1974 High School Wrestling Forecast
3rd Annual Edition
Written By Brian F. Brakeman
Back to Brakeman Reports Homepage
INTRODUCTION
Wrestling has something of a cyclical nature to it, and this year should show the Cleveland AAA District at one of its highest levels. After only winning five state titles last year Cleveland boys should win 8 or even more championships and have a large number of place-finishers. However, with poor newspaper coverage in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Canton this year its hard to tell who is really good.
98#
Top Choices: Steve LaScala (MH) — Phil Drenik (Wickliffe)
The Cleveland area has three, really good 98’s in Bob Kelly (NO), Steve LaScala (MH), and Phil Drenik (Wick.) with the latter two being slightly stronger than Kelly. Toledo also has three fine wrestlers in 2-time state qualifier Bob Hogle, Brecksville champ Chris Sutton and undefeated Ralph Aiello. Chuck Davis (Grove City) is undefeated in Columbus and could be a factor. Still I think LaScala has been the classiest 98# wrestler I’ve seen this year with Drenik close behind, and I rate them both ahead of any out-of-district boy.
105#
Andy Daniels (Buchtel) — John Messina (Brush)
As usual, 105# is a very tough class with good wrestlers in almost every area. Down South John Ridder (Elder), Ed Marsh (Fairfield), and state-qualifier Pat McGrath have been strong. Metcalfe (Rogers) and Cousino (St. Francis) look good in Toledo, and Bourquin (Canton South) has experience. However, Andy Daniels (Buchtel) seems the best out-of-towner and I think the best 105# in the state. In Cleveland, John Messina (Brush), just back in competition, is a 1973 state qualifier and lost to Daniels by only a point down there. He should be the best in Cleveland if he can regain his competitive form. Mike Jones (John Marshall), John Beaune (NO), and John Novak (MH) are close behind and could push Messina out of the picture if his long lay-off has hurt him.
112#
Hollis Frierson (J.M.)
Frierson is in a class by himself and, barring injury, should be a heavy favorite to take the state title. In this area, Sidallah (Norm), LaManna (MH), and maybe Potopas (EN) might be other qualifiers. Downstate Sam Peppers (Eastmoor) and Lee Simon (Mt. V.) are both good, and Mike Stegall (Boardman), if he can make the weight, should place. However, nobody should beat a healthy Frierson.
119#
Milan Yakovich (Normandy) — Gerald Reid (Cuy. Falls)
This is the best weight class in the state and has more strong boys than in almost any other two weight classes put together. Cleveland has at least 5 kids who are state place-finisher material, and only four will get out of the district. I like Milan Yakovich the best because he can score on top with a variety of pin-holds and is good underneath, too. However, he may lack a good enough take-down to win. Right behind are Zielinski (MH), Ballachino (Midpark), Mitchell (Mayfield), and state champ Mike Walsh (NO). The feeling persists that Walsh somehow had a super weekend to win last year and may not even get out of the district this year. But he could a second-time, too. These boys are all very close together in skill. Downstate Gerry Reid (Cuy. Falls) was 5th last year at 105# and is probably the best out-of-towner. Todd Cohen (EM) out of Columbus and Jim Medford (BF) from Toledo also seem strong. Add in the Cleveland boys and at least one good boy from Cincinnati or Dayton, and you’ll have some great contests.
126#
John Steele (Oakhills)
Steele was second at this weight last year and unless he has a weight problem he should win this year. Rand Davis (LaSalle), Randy Kinkaia (Mamee), and Ron Dilley (KR) also should do well. In Cleveland, 126# is a rather weak weight classification. The erratic Bill Karpowicz (JM) seems to be the best, but he has yet to put together a series of strong bouts needed to win a state title. He can be brilliant, but he can also be very uninspired. On a good weekend, he could beat anyone. Quite honestly, the rest of this group is workmanlike at best.
132#
Sam Komar (West Geauga)
Cleveland has a number of five 132’s with Komar leading the way. He should win in Columbus, and Nick Cipollo (Brush), Rich Palivida (N.R.), and perhaps Gary Gagliani (South) or Dave Kastelis (MH) placing. There are probably all kinds of good 132’s in the rest of the state, but I haven’t heard about any. Maybe Shepherd (Buchtel) or John Walker (Northmont) might be contenders, but there must be better people than this around.
138#
Larry Tusick (NO)
Another weight class that doesn’t seem to bring forth a lot of title contenders. After Tusick in this area one finds a lot of good journeyman wrestlers who could do well if they have a hot weekend, but quite honestly none of them thrill me. Gone are the Brauns, Fergusons, Swansegars, and Sobieskis. Down south John Hite (Akron North) seems very good as do Tim McGillway (Northmont), Greg Packer (Oakhills), and Mike Howe (FairEast). In the Toledo area, Tony Jones (Sandusky) and Jim Wolfe (TSF) also might be strong.
145#
Mike DeAnna (Bay)
This is always a good weight class, and this year is no exception. I’m looking for the brilliant sophomore Mike DeAnna (Bay) to win a lot of close bouts on his way to the championship. Jim Perko (Normandy) has never fulfilled his early promise, but he’s good, and so is Jim Weir (Cleve. Hts), the third of the wrestling brothers. Shutway (Brecksville) or Drury (Lake.) could also challenge. In other areas, Bud Smith (Stow), Mark Daisey (Beavercreek), and Mark Glenn (Walnut Ridge) will provide stiff competition. These boys are all good. In the West, Bill Kramer (Tol. Whit.) and Bill Miller (Tol. S.J.) could be tough.
155#
Ricky Moore (Buchtel) — Leo Flury (Toledo St. Francis)
Again a very strong weight — except for 119# maybe the strongest of all. I like Moore and believe he’ll go all the way, but it won’t be easy. In Cleveland, Tom Coy (May.), Bob Girardi (MH), and possibly Rufus Jewell (JFK), Kurt Oster (RR), or Mickey McDonald (EN) will all be tough. Leo Flury (TSF) and Steve Keil (Tol. Rogers) are both good enough to be state champions. They are both superb tacticians and tremendously quick and experienced. Jay Tyree (Stow), Rick Haas (Dayton Wayne), Bob Larrick (Beavercreek), Tom Sanderson (C), could also place. A fine group of wrestlers.
167#
Mike Gagliardi (Madison)
Choosing Gagliardi to win is a double gamble because he can be both erratic and injury-prone. But I believe he’ll overcome both these problems to win. There seem to be a lot of reasonably good 167’s after you get through talking about Gagliardi. Boys like Tolar (South), Milkovich (Orange), Miano (Wickliffe), Evans (JFK), Havens (Fairview), and Herman (NO) all could be possible qualifiers in a wide-open race. Downstate, which is where Gagliardi’s main competition should come from, features performers like Lappin (Stow), Reiss (Worthington), Linz (Cincy St. X.), or Larry Cain (Akron North). Also, keep your eye on Aaron Caywood (Toledo Rogers) and Steve Turnow (Tol. Clay).
175#
??????????????????????
I’m lost at this weight. Can’t seem to find people I think can be state champions. They must be somewhere but so far I’ve had no luck tracking them down. In Cleveland, I like Ron Varga (Fair), Rick Karel (EN), and Chuck Hageman (Lake), but not well enough to be state champs. Maybe Tom Jones (VF) is the answer? Mark DiBiasi (Canton Oakwood) and Cain (Cuy. Falls) both seem excellent, as does Chris Atkinson (Fair East). Maybe there’s someone in Cincinnati or Toledo or somewhere that I’ve never heard of who is great. Most of the really good 175’s are A-AA wrestlers.
185#
Paul Jones (Dayton Wayne)
Another excellent weight, and I’m picking a long-shot to win. By all rights, one of the Cleveland’s many fine 185’s should be a choice. Tony Kurnick (WS), John Kleban (MH), Mark Marinucci (Parma), and particularly Vance Redding (JM) are all very, very good. And there are another half-dozen almost as good lurking in the area. Don’t be fooled by Mark Sawchak’s (NO) record; he isn’t good enough to qualify for the state tourney. Downstate, besides Jones, are two other 1973 state qualifiers Harold Smith (Cant. MCK) and Denny McAvinew (Ak. Ken.). I particularly like Smith, and he might be a good choice for an upset special. In Toledo, Charlie Schoen (Tol. SJ) is undefeated but may not be quite strong enough to place.
HVY
Mike Kotowski (South) — Ned Stepanovich (NR)
Kotowski and Stepanovich are both super, with perhaps Kotowski getting the nod because of size. However, he is not real mature yet, and little things seem to upset him – – and one mistake can cost you a state title (Ask Ned’s brother Mark). Behind these two are a plethora of good big men in this area. People like Fowler (Euclid), Granata (Norm), Stewart (Madison), Paul (JM), and Vargo (Wick.). Russ Compton (Fair East) has been sensational in the Dayton area and he might prove to be the biggest downstate obstacle for the Clevelanders. Also, Jim Kazee (Brunswick) is undefeated and experienced. Of course, Heavyweight is a class where people mysteriously appear from nowhere in a year (like Totten) and slaughter everyone else. It could happen again.
TEAM
Maple Hts. John Marshall Buchtel Normandy North Olmsted Toledo St. Francis Fairmount East Toledo Rogers
All these teams could win enough to take the AAA title. With the fragmented scoring, two or even three boys might be enough. Maple Hts has beautiful balance, but can they score enough in the state meet? It should be very close for the third straight year.
“A-AA”
There are more good boys in A-AA than at any previous time. Watch for:
98#
O’Malley (Brooklyn)
D. DiSabato (Columbus DeSales)
Winke (Oak Harbor)
Brinton (Kenston)
Fracasso (Olentangy)
Gregg (Belmont Union)
105#
Hanson (Richmond Hts.)
Stone (Beachwood)
Kollman (Twinsburg)
Santana (Margaretta)
Viox (Reading)
Wing (Bexley)
112#
Riggs (Coventry)
Cale (Beachwood)
Richardson (Cuyahoga Hts.)
Rayfield (Perrysburg)
Imke (Clyde)
Skelton (Coshocton)
119#
Stalnaker (Jonathan Alder)
Pelleschi (Brooklyn)
R. Leugers (Brookville)
Blake (Crestwood)
Sen (Columbia Sta.)
Manning (West Branch)
125#
A. DiSabato
(Columbus DeSales)
Cavanaugh (Highland)
Conroy (Vermilion)
Bianchi (Solon)
Fisher (Norwalk)
George (Canton Lehman)
145#
Kemp (Chardon) – best wrestler in the state
Biggert (Oak Harbor)
Rossi (Columbus DeSales)
Wilcox (Highland)
Urse (Watterson)
Flowers (Milton Union)
155#
Luther (Stritch)
Morris (ASV)
Eisler (Benedictine)
Walker (Oberlin)
Barnett (Highland)
Reighley (Elyria Catholic)
167#
Herman (Kenston)
Marx (Bethel-Tate)
Hahn (Minerva)
Milkovich (Orange)
Breon (Teays Valley)
Winel (Watterson)
175#
Braun (Kenston)
Lewis (Licking Hts.)
Sudsina (Huron)
Streight (Wyoming)
Campbell (Oberlin)
Savas (Warrensville)
185#
Collins (Mapleton)
Lowe (Licking Hts.)
Greaves (Chardon)
Mulvin (Sandusky Perkins)
Croft (Chagrin Falls)
Wesson (Claymont)
HVY.
Polhemus (Solon)
Dean (Martins Ferry)
Cunningham (Akron South)
Sanchez (Crestwood)
Bise (Cloverleaf)
Pniewski (Ledgement)
Back to Brakeman Reports Homepage