All in all, the Saint Ignatius wrestling team enjoyed a great weekend.
The Wildcats finished fourth in the 2018 Catholic Invitational Tournament team standings with 154.5 team points, tabbed three second-place finishers, one third-placer, and two fourth-place finishers.
And thanks to the amazing efforts of all the faculty, staff, and volunteers for Saint Ignatius, the 57th annual CIT went off without a hitch. Among those responsible for the smooth operation include Head Coach Mark Sullivan, Associate Head Coach/Tournament Director Jon Polick, Tournament Manager Gary Kanaga, TrackWrestling.com, Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick, Assistant Athletic Director Brad Ganor, photographer/videographer Danny Markino, and the large number of Saint Ignatius staff and volunteers.
A number of coaches and parents complimented the smoothness of the event, the first time the CIT has been hosted at Saint Ignatius, a large testament to the hard work and dedication of the Saint Ignatius wrestling community.
Just as he did all weekend, Johnny Novak kicked off the action at 106 for the Mat Cats on Sunday evening. Novak recorded an early takedown to claim a pair of points, and stretched the lead to 4-1 by the start of the second period. Lake Catholic’s Nick Coreno changed the momentum in the second, however, securing a near fall to tie the match at 4.
Coreno nearly pinned Novak, but the Wildcats’ sophomore stayed alive to fight into the third. However, another nearfall in the third, this time two points, doomed Novak to a 8-4 decision loss. Novak took fourth place, his second straight season placing at the CIT after taking sixth in 2017.
In the next match at 120, Matthew Whipkey battled Lake Catholic’s Hunter Ryan. A three-time State qualifier, Ryan notched a pair of early points and built an early 4-0 lead. Ryan then turned Whipkey into an unfortunate position and managed to pin the Wildcats’ junior with 31 seconds left in the first period. Whipkey finished in second, improving one place from his CIT performance last season.
Patrick McGraw represented the Wildcats at 132. McGraw tabbed a four points in the first period and early in the second before his foe, Padua’s Sam Fender, made a comeback. An escape and takedown brought Fender within one before McGraw escaped to make the score 5-3. McGraw notched an escape and then two more points in the third to nix any hopes of Fender capturing a lead. McGraw finished with an 8-3 victory to snag third place.
The next match for the Wildcats came at 160, as Najee Lockett battled Austin Murphy of Elder for the championship. Lockett suffered an early takedown, but escaped to take a point and narrow the deficit to 2-1 entering the second period. Both grapplers faked and deked in the second, but neither recorded any points, setting the stage for a dramatic third.
Lockett made his move with a minute left, and managed to score 2 points to tie it at 3. With 23 seconds left, Lockett ceded position to Murphy to give him a point, hoping to score two on a takedown from neutral. Unfortunately, Lockett fired, but ran out of time, and took second place.
In the consolation finals for third place, Logan Toth did battle with Walsh Jesuit’s Dominic DiPetro. The Warrior took an early 2-0 lead into the second, before Toth managed an escape to draw within one early in the second period. DiPetro then took command and gained positioning on Toth, tabbing two points to take a 4-1 lead into the third. DiPetro notched a takedown for a pair early in the third, extending the lead to five. Toth fought back with an escape, but his comeback fell short. Toth settled for fourth place, losing by decision, 8-3.
The Wildcats’ final match occurred at 195. Michael Drobnick faced off against Jake Thompson from Archbishop Moeller. Each played football this past fall, as Drobnick played wideout for the Football Cats and Thompson played at defensive back for the Crusaders.
The bout started evenly, with each sparring but neither having any success. Thompson struck first with a takedown with 45 seconds left in the first, taking a 2-0 lead into the second. Thompson scored again on an escape to increase the lead to three. Drobnick attacked, but could not land anything, entering the third with a 3-point deficit. Unfortunately for Drobnick, Thompson exploited an opening and managed to pin Drobnick at the 4:51 mark of the match.
All things considered, the Saint Ignatius wrestling coaching staff considers the tournament a smashing success.
“We’re really pleased with how the tournament went,” Polick said. “I would like to take a moment to thank Coach Sullivan for his support in running the tourney, as well as the Saint Ignatius wrestling parents and families. A big thank you also to the Saint Ignatius athletics staff, Plant Services Department, the IT Department, and everyone who played a role in making this a great tournament.”
TEAM STANDINGS:
1. Elder – 275.5 (#1 big school)
2. Lake Catholic – 200.5 (#2 big school)
3. Chaminade Julienne – 158 (#1 small school)
4. Saint Ignatius – 154.5
5. Padua – 153.5
6. Moeller – 124.5
7. Walsh Jesuit – 98.5
8. Dayton Carroll – 90
9. Toledo Central Catholic – 79.5
10. St. John's Jesuit – 78.5
11. St. Xavier – 65.0
12. Newark Catholic – 63.0
13. Benedictine – 61.0
14. Bishop Hartley – 60.5
15. VASJ – 60.0
16. Lima Central Catholic – 55.5
17. St. Charles – 54
18. St. Francis DeSales – 35.0
19. Archbishop McNicholas – 20.5
20. Cleveland Central Catholic – 12.0
21. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin – 10.0
22. Elyria Catholic – 9.0
22. Holy Name – 9.0
24. Trinity – 4.0
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS:
106: Willie Doepker – Elder
113: Jimmy Balazy – Padua
120: Hunter Ryan – Lake Catholic
126: Jordan McCrone – Lake Catholic
132: Jordan Ward – Moeller
138: Jordan Hinegardner – Lima Central Catholic (MVP)
145: Joseph Caprella – Toledo Central Catholic
152: Xavier Weathersby – Elder
160: Austin Murphy – Elder
170: Cole Hivnor – Lake Catholic
182: Charles Sanders – Elder
195: Jake Thompson – Moeller
220: Antonio McCloud – Elder
285: Jack Heyob – St. Xavier