It was a busy weekend for the men of Ohio City.
The Wildcats sent wrestlers to three different tournaments – the Ironman Tournament at Walsh Jesuit, the North Coast Classic at Independence High School, and the Dean Kinley Invitational at Cleveland Central Catholic.
All in all, it was a solid weekend for the Wildcats.
Johnny Novak and Timmy Putka repped the Wildcats at the nationally renowned Ironman Tournament. Each year, the tournament brings some of the best wrestling talent in the country to Northeast Ohio.
Putka started things off at 106 pounds. The sophomore faced Carson Webb of Christianburg, Virginia in the second round after a bye. Putka lost to the tough foe in a first-round pin, dropping him to the consis. Putka bounced back with a victory by pin at 4:23 of the match, a very nice victory. But then Ethan Rodrigues of Broken Arrow High School (Oklahoma) dealt him a defeat, and Putka's tournament was over.
After a first-round bye, Novak got down to business at 113. The senior bested his first foe, Drew Dulcie of Massillon Perry. Novak won the bout with ease in a 6-0 shutout. Then he found himself pitted against the No. 1 seed, Brett Ungar of Notre Dame High School in Easton, Pennsylvania. Novak lost the contest in the second period via tech fall to the eventual runner-up. Novak looked to bounce back in the consolations, but was unable to. The captain lost to Parker Witcraft of Broken Arrow.
Looking towards the rest of the varsity squad, the Wildcats placed 19th out of 30 schools. The Mat Cats were without several grapplers due to injury.
Joey Novak led the way for the Wildcats at 113. The sophomore tabbed a 5-2 record at the tournament, earning a 7th place finish.
Sticking with the lightweights, Connor Gisztl received a time to shine. The bright sophomore tabbed a 5-4 record on the weekend with some nice wins.
Grayson McLellan did well again after his Magis Athlete of the Week effort. McLellan notched a 4-1 mark in the tournament with some nice efforts for the Cats.
Sam Infante looked good again this weekend, tallying a 6-4 mark. Infante will be another name to watch this season, at 138.
Seniors Ethan Tomford, Evan Arko, and Tommy Buckles all performed well for the Wildcats in Independence. Tomford led the squad with 7 wins with a 7-3 mark for the weekend. Arko penned a 5-4 tally for the event. Buckles continued his solid start to the season, earning a 6-4 mark. Cayden Periandri finished at .500 at 195, with a 4-4 record.
Looking at the youts, two freshmen placed at the Cleveland Central Catholic varsity tournament, the Dean Kinley Invitational. Angelo Camargo and Ryan "The Animal" Putka each earned 2nd with some very good wrestlers challenging them. Carmago and Putka's prize? A picture with Coaches Sullivan and Gibbons. That's one to put in the Christmas card and maybe frame on the wall (next to your pictures of Coach Sully playing in the Rose Bowl).
The Wildcats return to action on Thursday, heading to Lakewood for the annual dual match vs. St. Edward.