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New Franklin, Ohio —
The Manchester wrestlers placed fifth at the PAC-7 championship on Feb. 2 at Fairless High School.
The Panthers, who opened sectional tournament action on Friday at Rootstown, scored 67 points at the event, which was won by perennial power CVCA with 221 points.
Freshman Joey Bowen (106 pounds) and junior Jacob Hanzel (285) won individual titles for the red and black.
Others placing were junior Bobby Bowen (113), sophomore Drew Brasiel (145) and sophomore Dylan Rediger (126).
“I was very proud of the performance of our placers,” said head coach James Easterling. “Joey (Bowen) wrestled a very complete match in the finals to pick up his PAC-7 championship. Jake’s (Hanzel) title caps off a very nice season he has worked hard to build, and Bobby (Bowen) had a tough match with (Ryan) Bennett from CVCA, who was a Divsion II state placer last year. I know he will use this experience to refocus and prepare heading into the sectional.”
Easterling said the event was a teaching moment for some of his younger wrestlers.
“Overall, we had matches that we allowed to slip from our younger kids,” he said. “They need to understand that while they are learning, it can never be an excuse to let their guard down. We expect all our wrestlers regardless of their level of experience to contribute to the team. We did not have that happen, and that is how you miss third place by six points.”
The Manchester wrestlers placed fifth at the PAC-7 championship on Feb. 2 at Fairless High School.
The Panthers, who opened sectional tournament action on Friday at Rootstown, scored 67 points at the event, which was won by perennial power CVCA with 221 points.
Freshman Joey Bowen (106 pounds) and junior Jacob Hanzel (285) won individual titles for the red and black.
Others placing were junior Bobby Bowen (113), sophomore Drew Brasiel (145) and sophomore Dylan Rediger (126).
“I was very proud of the performance of our placers,” said head coach James Easterling. “Joey (Bowen) wrestled a very complete match in the finals to pick up his PAC-7 championship. Jake’s (Hanzel) title caps off a very nice season he has worked hard to build, and Bobby (Bowen) had a tough match with (Ryan) Bennett from CVCA, who was a Divsion II state placer last year. I know he will use this experience to refocus and prepare heading into the sectional.”
Easterling said the event was a teaching moment for some of his younger wrestlers.
“Overall, we had matches that we allowed to slip from our younger kids,” he said. “They need to understand that while they are learning, it can never be an excuse to let their guard down. We expect all our wrestlers regardless of their level of experience to contribute to the team. We did not have that happen, and that is how you miss third place by six points.”
