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D-I Central District write-up...

  • cruiser_96
    Yes. I'm this bored. Couldn't wait until mid-October.

    And, after the Kyle Dake announcement, I couldn't help but want to talk more wrestling. (For those who have not heard, Kyle Dake (3x NCAA Champion - 141, 149, 157) has decided to go for his fourth at 165. Any other year, this type of news would make some ripples on the forums during the off-season. But this decision is made in light of the fact that the returning Hodge Trophy winner AND 2x finalist AND returning NCAA champion DAVID TAYLOR is in this weight class and has made tidal waves! This is HUGE, HUGE, HUGE news.) Dake and Taylor will be wrestling in the NWCA All-Star Meet at the beginning of the season, and then, should the stars align, both wrestlers remain healthy, and both wrestlers make it to the finals, it will be ON!!!!! And here I thought the Darby District was exciting!!!

    Nothing special about this write-up. I just did some research on the top 10 or 15 teams from last year's Darby District and broke down what they had returning. Anywho,


    01. Marysville ...174.0
    --- Marysville returns 9 of the 13 they sent to Darby, most notably SPs Rahmani (4th), Forrider (4th) and Boyd 8th); also SQs Sparks and Pfarr. The first three listed were District Champs last year, with no real case why they can’t again this year. I assume fellow DQs Sepeda, Garza and Roberts will add to the Monarchs final team score at Darby.

    02. Olentangy ...116.0
    --- The Braves lost a gang of district qualifiers (a “gang” in this case equals 8 of the 12) to graduation. But they do return a nice bunch of Torti, Henderson, Pollitt, and up-and-comer Hall (DP-5th).

    03. Lancaster ...114.5
    --- Coach Spires and Co. return a strong foursome in Miller, Deluse, Bond and Funk. Their team success lies on building up talent for the remaining 10 weight classes. If those four can all (at a minimum) place at Darby, the Gales could end up pretty high on the leader’s board.

    04. Olen. Liberty ...94.0
    --- While the Patriots did lose a state champion and another state qualifier to graduation, the cupboard is far from bare. Returning are state qualifier Penzone and placer Ryan (7th). They also have Thrasher - a DQ last year - and a very good lightweight in Furnas.

    05. Teays Valley ...89.0
    --- While the Vikings did lose 6 of their 11 DQs to graduation, not one of the 5 they return is a senior. Nace was a state alternate at 106, and upperweight Kinzer earned 6th place at 220. Dooley and King were both able to garner wins at Darby, while Maynard bowed out with back-to-back losses.

    06. Hill. Davidson ...84.5
    --- The Davidson Wildcats return a pretty good core of wrestlers from last year’s squad. Wilson was a state qualifier and Lawler ended up 2-2 at Darby against a tough 132 pound field.

    07. Pick. Central ...75.0
    --- And here we go again! Coach Allen is building a powerhouse. This year’s installment of the Tigers boasts 5 DQs and an SQ in Sunkle. Aiding Sunkle will be Hogue, Yarger and Bondurant.

    08. Hill. Darby ...73.0
    --- The Panthers of Hilliard Darby return 6 of 7 DQs, losing only Bowens. Of the six returners, two - Valenti and Walker - were SQs, with Donatelli earning the SA position at 126. Depending how the weights shake out, all three could be on the floor of the Big Show come 2013.

    09. Dub. Coffman ...70.5
    --- New head coach Chance Van Gundy returns to Division I this year, sporting the shamrock green of Coffman. Coach Van Gundy walks into a room that lost 5 of 6 DQs. The lone survivor is a bright one in Wooden, who, after dropping one-point matches to both Delande(HDav) and Zoeller (HBrad) at Darby, took 5th. The rest of the squad is a bit of an unknown.

    10. Dub. Scioto ...68.5
    --- The Irish had six wrestlers compete at Darby last year. Only one will be returning. But the good news is, Akutsu (285) is an excellent talent and should be one of the top heavyweights in the area as he is the only DP to return.

    11. Pick. North ...67.5
    --- Coach Harris always seems to have enough young talent coming through to make noise during the regular season as well as the post season. SP Gutierrez returns, as does Snyder and the Notestine twins. The latter three were all able to win at least one match at Darby.

    12. Hill. Bradley ...63.0
    --- The Jaguars return 4 DQs from last year. In terms of a finish at Darby, DP Driscoll the Younger was most successful, placing 6th in a brutal 126 weight class. His losses came to stalwart Murdock, Davidson’s gem in Wilson, and then, for 5th, to Donatelli the Lighter. Not too shabby for a freshman. The Jags also return McGrath, who was a match from placing, along with the engine of the team, Riggs and Stratton. (If you got that joke, thanks. If not, it really wasn’t that good anyway.)

    13. Central Crossing ...57.0
    --- Central Crossing may have lost the most 2/3rds of their trio of DQs, but they return SP Wimer. If the Comets want to see top 15 at Darby, they are going to have to produce a few more like him.

    14. Mount Vernon ...56.0
    --- Oh, Mt. Vernon. They are a mainstay in the top 15, and usually end up in the top 10. I didn’t take the time to check the last 5 or 7 years, but I would assume they did well every year. And I will go out on a limb and predict they do well this season. They only lost 3 of the 7 DQs to graduation, and the four they return are stellar! Riley, Staten and Lybarger all qualified for the state tournament, with Riley placing 3rd. My guess is that those three will have an exceptional season and fellow DQ Daniels will add to their final tally at Darby.

    15. Lincoln ...43.5--- Rounding out the top 15 from last year’s District Tournament is Gahanna Lincoln. The Lions were able to earn 43.5 points on the strength of the McDougle brothers. McDougle the Lighter was the district champion at 132, while his brother, McDougle the Heavier, finished fourth at 138. Both were extremely deep weight classes, so see no reason to doubt that Gahanna minimum for this season’s District tournament point total will be around 50 points.
  • cruiser_96
    Other teams on my list who I think will fare well…

    Olentangy Orange
    --- The Pioneers (or ‘Neers as they are oft called) have a bit of a situation. They were slated to have 4 DQs from last year back. And while yes, the numbers work out the same, there is a situation. In this crazy circumstance of events, they lost SA Borton to Moeller, but pick up DP Hines (6th) from Westerville Central. They also get back 2x SP Timchenko. The additions of Hines and Timchenko could add additional strength at the bottom of the line-up. At the top of the line-up, DQs Heilman and Kamba make for a dynamic duo. These four wrestlers, along with a few others should make the ‘Neers a solid squad from top to bottom.

    Upper Arlington
    --- Similar to Orange, Upper Arlington had 9 DQs. However, they only lost one to graduation. The Golden Bears return 8 student-athletes with district experience. If Gerhardt is able to return, that would a nice addition! Perhaps one of the best things about the returning group is that they are spread out in terms of grade; some seniors, a few juniors, a sophomore or two. Copper, Neely and Watson were able to chalk up one victory in their competitive fields; Drake went 2-2, ending a match away from placing. Reid and Gardner went 0-2 with the former losing to DPs Staten (4th) and Higuera (6th).

    Westerville North
    --- The Warriors return 6 of 8 DQs, one of whom placed - Durieux (5th) - and another - DiSabato - who went 2 and 2, and quite honestly, on any other weekend, could have been in the top 4. I thought last year’s 106 class was dynamite, and that opinion was solidified a week later by the fact that all four SQs place. The other four consist of two sophomores - Herrera and Diaz - and two seniors - Ferguson and Kline. Those are six kids that will most likely score points at Darby.

    Worthington Kilbourne
    --- Kilbourne also returns six DQs, with the most successful being Meehan, as he ended up 2-2, losing to SQs Stinemetz and Schmeltzer. Three others who came away with a win were seniors Wahl, Gundling and McCullough. The remaining two are juniors in Oberly and Shaut.

    Teams to (perhaps) keep an eye on…
    (Consider them my “Teams with a Few Darkhorses”)

    Dublin Jerome
    --- The Celtics (KEL-tics) did lose some 2 of their 6 DQs, but what they have returning is talented. Obviously SQ Mowery will be expected to lead the bunch, but DQs junior Transue, and fellow seniors Comfort and Pearson could do well.

    Watkins Memorial
    --- The Warriors return 3 seniors and a sophomore of the 6 DQs from last year. Lieb had a tremendous freshman campaign, finishing 2-2 at Darby to end the season 34-17 overall. His teammates Holter and Lancia did well too, both finished 2 and 2 at Darby, while Bankes left winless. With three of four getting a couple of wins each, one has to think this could be the season for a Warrior SQ.
  • cruiser_96
    Hey! What happened to my Hayes piece!?!?!?!?!

    It must be on the computer at home.

    To sum up, Hayes will have a nice returning core and have a few more kids who made strides throughout the summer.
  • KAgin
    I dig it.
  • ptown3
    Too excited I see :p . Very nice, great read. Dont foget Davidson picked up both Gusan AND Bobby Smith this offseason from transfers. Davidson will be TOUGH!
  • cruiser_96
    ptown3: I thought about mentioning it but chose to put it on the Central Ohio preview... the BIG one. Announcements coming soon...
  • ptown3
    Preview at the all star meet?
  • hasbeen
    I'm picking Bad Brad's Bunch to go all the way-man!
  • cruiser_96
    hasbeen;1281689 wrote:I'm picking Bad Brad's Bunch to go all the way-man!
    You would!!!!!
  • zambrown
    along with the engine of the team, Riggs and Stratton. (If you got that joke, thanks. If not, it really wasn’t that good anyway.)
    Got it and as word play goes, not bad at all, Cruiser. :p
  • cruiser_96
    zambrown;1284426 wrote:Got it and as word play goes, not bad at all, Cruiser. :p
    You are too kind.
  • cruiser_96
    I'm hearing chatter that Drake from UA is a pretty good quarterback.
  • Cthelites
    cruiser_96;1285182 wrote:I'm hearing chatter that Drake from UA is a pretty good quarterback.
    Love the Drake!
  • cruiser_96
    Cthelites;1285612 wrote:Love the Drake!
    Classic!

    From what I've heard he's good but not a bear.
  • Cthelites
    cruiser_96;1285812 wrote:Classic!

    From what I've heard he's good but not a bear.
    Knew you'd get it Cruiser!

    Warhawk now.
  • knightflyer150
    It should be a very good year in Central District. A few thoughts:

    1) I think we have more legitimate state champion "opportunities" this year than we have in a while. At least five, by my count.

    2) Dual teams are deep, but there are teams that could also score very well on the statewide individual tournament. Marysville fits both of these bills and will be very tough to beat in town. I'm not sure they have a weak spot, but there are a few teams that I think match up well with them. Davidson will score big at state...so will a few others.

    3) 106-126 will be sick. I know I am leaving out a bunch! 106- Guitt, Nace, Furnas, Marysville kid, Hayes Kid, Kenderzerski, Wimer 113- Riley, Disabato, Wimer, Hines 120 - Rahmani, Timchenko, 126- Penzone, Rooney, Sparks
  • ptown3
    Wimer should be at 113
  • knightflyer150
    I had both Wimers in at 106 and 113....also at 120 is probably Valenti (Darby), Kakos (Franklin Hts), Fluty (NA) and Shaut (Kilbourne).
  • ptown3
    knightflyer150;1286493 wrote:I had both Wimers in at 106 and 113....also at 120 is probably Valenti (Darby), Kakos (Franklin Hts), Fluty (NA) and Shaut (Kilbourne).
    ahhh i see i missed that
  • ptown3
    knightflyer150;1286493 wrote:I had both Wimers in at 106 and 113....also at 120 is probably Valenti (Darby), Kakos (Franklin Hts), Fluty (NA) and Shaut (Kilbourne).
    another guy to look for is Hogue (pick central) . 14-2 and 6-3 wins against Fluty and 5-1 win against Shaut at Districts
  • cruiser_96
    ptown3: I think Knightflyer meant "in" as in "in a line-up. NOT as "in" top 4 at Darby.

    Concerning "in" at Darby... There no reason to think Hogue is not within reach. Your stats show good progress for him. Fluty (NA) was a Cruiser Invitational champion! Or at least a finalist, but I'm 99% positive it was champ. Which means he is good!
  • double-leg-machine
    Its going to be a interesting tournament this year.
  • ptown3
    Heard rahmani is out until january with an injury
  • iGranby
    ptown3;1292784 wrote:Heard rahmani is out until january with an injury
    Thats a shame. Watching him at the State tournament last year was unreal, that little freshman had ice in his veins when he stepped out onto the mat, he'll be a terror when he gets back on the mat for sure.