NDCL senior Bryce Wheatley had an important decision to make entering the OHSAA tournament: which weight class he should enter.
NDCL senior Bryce Wheatley had an important decision to make entering the OHSAA tournament: which weight class he should enter.
Throughout his senior season of wrestling, Wheatley had an amazing year in the heavyweight division.
However, in consultation with his coaches, Wheatley decided to enter the sectional tournament in the 215-pound division, totally new to him this season.
This decision turned out to be an excellent move, as Wheatley won the sectional title on Feb. 24.
Qualifying Geauga County wrestlers will next participate in the OHSAA District Championships March 1 and 2 for an opportunity to qualify for the OHSAA State Championships.
En route to qualifying for districts, Wheatley wrestled three matches and pinned all three opponents.
Afterward, he said wrestling in the 215-pound division was an adjustment, but that he quickly made the necessary changes.
“This is the first tournament at 215 this season, so a little bit different — the guys are a little lighter (and) move a little faster, so that was a little bit different for us,” Wheatley said. “But at the end of the day, got it done.
“Wrestled three matches, had three pins. First two (matches) ended in 39 seconds.”
In the finals match, Wheatley pinned his opponent from Bedford in the second period.
After Wheatley won the sectional title, NDCL Head Wrestling Coach Mike Fleeman shared Wheatley’s goals as he started the postseason.
“He came in with only one goal in mind, and that was to finish at the top of the podium and qualifying for districts,” Fleeman said. “You can’t look too far ahead, you got to take one match at a time, and that’s what he did today.”
Two other Geauga County wrestlers also won OHSAA sectional titles: Hawken’s Will Greenberg (285 pounds) and West Geauga’s Brian Denamen (157 pounds).
In order to win the title, in his semifinal match, Greenberg pinned his opponent from West Geauga in the second round. In the finals match, Greenberg again obtained a second-period pin of his opponent from Benedictine.
Denamen, a sophomore, also obtained a pin of his opponent from Geneva early in the second round of his semifinal match. Then, in his finals match, Denamen defeated his opponent from St. Vincent St. Mary, 4-3.
Further representing West Geauga, the Wolverines wrestling team brought home an OHSAA sectional team title, as well. They also tied a school record, with 11 wrestlers qualifying for districts.
Their additional 10 wrestlers to qualify for districts were Nick Kreischer (113 – 3rd), Caden Kaleal (120 – 3rd), Zander Joltin (126 – 2nd), Danny Sizler (138 – 4th), Austin Wheatley (144 – 3rd), Ethan Bartlett (150 – 2nd), Quentin Artino (165 – 2nd), Gradi Zerokata (175 – 4th), Blake Welker (215 – 2nd) and Maveric Milnar (285 – 3rd).
Chardon had six wrestlers qualify for districts: Danek Szczepanski (106 – 4th), Caden Foley (144 – 2nd), Alex Ash (157 – 2nd), Logan Shubert (165 – 4th), Will Vucetic (175 – 2nd) and Logan Webster (215 – 3rd).
Berkshire had five wrestlers qualify: Colin Hering (113 pounds – 3rd), Caden Klingman (126 – 3rd), Alex Munn (144 – 3rd), Danny Tiller (175 – 3rd) and Preston Garling (190 – 3rd).
Kenston had five wrestlers qualify: Joey Triscaro (103 – 4th), J.J. Strano (113 – 4th), Aiden Baran (120 – 4th), Charlie Cianciolo (132 – 4th) and Sean Doyle (285 – 2nd).
Chagrin Falls wrestlers who qualified for districts were Hunter Blair (132 – 3rd), Harrison Fritz (144 – 2nd) and Jake McClintock (165 – 2nd).
Cardinal wrestler Angelo Kozelka (132 pounds), who finished fourth at sectionals, also qualified.
