Crusaders eager to challenge the nation’s top-ranked team
By Mike Dyer
Enquirer staff writer
Moeller coach Jeff Gaier is looking forward to his Crusaders’ trip to northeast Ohio this weekend.
After this afternoon’s 5 p.m. match at Lakota East, Moeller will travel to a Saturday event at Lakewood St. Edward where the Crusaders will compete in a tri-meet against Bergen Catholic (N.J.) and Blair Academy (N.J.), widely considered the No. 1 team in the country.
“We are excited about wrestling Blair, “Gaier said. “It is not too often you get a chance to wrestle the top team in the country. It will give our guys a gauge on where they stand with the best.”
Moeller was second, behind Massillon Perry, at the Mayfield Precision Big 8 tournament. Seniors Josh Newbanks (125 pounds) and Nate Kmetz (160) won titles, while freshman Eric Gobin (112), junior Eric Cameron (171) and senior Charles Quehl (215) were runners-up.
INTRIGUING MATCHUP: No. 2 Lakota West is at No. 3 Harrison tonight in what appears to be one of the better dual meets this season. Harrison is off to its best dual meet record (11-0) since 1996-97.
Lakota West defeated Lakota East last week for the seventh time in eight seasons. Coach Scott Fetzer has been impressed with his freshmen and especially Nick Bohl (140).
Junior Tony Bradberry (135) is 26-5 in dual meets and senior Brian Almer (171) is 25-6.
“I think the Harrison dual is going to be tough and a close scoring dual, “Fetzer said. “They are wrestling real well, and we look forward to the challenge.”
Harrison senior Cris Adams (140) had victories last week against Colerain and Elder. Junior Tyler Adams (112) is 20-2 in dual meets.
“We hope we’re peaking at the right time during the last third of the season, “Harrison assistant coach Chris Baird said.
WESTERN BROWN NEW NO. 1: Western Brown is the new No. 1 team in the Enquirer Divisions II-IV area coaches’ poll this week. The Broncos were third at the Hammer & Anvil Invitational last weekend. On Feb. 2, Western Brown hosts a tri-meet with No. 2 Ross and No. 4 Madeira.
Western Brown is led by 135-pound sophomore Ryan Brownlee (21-2) and junior Brandon Naylor (18-4 at 160).
PINS: Glen Este senior Jacob Porter recorded his 100th victory last weekend at the Milford Invitational. Porter (130) was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.
“¢ Mason senior Zach Marshall (275), who has already committed to Maryland for football, is undefeated in dual matches (28-0) this season. Marshall set the school record for career pins (69) and was tied as of Wednesday night for the single-season record (23).
“¢ Indian Hill senior Zach Reckman, who made an oral commitment earlier this week to play football at Purdue, is undefeated (17-0) at 275 pounds.
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