Brecksville-Broadview Heights: A rising Division I power with state scoring power in Kyle Lang and the J Train, heavyweight Jeremy Johnson. The Bees will also be very tough to beat in a dual meet.
Chanel: Outstanding young talent, but the Firebirds are a year away from state title contention in Division III. Wrestlers like sophomores Cody Tschantz, Danny Orrill and Cody Walters got valuable experience at state last winter, and junior Mike Kovach placed fourth at 119.
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy: Fourth in the state in Division III last year, the young Royals could move up the ladder with terrific talent in state placers Brad Sommers, Shelton Morris, Tyler Powers, Alex Utley and Greg Hojnacki. Is there a sport CVCA isn’t getting good in?
Elyria: Has a lot of tournament scoring punch led by state fourth Zack Goins and state sixth Dalton McHenry, plus state qualifier Ryan Nelisse, who won 49 matches last season. All are seniors. Coach Erik Burnett just needs these kids to peak at state.
Kenmore: Best public school wrestling team in Akron won’t be as dominant as last season, but still has tough kids back like potential state champ Cody Lamberg, state qualifier Garland McCormick, hard-nosed upperweight Dusty Newberry and solid middleweights Jamar Sheppard and Ryan Harris.
Kenston: No superstars or even a returning state qualifier, but 11 starters are back including the lightweight Kazimir brothers, sophomore Ben and junior Jake, so the Bombers will at very least be tough to beat in dual meets.
Mayfield: Always good Wildcats have returning state place winners in junior Dan McNulty and sophomore Tyler Coleman, senior state qualifier Cody Hayes, and a new coach in Carl DiBernardo, who was groomed by longtime standout coach Frank Cikach.
Padua: Bruins have a talented upperweight in Riley Kilroy, tough lightweights like state fourth Andrew Romanchik and Collan DaFonseca, and gained a promising freshman in Brent Fickel (125), a winner in the Tulsa (Okla.) National Championships.
St. Edward: Has won last 12 Division I state titles and 24 overall, but No. 25 will come much harder despite proven winners like state champs Gus Sako, Jamie Clark, Collin Palmer, state fifth Anthony Salupo and two time state placer Nick Sulzer. That’s because after Sulzer at 152 pounds, the Eagles don’t have proven talent in the last five weights except for Mike Green at 215, who went 0-2 at state. They need freshmen like junior high state runner-up Greg Kuhar (HVY) and two-time state qualifier John Cobos (125) to make contributions.
Southview: With the likes of state place winners Uland Ralson and Narcisco Inchaurregui, Narcisco’s older brother Zeno, and a good group of returning seniors like Jose Martinez, the Saints will be strong as usual in both tournaments and dual meets.
Twinsburg: Keep an eye on this team loaded with good juniors including rugged state fourth Waquiem Comar and state qualifier Brandon Bucknell, a heavyweight.
University School: No longer just a tennis power, the Preppers are great in golf and close to getting great in wrestling. A flock of returning state place winners includes James Inghram, Brad Wukie, Nick Mills, and state champ Harrison Hightower, and the team got added help when sophomore Matt Lawler (130) transferred from St. Ignatius. Preppers won’t beat St. Paris Graham for the state crown in Division II, but a state runner-up finish isn’t out of the question.
Wadsworth: This is a team that will challenge St. Ed for the state title next year for sure, and likely this year. They’ve placed no lower than eighth at state since 2001, and return two-time state finalist Brad Squire, state placers Danny Foore and Ben Buzzelli, plus two outstanding freshmen in Kagan Squire (103 or 112), a Cadet freestyle All-American, and junior high state champ Nick Tavenello (189). This is a program on the rise.
Walsh Jesuit: Another future powerhouse looming, a strong but young team revitalized with freshmen twins Nate (125) and Nick Skonieczny (135), brothers of graduated national high school champion Chase. Sophomore state runner-up Johnni DiJulius will be back at 119, with state qualifiers in senior Rich Knotek and junior Dillon Magalski, along with a boatload of good district qualifiers like sophomore John Novak (112), who won 28 matches last season.
- Pat Galbincea
