Local wrestlers had an impressive showing, with Coventry scoring 175.5 points and placing third overall and first in Division II at the Bill Dies Tournament held at Firestone High School. Placing 10th overall with 119 points was Manchester, while Green took 35th scoring 40 points and Springfield was 42nd with 16 points.
Here is a rundown of each team and thoughts from their respective coaches:
Coventry
As a team, the Comets scored 175.5 points, just 5.5 points behind Cuyahoga Falls for second place. It was the first top three finish since 1997 for the school said coach Keith Shinn.
Senior Randy Henline (135) and sophomore Jesse Gunter (103) both won their weight divisions. They were the first Coventry wrestlers to win a Dies Memorial title since State Champ Charlie Biel in 1997. Jesse dominanted throughout winning by a 14-0 score in the finals with three total pins said Shinn. Randy dismantled a predicted Div 3 state champ from perennial power Cuyahoga Heights in the semifinal and kept that rolling by beating Dan Mirman, ranked second in the state from Medina Highland.
Senior Colton May (140) took third place. “Colton showed great heart and desire as he wrestled back into the finals pinning his way in his semifinal bout,” Shinn said. Beau Cross (189) captured fifth place and junior Rusty Lockhart (152) avenged some early season losses on his way to third place.
Coach Shinn: “Practices are becoming more routine even though the lifting, conditioning and drilling are getting that much harder and more intense because we have goals and expectations as a program to fulfill. The hard work that these guys put in is really showing. As each individual continues to pile up victories, the team as a whole reaps the benefit from the successes. The positive influence of each and every senior is shining through to the youngsters that are competing in the line up. I feel we are right on pace for a successful postseason run to get these young men to Columbus.”
Manchester
The Panthers were 10th place overall with 119 points.
Senior Shane Brown went 6-0, defeating Collin Taylor of Cuyahoga Falls to win the 130 lb. weight division.
Other notable Panthers were Kyle Ferguson (103) taking third and going 6-1, Josh Kapper (125) took fourth going 5-2 and Kyle Kelly (HVY) took fifth and went 4-2. Coach Greg Brown said Ferguson just missed the finals, losing by one point to Coventry’s Gunter. He added Kapper and Kelly were a little disappointed, but still wrestled well.
Coach Brown: “Overall top to bottom it was the best tournament we've been in. I felt our kids wrestled fairly well. The competition at the Dies is always tough."
Green
The Bulldogs took 35th overall with 40.5 points.
Senior Nathan Black (119) was the lone placer for the team, taking fifth place. Coach Anthony Hayes said, “It was nice to see him place his senior year in a very tough tournament. It’s a great way to go out.”
Another notable wrestler was sophomore Cory Fitzgerald (130) who went 3-2.
Springfield
The Spartans took 42nd with 16 points.
Although no individuals placed, David Honeck (152) made it to the quarterfinals and lost in OT, which coach Todd Lovell took him off his game.
Coach Lovell thoughts; “We talk to the kids about how important sectionals, districts and the state tournament are. The whole team is working hard... its going to pay off soon.”
