Cuyahoga Heights and Kirtland both turned in strong performances at the 2018 Redskin Invitational at Cuyahoga Heights on Saturday.
The host Redskins finished third behind Barberton and Waynedale while Kirtland placed sixth overall.
“We were hoping to win the tournament but will only improve throughout the year,” Cuyahoga Heights coach Dave Meade said.
Nine Cuyahoga Heights wrestlers earned a spot on the podium with Nolan Frye and Luke Hopkins both winning individual titles.
Frye finished pool wrestling 3-0 with three pins then flattened Rocky River’s Ian Zender in the semifinals and beat Kirtland’s Will Davidson, 15-3, in the 106-pound championship bout. Hopkins was 2-0 in pool wrestling with a pair of pins. He pinned Rocky River’s Josh Bergin in the 132-pound semifinals then beat Barberton’s Charles Westfall in the championship bout, 10-4.
“Nolan Frye and Luke Hopkins both took first place by being aggressive and attacking throughout all their matches,” Meade said. “I thought our upperclassmen did an excellent job and our younger guys won some matches and got their feet wet in a tough high school tournament.”
Also placing for the Redskins were Antonio Chieffallo (5th at 113), Brandon Meade (2nd at 120), Dustin Kattler (4th at 120), Ryan Krajewski (6th at 126), Camden Pluth (6th at 138), Luke Torgerson (5th at 152) and Nathan Glinka (3rd at 182).
Kirtland’s Jeff Kusar won the 285-pound title with a 5-0 record and five pins. He pinned all four of his pool wrestling foes in 4:29 then stuck Brookside’s Tony Garza in the championship bout in 5:44.
Kirtland’s other placers included Will Davidson (2nd at 106), Konnor Duncan (3rd at 126), Aidan Marsh (6th at 152), Brayden Adkins (5th at 170), Brennon Braud (6th at 195) and Anthony Gencarelli (5th at 285).
