From the Cincinnati Enquirer
Friday, January 7, 2005
Two area teams headed for state dual meet
By Mike Dyer
Enquirer staff writer
Moeller and Lakota West will be local representatives at this weekend’s state dual meet at Wadsworth High School beginning Sunday at 10 a.m.
Moeller, No. 4 in last week’s Associated Press Division I state poll, took sixth place in the Powerade Christmas Tournament in Cannonsburg, Pa., which is ranked the sixth-best tournament in the nation by WrestlingReport.com.
“We go to this to prepare our kids for the state tournament, “Moeller coach Jeff Gaier said. “I was pleased with the way we competed considering we only had three wrestlers seeded and we placed six.”
All Moeller wrestlers won matches and 10 were in the top 12.
Those placing in the top six spots included juniors Alex Weaver (fourth at 103), Eric Cameron (fourth at 171) and senior Charles Quehl (fifth at 215). Josh Newbanks (seventh at 125), Nate Kmetz (seventh at 160) and Dean Gaier (eighth at 145) were unseeded along with Cameron.
“Eric Cameron was the surprise of the tournament for us, “Gaier said. “He defeated three seeded wrestlers to finish fourth.”
Gaier said if Moeller can defeat its first opponent Sunday – Beavercreek – the Crusaders would face Lakewood St. Edward, the defending Division I state champion. The top three seeds are St. Edward, Massillon Perry and Wadsworth.
Lakota West, ranked No. 6 in the AP poll, tied for 10th at the Brecksville Holiday Tournament. Junior Tony Bradberry (10-0 in dual meets through Wednesday) took fourth at 135. At 171, senior Brian Almer was fourth.
“Almer and Bradberry are wrestling better each event, “Lakota West coach Scott Fetzer said.
PIERSON PREVAILS: Lakota East senior Kody Pierson defeated Lakewood St. Edward’s Dan Gonsor to win 119 at the Medina Invitational. The Thunderhawks took sixth in the tournament. Kody’s brother, Kent Pierson, was fourth at 125. Coach Bob Latessa likes how Kody has returned to form after missing much of last season due to injury, and how Kent has progressed since this season’s Coaches’ Classic.
PANTHER ON PROWL: Elder senior Rob Nusekabel placed second at 160 at the Brecksville Holiday Tournament. Nusekabel, a state placer last season, continues to be among coach Dick McCoy’s consistent wrestlers.
“He had a great state tournament and after placing, he is really hungry to go back, “McCoy said. “He says, ‘I want to be in the state finals. I don’t want to be a top-six guy.’ He’s practiced that way.”
REFUSE TO LOSE: Roger Bacon fifth-year coach Brennan Ryan hasn’t experienced anything like this season.
Sophomore Danny Johnson (135) and freshman John Hoeh (171) were winners as the Spartans won the Norwood Adam Cox Memorial Dec. 31. Yet, adversity has been mounting.
“It’s been one thing after another, “Ryan said.
After the Coaches’ Classic, the Spartans (7-1 at the start of the week) lost two key wrestlers to injuries. Sophomore Thomas Raabe (119) is out with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and Chris Neumann (215) has a shoulder injury.
Junior David Harris (112) injured a hand but has continued to wrestle. Moreover, Ryan said the Harris family lost its house in a fire a couple weeks ago. The school community has made financial donations to help the relief effort.
“Each week, it’s been somebody new every match stepping up, “Ryan said. “They have maintained (the attitude) that they still expect to win.”
PINS: Princeton was seventh of 44 teams and second in the big-school division at the Greater Miami Valley Wrestling Association (GMVWA) Invitational. … Reading took third followed by Madeira and Taylor in last week’s Madeira Invitational. … Harrison junior Tyler Adams was second at 119 after moving up a class at the Grizzly Invitational; the Wildcats were fourth.
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