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Mat Cats Learn from Tough Competition at Brecksville Holiday Tournament

By Joe Ginley '12 , 12/30/19, 10:15PM EST

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Johnny Novak earned his 100th victory on Sunday.

At this stage of the season, it's all about learning for a young Saint Ignatius wrestling squad.

The Wildcats learned plenty on Sunday and Monday, competing against great competition at the Brecksville Holiday Tournament.

The most notable part of the two-day tourney was Johnny Novak hitting an important milestone.

Over the last four years, Novak has been an exceptional wrestler for the Wildcats. So, it was only a matter of time before he followed in the footsteps of many other great grapplers and notched his 100th win. 

Novak's achievement occurred on the opening day of the tournament on Sunday. Novak bested Drew Dulcie of Massillon Perry in a 10-3 decision in his first match. Novak's 100th win is something to be celebrated and held in very high esteem. Wrestling is a tough sport – it's one of endurance, toughness, and heart. Novak embodies each of those three things, particularly Heart with a capital H. Novak is going places in life, because of that Heart and his determination and willingness to work.

Novak wasted little time in getting his 101st win. The senior won by major decision over Gabe Alda of Bellevue, 12-0, advancing to the quarterfinal. Unfortunately, Win #102 proved to be difficult to attain. Novak lost by pin in the quarterfinal, and dropped a 7-4 decision in the opening round of consolations. Even still, Novak notched 7 team points.

Timmy Putka experienced a little more trouble at 106. The youngster suffered a defeat in his opening match, and then lost by decision in his first consolation bout. Grayson McLellan also dropped his opener, but the junior did manage to win his first consolation match by fall with just two seconds left in the first period. But then in a grueling match, McLellan lost a heartbreaker by decision to Detroit Catholic Central's Caleb White, 9-6. McLellan tabbed 4 team points.

Jack Bush also scored a handful of points for the Cats. The junior lost his first contest in similar fashion, running into a 20-3 buzzsaw in Dylan Shawver of Elyria. Still, Bush bounced back with a major decision win over DCC's Christian Werner. But then Bush dropped his next consi battle, settling for 3 team points.

Calum Campolieti did win his initial bout, pinning his opponent from Toledo Whitmer late in the event. But then the 138-pounder lost two matches by pin and decision, earning 6 points for the weekend.  

Sam Infante (145), Evan Arko (152), Tommy Buckles (170), Andrew Chime (182), Josh Dinya (195), and Carter Zimmerman (220) were held without points. Each of the Wildcat challengers lost both of their matches in tough brackets. 

Patrick Clink, the Wildcats' heavyweight contender, did manage to score 5 points for the men of Ohio City. The team's rep at 285 lost his first bout, but rebounded with a win by pin over Justin Houtz of Elmwood. Then Clink lost by pin in his next consolation match, dropping out of the tournament.

The Wildcats will take a breather for the New Year, then get back into it at the Minutemen Duals at Revere High School on Saturday, January 11.