In high school sports you often see siblings follow in each other's footsteps. For instance, after one child has a successful varsity athletic career in a particular sport, another child from the same family often has varsity success in the same sport a few years later.
In high school sports you often see siblings follow in each other’s footsteps.
For instance, after one child has a successful varsity athletic career in a particular sport, another child from the same family often has varsity success in the same sport a few years later.
What is not seen as often is three siblings having great varsity athletic success in the same sport at the same time.
However, currently in the Kenston Bombers Wrestling program, three Baran family brothers are having excellent seasons as they have led their team to success.
Junior Brady Baran (36-6 heading into sectionals), the number 17th state ranked Div. II wrestler (126 pounds), was the 126-pound division WRC Champion, while older brother, senior Aiden Baran (34-11) was the 132-pound division WRC Champion.
The youngest Baran brother — freshman Carter Baran (27-10), who is currently the state of Ohio’s 18th ranked 113-pound Division II wrestler — was also the his weight division’s WRC champion.
At the OHSAA Wrestling Sectional Championships at Kenston High School on Feb. 22, all three Baran brothers qualified for next week’s OHSAA District Championship.
Brady Baran began his OHSAA Sectional Title run by pinning his opponent from Padua Francsican early in the match.
Baran then defeated Nicholas Hayes from Hawken, 16-0, in the quarterfinals and followed that match by pinning Jeremiah Brumfield from Kent Roosevelt in the semifinals.
In the finals match, Brady Baran defeated Michael Surovi from Bay, 15-0, to win the OHSAA Sectional Title.
Afterwards, the Baran brothers talked about how exciting it was for all three of them to qualify for the OHSAA District Wrestling Championships which will be held on their home mats in the Kenston Gymnasium.
“It’s really special,” said Brady Baran. “Just being with these guys all season, we worked so hard for this moment. It means a lot, there’s only one year where we’re all in high school (together). It’s crazy that we all made it to districts, it’s a great accomplishment.”
Senior, Aiden Baran added: “I’m just glad that we’re all here now, me and my two younger brothers, we’re all going to districts, and we’ll see where we can go from there.”
Freshman Carter Baran also expressed his excitement to represent the Bombers at districts and to have qualified with both of his brothers.
“It’s really just a great experience,” said Carter Baran. “Being able to be in the room with my brothers, it’s really crazy, especially being the only three on the team that are going to districts. It’s just a monumental moment for the school and me as well. I’ll always remember it and it’s great to be in the room with my brothers.”
In addition to seeing all three Baran brothers qualify for the OHSAA District Championships, Geauga County wrestling fans got to watch the No. 1 ranked Div. II heavyweight wrestler in the State of Ohio, Hawken’s Will Greenberg.
As expected, Greenberg had a dominant performance on his way to winning the OHSAA Sectional Title, 285 pound division.
In his first three matches, Greenberg pinned opponents from Bay, University, and Brookside in an average time of 26 seconds.
In the title match, Greenberg defeated Noah Dunlap from Kent Roosevelt, 21-6.
Afterwards, Greenberg said that it was nice to win a Sectional Title and that he was focused on keeping his offensive wrestling skills sharp.
“I was just focused on my offense, making sure I was explosive, making sure I was fast, just fine tuning some things for the next couple weeks,” said Greenberg.
At the same time Kenston was hosting OHSAA Sectionals, other Geauga County wrestling teams were competing in sectional tournaments throughout Northeast Ohio.
The West Geauga Wolverines won the OHSAA Sectional Wrestling Title at Canal Fulton Northwest.
Seven Wolverines wrestlers won individual district titles including, Caden Kaleal (120 pound division), Zander Joltin (126), Brian Denamen (165), Austin Wheatley (175), Nasir Levy (190), Blake Welker (215) and Maveric Milnar (285).
Also winning OHSAA Sectional Titles were Danny Tiller (190 pound division – Berkshire),
Caden Foley (144 – Chardon), Dylan Kick (150 – Chardon) and Alex Ash (157 – Chardon).
Geauga County Wrestlers will next wrestle in the OHSAA District Championships on Feb. 28 and March 1 in the Div. II District Championships at Kenston and the Div. III District Championships at Independence High School.
