Five Greater Akron/Canton high school wrestlers who helped their Division I state cause
COLUMBUS — With 54 Greater Akron/Canton wrestlers competing for a Division I state title, the action came fast and furious Friday in Value City Arena.
The USA Today thought these five wrestlers set themselves up nicely for the state quarterfinals, which begin at 10:45 a.m. Saturday.
OHSAA Division I, 106 pounds
Blake Frantz, Wadsworth
The Frantz family called their shot before the tournament, and the Grizzlies sophomore delivered with a 2-0 win over projected state champion Timothy Mazur of St. Edward.
Frantz, who just missed placing last year, scored a takedown 24 seconds in. Mazur chose top in the second period, but couldn’t turn Frantz.
The two-time Wadsworth placer opted for neutral in the third and held on for a 2-0 win.
“I’m just pushing and going forward,” Frantz said. “I’m going to keep on my offense. It’s a good win and gives me the confidence to go forward.”
OHSAA Division I, 106 pounds
Brandon Bickerton, Highland
Bickerton didn’t exactly get the luck of the draw on this one with returning state placer Luke Green of Aurora as his opening match.
Still, Bickerton scored three takedowns to double up on his Suburban League Tournament win and advance.
“Obviously there’s a lot of nerves,” Bickerton said. “My coaches just told me to come into here and wrestle like it’s just another tournament. That’s the mindset you have to have to make it a fun experience. I’m going to take advantage of it as a freshman.”
OHSAA Division I, 132 pounds
Robert Davis, Stow
The returning state placer Davis opened his senior state tournament just like he did his junior tournament.
With a win.
This time Davis left no doubt with a 99-second pin over Westland’s Lucas Crosier. The fall came with a takedown and two sets of nearfall points to leave no doubt.
“That bullpen over there is meant to scare you,” Davis said. “It’s dark in there, so when you come out here it gets your nerves up. Last year, it definitely got me, and I didn’t wrestle my best. This year is easier for me to do what I do.”
OHSAA Division I, 138 pounds
Charles Curtis, Perry
The two-time state placer knows just how important every point is in the team race if the Panthers want to knock off St. Edward.
He wasted little time in a 2:25 pin.
“This sets the tone for the rest of your matches,” Curtis said. “I’m wrestling great, but I have to keep increasing the pace as the matches go on. Sleep is very important. Coaches stress that we need to get eight hours to be refreshed. I’m going back and getting 10.”
OHSAA Division I, 144 pounds
Israel Petite, Nordonia
Petite has been to state four times and placed twice, so he knew exactly what to do in his first match with GlenOak’s Ethan Leu.
While Leu tried to throw the future Robert Morris football star, Petite hung back and rolled to a 9-1 win.
“He was trying to slow me down and hit a throw,” Petite said. “We studied him, though, so we knew what he was going to do. He was trying to catch me. I was just being smart. I got the first win out of the way, and that’s always the hardest. From here on out, I’ll be on it.”
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: OHSAA state wrestling: 5 area wrestlers stand out in D-I tournament
