Wadsworth coach John Gramuglia has mentored several sets of brothers during his 26 years as leader of the wrestling program.
But he cannot recall coaching a more grounded and humble set of brothers than Brad Squire and Kagan Squire.
''I just think they are probably two of the quietest brother tandems I have had,'' Gramuglia said. ''They are all business. They are good students and good people.
''A lot of teachers come up to me and say that they were not aware that they are that good of wrestlers because of the way they handle themselves. They are very quiet in class and get their homework done. They are not very vocal. They do it by action.''
Brad is a senior at 145 pounds and Kagan is a sophomore at 119 pounds. Each played pivotal roles in helping Wadsworth win the Suburban League title on Saturday and has helped the Grizzlies compile a 15-0 overall dual record and a 7-0 league mark.
''Wrestling together has been a great experience,'' Brad Squire said. ''To have him on my team has been really cool.''
The Squires were two of the 11 Wadsworth wrestlers who won league titles. The Grizzlies, ranked No. 1 in the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association Division I State Poll and eighth in the national Amateur Wrestling News Poll, are now focused on the sectional, district and state tournaments that await the next three weekends.
''It's been a really great season,'' Brad Squire said. ''I am healthy and our team is getting along great. Everyone is wrestling really well. We have been training really hard and a lot of guys are still continuing to improve. I think we will do well these next few weeks. There is potential for growth as a team. A lot of kids can improve individually. Everyone has not wrestled their best yet at the same time.''
Brad Squire, an Ohio University recruit who plans to major in exercise physiology and pursue a career in physical therapy, has a 36-1 record this season and recently won his fourth Suburban League title. He won the state title at 119 pounds as a freshman in 2007, placed second at state at 130 pounds in 2008 and finished sixth at state at 140 pounds in 2009. He also has earned three sectional titles and two district titles.
Kagan Squire has a 30-3 record this season and recently won his second Suburban League title. He placed third at state last season at 112 pounds after capturing sectional and district titles.
''They turn it on on the mat,'' Gramuglia said. ''They are aggressive. They just know how to turn that switch.''
Gramuglia said the Squires use different styles on the mat to achieve success.
''Bradley is probably more technical and knowledgeable,'' Gramuglia said. ''He probably knows more about wrestling than most high school coaches. His mental focus is unbelievable. He is probably the best defensive wrestler in the country at his weight. He is always in the right position. He is hard to score on. If he opens it up [offensively] he can dominate this tournament. He is almost like a perfectionist on the mat. I tell him to let loose and get a little more aggressive.
''Kagan is more offensive. He is a totally different wrestler than Brad. He is very good on top. He is extremely quick and very hard to score on. He is a very seasoned wrestler for only being a sophomore.
''They are both very experienced wrestlers.''
The Squires said they each started wrestling at age 4. They both had success at youth tournaments and in middle school events.
''Both of them would love to win a state title together before Brad graduates,'' Gramuglia said.
Brad Squire is 5-foot-7 and said he uses his strength to help him on the mat. Kagan Squire is 5-foot-6 and said he uses his longer arms to his advantage.
''It's been fun,'' Kagan Squire said. ''We are working hard, but we are having a lot of fun, too.''
Wadsworth is seeking its first OHSAA state title in March since winning the title in the 1942-1943 season. The Grizzlies won their second Team Dual Ohio State titles in a row in January. Wadsworth defeated Lakewood St. Edward in each and also won a dual at St. Edward last season.
The Eagles, though, have won 13 Division I state titles in a row in March.
''Our goal is to win the state title,'' Gramuglia said. ''We are going to give it our best shot. We want to be the first public school champion [in Division I] since Nordonia in 1977, but you have to knock out the champ, as they say in boxing. I think it is going to be tough. It will definitely be exciting. It could come down to the last few matches.''
Brad Squire said a key to Wadsworth's success this season has been ''staying humble, yet remaining confident.''
''They are a gem to coach, all of them,'' Gramuglia said of the entire team. ''Not once have they had a big head.''
''We have a really great team,'' Brad Squire said. ''Our coaches have been phenomenal. They help us is in the room and are a big reason why we are doing so well.''
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