The Saint Ignatius varsity wrestling team enjoyed an eventful and ultimately successful day at the Sectional Tournament at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School on Saturday.
Najee Lockett and Michael Drobnick highlighted the day by winning their weight classes, 160 and 195, respectively. Meanwhile, seven other Mat Cats managed to qualify for Districts next week, and three others did enough to clinch district alternate spots.
As a team, the Wildcats finished second, notching 204 points. Brecksville-Broadview Heights earned the Sectional Championship with 331.5. Berea-Midpark (186.5), Parma (131.5), and Lakewood (101.5) rounded out the top five of the 12 teams present.
106
Johnny Novak, the Wildcats' promising lightweight, matched his seed placement on Saturday. Entering as the No. 3 seed, Novak received a bye in the first round before facing Berea-Midpark's Shane Heil, the No. 2 seed. Novak lost to Heil, 10-4, dropping to the consolation bracket. Novak did not lose again, pinning a foe from Parma and notching a major decision against Mitch Shuba of Strongsville to claim third place. Novak qualifies for Districts.
113
The Wildcats' young 113-pounder, Jack Bush, ran into a lot of tough competition on Saturday. Bush faced the No. 1 seed and eventual sectional champ, Andrew Perelka, in his first bout. Bush fell to Perelka, dropping to the consolations. Bush pinned his next opponent, but dropped a narrow 3-1 decision to Bradey Humble of North Royalton. Bush did finish the day with a win, however, beating Jacob Lampa from Normandy to become a district alternate.
120
The Wildcats did not have a wrestler at this weight class.
126
Competing in Sectionals for the first time in his career, No. 4 seed DJ Huff wrestled with a vengeance. The junior tech-falled No. 5 seed David Miller of North Royalton. Huff then faced No. 1 seed Jimmy Carmany of Brecksville. Huff fought fiercely, taking the match to overtime. However, Huff was dealt a 3-2 loss. The Wildcats' hard-working captain used the loss as motivation to mow through the rest of the field, securing 17-2 and 22-3 tech fall wins to notch third place and a spot at Districts.
132
Patrick McGraw entered the day with a 23-9 record and a deserved spot as the No. 2 seed. McGraw showed his toughness in his first two matches, tech-falling two foes to advance to the title bout. However, Gabriel Tagg proved to be just too much for McGraw, handing the Wildcats' junior a 9-3 loss. Even still, McGraw is not done yet – he secured a spot at Districts.
138
Zach Tomford repped the Wildcats at 138, and did so well. The senior won his first two matches for the squad, including a win via pin. Tomford met his match in the semifinal, however, losing to the No. 2 seed Ben Blicke of Strongsville. Tomford did not surrender though, winning his first consolation match, 4-1, and the third place match via pin to ensure he will wrestle at Districts.
145
Zach Morgan drew a difficult foe in the first round – the No. 1 seeded Victor Voinovich of Brecksville. Voinovich pinned Morgan, but the Wildcats' junior found his sea legs in the consolation round. Morgan won four straight matches – three by pin – to impressively earn himself a spot next week at Districts. Kudos to Morgan for fighting through the consolation round to third place.
152
Michael Caldwell ran into a tough No. 3 seed in Ben Vanadia in his first matchup. The senior fell to the Brecksville grappler, dropping to the consolations. Caldwell rebounded with a pin in the next round before he fell to a foe from Parma. Caldwell ended the day with a 5-0 win to claim fifth place in his weight class to snag fifth and an alternate spot at Districts.
160
Najee Lockett has provided highlights for the blue and gold all season, and today was no different. The No. 1 seed breezed through the first two rounds with a win by pin and a major decision. Lockett did not slow down in the final, easily sweeping past the No. 3 seed Gavin Ziol out of Parma. Lockett's impressive 19-3 tech fall win made him the sectional champ at 160 and punching his ticket to Districts.
170
Logan Toth's day began on a positive note with a pin in 2:43 at 170 before running into the Brecksville buzzsaw. The No. 1 seed and eventual sectional champ, Ethan Hatcher, defeated Toth to send him to the consis. Toth did not let his senior year go quietly into the night, however, winning by pin and via forfeit to cement his claim on a spot in the District Tournament.
182
Tommy Gill started the Sectional Tournament with a bang, notching a pin in his first match. Gill was bounced to the consis in the next round, though, falling to Nick Franks, the eventual champ. Gill also received a loss in the consolations, but won the fifth place match, becoming a District Alternate.
195
The second sectional champ came at 195, as Michael Drobnick added another accomplishment to his long résumé. The No. 1 seed tabbed two wins to secure the championship – a 4-1 decision and a pin in 5:04. Drobnick will look to continue his farewell run next weekend at Districts. (Also, congratulations to Mike on committing to the University of Dayton, where he will further his promising academic and athletic careers!)
220
The Wildcats' talented three-sport student-athlete, Aidan Gill, made his present felt in Brecksville. Gill drew the No. 2 seed and cruised into the championship bout with a win via pin and a 7-0 decision. Gill came up against Brecksville's No. 1 seed Zach D'Anna in the final match. The bout proved to be grueling, with Gill ekeing out a narrow 3-2 decision for the championship. Despite the loss, Gill will compete next weekend at Districts.
285
The Wildcats did not have a wrestler at this weight class.
The District Tournament will take place next Friday and Saturday in Perrysburg. Stay tuned for updates on the Mat Cats.