a valuable lesson to his wrestlers: take advantage of every opportunity because odd things can happen in the tournament.

``Those are things kids don’t think about; how crazy scenarios happen,’’ Gramuglia said. ``That is why you want to get on the mat in the sectional and district and get off the mat. If you can pin you pin. If you can tech them, tech them. Then get out. Because crazy things happen in matches.’’

130 pounds

First: Colin Taylor (CF) dec. Matt Hammer (Med), 8-4. Third: Zach Walker (Cop) dec. Cory Jones, 16-8. Fifth: Quinton Hiles (Bre) pinned Austin Rice (Bar), 4:25.

Ranked wrestlers:
Wadsworth -- Cory Jones
Brakeman: 15
Bucksman: 13

Cuyahoga Falls – Colin Taylor
Brakeman: 19
Bucksman: 10

It was a nice showing for Cuyahoga Falls, as they crowned back-to-back champions in Taylor and Hysell. Five wrestlers qualified for state overall and they scored 116 points as a team.

135 pounds

First: Louden Gordon (Wad) major dec. Matt Meuer (Med), 15-4. Third: Connor McMahon (CF) dec. Eric Brooks (Str), 8-6. Fifth: Mike Marotta (Bre) dec. Jon Marshall (Cop), 2-1 (OT).

Ranked Wrestlers:
Wadsworth – Louden Gordon
Brakeman: 5
Bucksman: 4

Cuyahoga Falls – Connor McMahon
Brakeman: 9
Bucksman: 9

Copley – Jon Marshall
Brakeman: 24
Bucksman:

Medina – Matt Meuer
Brakeman: 8
Bucksman: 8

140 pounds

First: Nate Ball (Wad) dec. Jon Garrison (Cop), 5-2. Third: Jacob Stephens (Bru) dec. George Saridakis (Bre), 3-2. Fifth: Nick Chzanowksi (Str) major dec. Sam Hymes (Bar), 9-1.

Ranked Wrestlers:
Wadsworth – Nate Ball
Brakeman: 4
Bucksman: 4

Copley -- Jon Garrison
Brakeman: 19
Bucksman:

Strongsville – Nick Chrzanowski
Brakeman: 22
Bucksman: 16

145 pounds

First: Brad Squire (Wad) dec. Kyle Roddy (Bre), 12-3. Third: Josh Tomayko dec. (Cop) Jake Piatt (Med), 4-1. Fifth: Taylore Thornton (Bar) forfeit Mike Benson (Nor).

Ranked Wrestlers:
Wadsworth -- Brad Squire
Brakeman: 1
Bucksman: 1

Medina – Jake Piatt
Brakeman:
Bucksman:

Nordonia – Mike Benson
Brakeman: 9
Bucksman: 7

Brecksville -- Kyle Roddy
Brakeman: 5
Bucksman: 5

Copley – Josh Tomayko
Brakeman: 25
Bucksman: 10

With so many quality wrestlers in this weight class, someone had to give. It definitely wasn't going to be Squire, who many pick to be this year's state champion.

"I thought that was the toughest weight class,'' Gramuglia said. "He is making it look easy isn’t he? That’s how tough he is.’’

Nordonia's Benson failed to make the qualifying four.

152 pounds

First: Clay Wenger (Wad) dec. Teddy Hammer (Med), 6-3. Third: Kyle Swan (Str) dec. Hughes (BRU), 11-4. Fifth: Marshal Wilet (Bre) dec. Terrell Glen (Nor), 6-2.

Ranked Wrestlers:
Wadsworth – Clay Wenger
Brakeman: 6
Bucksman: 5

Medina – Teddy Hammer
Brakeman: 10
Bucksman: 16

160 pounds

First: Sheldon Brandenburg (Wad) dec. Tyler Tesny (CF), 12-3. Third: Alex Pangrace (Str) dec. Josh Linden (Bre), 11-4. Fifth: Pat Kovacs (Clo) pinned Ian Keil (Nor), 4:02.

Ranked Wrestlers:
Wadsworth -- Sheldon Brandenburg
Brakeman: 6
Bucksman: 7

Strongsville – Alex Pangrace
Brakeman: 12
Bucksman:

Cuyahoga Falls – Tyler Tesny
Brakeman: 10
Bucksman: 8

Brecksville – Josh Linden
Brakeman: 7
Bucksman: 5

171 pounds

First: Sam Wheeler (Cop) dec. Bart Randolph (Wad), 6-3. Third: Tyler Eastman (CF) dec. Clay Angeloff (Str), 5-2. Fifth: Tevin Harvey (Bar) pinned Andrew Barr (Bre), 3:38.

Ranked Wrestlers:
Copley -- Sam Wheeler
Brakeman: 5
Bucksman: 6

Wadsworth – Bart Randolph
Brakeman: 9
Bucksman: 10

Wheeler got to finish what he started last week against Randolph in the Suburban League final, which ended due to a cut on Randolph's face.

189 pounds

First: Caleb Busson (Wad) dec. Joe Gigliotti (Med), 4-2 (OT). Third: Brian Yurko (Nor) dec. Vern Rowe (Bar), 8-4. Fifth: David Stauder (Str).dec. Kyle Morton (Clo), 4-1.

Ranked wrestlers:
Wadsworth -- Caleb Busson
Brakeman: 1
Bucksman: 2

It looked like Busson may have injured his hand during the championship bout, but he toughed it out.

215 pounds

First: Nick Tavanello (Wad) pinned Spencer Wilet (Bre), :53. Third: Caleb Curtis (Bar) dec. Trevor Stiles (Med), 4-1. Fifth: Aaron Schantz (Bar) Collin Vozar (Clo).

Ranked Wrestlers:
Wadsworth: Nick Tavanello
Brakeman: 1
Bucksman: 1

Brecksville -- Spencer Willet
Brakeman: 8
Bucksman: 16

Brunswick -- Caleb Curtis
Brakeman: 12
Bucksman: 12

Close your eyes. Imagine UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar as a 15-year-old man child. yea, that's right. an image of Tavanello popped into your head.

Heavyweights

First: Billy Vaughan (Bre) dec. Ben Buzzelli (Wad), 2-1. Third: Mike King (Clo) dec. Karl Hiss (Cop), 8-3. Fifth: Robert Antoniotti (Bar) dec. Tim Reagan (Bru), 2-1 (OT).

Ranked wrestlers:
Wadsworth – Ben Buzzelli
Brakeman: 1
Bucksman: 1

Brecksville – Billy Vaughan
Brakeman: 5
Bucksman: 4

Medina – Andy Boggs
Brakeman: 14
Bucksman: NR

Copley – Karl Hiss
Brakeman: 20
Bucksman: NR

A bit of an upset, that should only affect the seeding for next week. An inspired Buzzelli should show up then.

District placers count by school:
Wadsworth 13
Medina 9
Brecksville 8
Strongsville 7
Cuyahoga Falls 5
Copley 5
Barberton 3
Brunswick 3
Firestone 1
Nordonia 1
Cloverleaf 1