The Kenston Bombers hosted a dual match with the Kirtland Hornets on Feb. 9 — soundly defeating their visitors on Senior Night — then participated Feb. 11 in the Western Reserve Conference championships.
Match photos click here.
The Kenston Bombers hosted a dual match with the Kirtland Hornets on Feb. 9 — soundly defeating their visitors on Senior Night — then participated Feb. 11 in the Western Reserve Conference championships.
After beating Kirtland, Kenston Head Coach Ricky Deubel discussed a few of the night’s senior highlights.
“Leo (DiPadova) going out there being aggressive, scoring a bunch of points and finishing the match with a pin, (was a highlight),” he said. “(Another highlight was) AJ (Pemberton) coming out with another pin, which I believe he has 24 wins and 24 pins on the season. So every match he has won this year has been by a fall, which has been great.”
Then came the championships two days later.
Not having had the chance to wrestle in the dual match due to a Kirtland forfeit, state-ranked Kenston wrestler Sean Doyle had the opportunity to wrestle twice at the championships. He received a bye in the first round, then defeated the Hilltoppers’ Logan Bryant, 1-0, in the semifinals.
In the finals match, Doyle won the 285 pound WRC title with a 10-7 decision over Chris Fero from Mayfield.
“Sean’s been going after it this year,” Deubel said. “He’s wrestled so many ranked opponents, and just keeping down with them, pushing the pace on them, and coming out with victories against them. And hopefully he keeps up that pace in the next couple weeks during post season and makes it to states.”
Although Doyle has had great individual success on the mat this season, he credited his teammate and training partner Ben Burlinghaus for helping him have great practices, which have led to a successful season.
“The season has been (going) extremely well,” Doyle said. “Pleased with everything that has happened, working in the room, and then going flawlessly out on the mat. I will give that (credit) to my room partner Ben Burlinghaus. You know he gives me good work every single day. So going out there, I can just implement it really.”
Currently Doyle is ranked 18th in the state’s Division II.
Seven additional Bombers also placed: Aidan Baran (113 – 2nd), Leo DiPadova (120 – 2nd), Carmen Fratoe (106 – 3rd), Jacob White (132 – 4th), Aaron Hirt (138 – 4th), AJ Pemberton (144 – 4th) and Ben Burlinghaus (215 – 5th).
Chardon Hilltoppers had a very successful WRC tournament, as well. In fact, Will Vucetic won the 175-pound WRC title.
After a first round bye, Vucetic got a quick pin of his Willoughby South opponent in the semifinals.
In the finals match, Vucetic pinned his Madison opponent 38 seconds into the first period.
Vucetic is currently ranked 23rd in the state in the 175-pound weight class for Division I.
Chardon saw nine other wrestlers also place at the WRC tournament: Dylan Kick (157- 2nd), Maddex Cincabello (190 – 2nd), Luke Vecetic (132 – 3rd), Graham Husek (138 – 3rd), Logan Shubert (150 – 3rd), Austin Hardesty (215 – 3rd), Logan Bryant (285 – 3rd), Aidan Croyle (165 – 4th) and Phillip Colucci (120, 6th).
Kenston will return to the mat the week of Feb. 20 for sectionals.
Chardon, meanwhile, completes its regular season Feb. 17 against Orange before moving on to sectionals the week of Feb. 20.
