Brecksville-Broadview Heights' Willet Places Third At State

The Brecksville-Broadview Heights Bees fielded four wrestlers at this past weekend’s OHSAA Division I State Wrestling Championships and came away with one third-place winner.

Senior Marshal Willet (37-7 record entering state) won third place in the 171-pound event with a 3-1 sudden victory decision over Springboro junior Brandon Walker. Willet’s quest for the title started off with two decisions over Painesville Riverside sophomore Evan Rosborough (11-5 score) and junior Brocky Leidecker of Ashville Teays Valley (11-4) to advance to the championship semifinals.

Junior Michael Baker of Twinsburg (36-2 record) edged Willet, 4-3, to send Willet to the consolation bracket. Willet topped Lakewood St. Edward junior Jacob Davis the same way he would win his third-place match – a 3-1 sudden victory decision.

At 130 pounds, Bees’ junior Mitch Baran (28-9) lost his opening match via a close 6-5 decision to Madison sophomore Nick Montgomery. In the consolations, Baran shutout sophomore Jake Ryan of Powell Olentangy by a 3-0 decision, only to lose his next match to Marysville sophomore Noah Forrider by a 3-1 decision.

Sophomore Quinton Hiles (26-9) suffered the same fate as teammate Baran. Wrestling at 140-pounds, Hiles was pinned by Fairfield senior standout Austin Sams (33-1) at 5:50 to send him to the consolation bracket. Hiles won his next match via a 5-2 decision over junior Aaron Thoman of Springboro, but lost his second consolation bout – a 7-2 decision to Medina junior Matt Hammer – to end his season.

At 160-pounds, Bees’ senior Kyle Roddy (31-7) started off strong, shutting out Mason senior Aaron Walden, 5-0, to advance to the next championship round match. Here, Mayfield senior Tylan Coleman (38-3) narrowly edged Roddy, 8-7, to send the Bees’ senior to the consolations. Senior Nick Kaczkowski of Powell Olentangy Liberty ended Roddy’s day with a 3-1 sudden victory decision.

Coach Todd Haverdill’s team finished tied for 27th overall with 17 points, well-behind winner Lakewood St. Edward (187 points). Massillon Perry (109), Wadsworth (96), Cincinnati Elder (72), and Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (66) round out the top five.

The championships, held at the Jerome Schottenstein Center at The Ohio State University in Columbus, enjoyed a five-session attendance total of 61,856. In the championship finals, more 14,000 (14,121 actual) saw 14 wrestlers crowned champion. In total, 100 schools and 224 wrestlers participated in 14 weight classes.

TEAM RESULTS

How they finished: 1. Lakewood St. Edward 187 points; 2. Massillon Perry 109; 3. Wadsworth 96; 4. Cincinnati Elder 72; 5. Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller 66; 6. Solon 57; 7. Medina 51; 8. Twinsburg 50; 9. Mayfield 45.5; 10. Springboro 43.5.

Area notables: 11. Cleveland St. Ignatius 37; 14. Copley 34; 16. Elyria 26.5; T17. Lyndhurst Brush 26; 20. Mentor 22; T27. Brecksville-Broadview Heights 17; T30. Maple Heights 15; T33. Lakewood 14; T35. Cleveland Rhodes, Macedonia Nordonia, North Canton Hoover 12; 39. Stow-Munroe Falls 11; T44. Chardon, Olmsted Falls 8; T46. Willoughby South 7; T50. Midpark, North Royalton 6; 55. Lorain 5.5; T56. Shaw 4; T62. Westlake 3; T68. Brunswick, Euclid 2; T73. Cuyahoga Falls, Strongsville 1.