Moeller sends 11 to state wrestling

By Dave Schutte Contributor

Victer Crenshaw wrestled like a true champion the past three weeks in winning the Greater Miami Conference and Division I sectional and district titles.

If this momentum carries into the final weekend of the 2004-05 season, the 140-pound Crenshaw should bring home the top prize at the state meet that begins Thursday and concludes Friday at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus.

“In my opinion, Crenshaw my have the best shot at winning of any wrestler from Southwestern Ohio, “Moeller coach Jeff Gaier said. “I think he was third in the same weight class last year.”

Crenshaw was fourth in 2004 and takes a 30-1 record in an opening round match against Mike Janik (25-10) from Lakewood St. Edward, the fourth place finisher in the Cleveland District.

Besides Crenshaw, Sycamore will send heavyweight Caleb Lipsey to the state meet. Lipsey (16-6) will wrestle Tim Reed (25-1) from Madison, the fourth place finisher last year.

Moeller advanced a team record 11 of 14 wrestlers to the state meet while defending state champion Lakewood St. Edward advanced 13 and are the heavy favorite to repeat.

“We have to have every kid come through and get a lot of placing points, “Gaier said. “The wrestlers from our district are relatively young and we’re a year-or-so away before we have legitimate number of contenders.”

Four Moeller wrestlers won district championships including Alex Weaver (30-8) at 103 pounds, Dean Gairer (32-8) at 145 pounds, Eric Cameron (28-8) in the 171 pound weight class and Charles Quehl (38-4) at 215 pounds.

“Like every year, there are a few surprises at the district meet, “Gaier said. “One of the surprises was Jared Glaser who took fourth. He started to get confidence as the year went on and is wrestling perry well.”

Gaier also pointed to Tommy Weinkam, a 135 pound sophomore as well as heavyweight Frank Becker, the second place finisher at the district meet.

“There are a lot of good heavyweights and Frank had to wrestle well to get out, “Gaier said. “Tommy (Weinkam) is also in an extremely tough weight class and he had to perform well to make it.”

The other Moeller wrestlers advancing are Eric Gobin (112 pounds), Josh Newbanks (125), Cebastain Hilton (140) and Mike Mahon (152).

Jay Dima (36-10) from Anderson proved up to the challenge, taking the runnerup spot in the 135 pound weight class, losing to Tony Bradberry (39-5) from the Lakota West in the championship match.

Mentor’s Rick Schreiner (32-14) will be Dima’s first round opponent.

Undefeated Indian Hill senior heavyweight Zach Reckman made it look easy in the winning the Division II sectional. He will wrestle Mark Vuich (28-9) in a first round match on Thursday.

If Reckman advances to the semifinals, he will probably meet junior Matt Guhn from Clyde who is now 51-0 after winning the sectional and district championships.

Madeira will be well represented in the Division III state meet.

Coach Bob Kearns’ Mustangs advanced four wrestlers.

They are 119-pound senior Randy Cloran (41-3), freshman Kevin Cloran (37-10) in the 125 pound weight class, Kevin Crowley (32-9) at 140 pounds and 152-pound senior Joe Gettinger (25-14).

First round matches will be contested Thursday with the quarterfinals and semifinal scheduled Friday with the championships in all three divisions decided on Saturday.

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