From Mia Gaetjens to Keegan Sell, meet Portage County's 17 state wrestling qualifiers

Meet this year's 17 state wrestling qualifiers from Portage County:

Division I

Luke Green, Aurora junior (second at Hoover, 106 pounds, 24-7 record)

Green had a huge sophomore season, placing eighth in his state debut, and has been no less impressive as a junior. Greenmen coach Jeremy Johnson said he's "really impressed with the way Luke is wrestling right now," highlighting his consistency from match to match.

Johnny Green, Aurora junior (third at Hoover, 113, 36-7)

A three-time state qualifier and two-time state placer, Green has "been there, done that," per Johnson, and "he's just ready for the opportunity." While the Division I 113-pound weight class is "extremely competitive," Johnson said Green is "ready for that challenge."

Drake Brasiel, Aurora sophomore (fourth at Hoover, 150, 32-13)

Knee surgery knocked Brasiel out for most of his freshman season, meaning this is his first postseason for the Greenmen. He hardly looked daunted, with Johnson "really happy with the way he's been wrestling and the way he carries himself."

Cole Walton, Aurora junior (third at Hoover, 157, 36-10)

After going 2-2 at district a year ago, Walton surged to his first state berth with a 4-1 performance at this year's Hoover District. His four wins included a first-round pin, a tech fall and two major decisions. Per Johnson, Walton is "always going to be the guy who goes out there and wrestles as hard as he can for as long as he can."

Division II

Anthony Sindelar, Streetsboro sophomore (second at Kenston, 120, 41-7)

At the North Coast Classic in early December, coach Mark Skonieczny said Sindelar "wrestled a beautiful tournament." That proved to be an omen as Sindelar went on to win a Metro Athletic Conference title and then prevailed in a tight quarterfinal and semifinal at the Kenston District to earn his first state berth.

Division III

Dominic Kemble, Southeast sophomore (fourth at Independence, 120, 34-7)

After falling just short of state as a freshman, Kemble suffered late-season injuries that "didn't put us in the best position in terms of being able to work the way we wanted to," said coach Shane Kuberry, but he "fought through it and just set himself up real well and just the mental toughness always comes to the top."

J.P. Wrobel, Crestwood senior (first at Independence, 126, 44-3)

A four-time state qualifier, Wrobel is hoping to hit the podium for the first time. He said he plans to take the approach recommended by his uncle: "My uncle told me the sun comes up tomorrow no matter what. It's actually helped me a lot because I'm just able to enjoy it because I know it's just a wrestling match. I go out there, just have fun, most importantly, and whatever happens happens."

Nick Malek, Rootstown junior (third at Independence, 132, 38-8)

Per Rovers coach Anthony Anderson, "When Malek is running his offense and he's pulling the trigger and forcing the mistakes," he's hard to beat. The junior clinched his second straight state appearance with a thrilling 1-0 blood-round win in Independence and is now chasing his first win at the Schottenstein Center.

Nathan Lee, Rootstown junior (second at Independence, 138, 33-13)

Anderson called Lee his "dark horse," a wrestler who has caught fire at the perfect time of year en route to earning his first state berth. Lee's Independence District runner-up finish included the junior wrestling "the best I've seen Nathan wrestle all year" in his semifinal win over Manchester's Phil Partin.

Tyler Paulus, Rootstown senior (fourth at Independence, 144, 31-8)

The key this year for Paulus, said Anderson, was "getting him attacking a little bit more." Per Anderson, Paulus "is really good at finding that cradle a lot, and we kind of got him back to doing that and he's had a lot of success with it" en route to his first state berth.

Dominic Duvall, Rootstown junior (third at Independence, 150, 38-7)

Duvall is back at the Schottenstein Center for the first time since his freshman season after winning a thriller in the district blood round. The junior is chasing his first state win after he dropped a couple of tight matches in Columbus as a freshman. Duvall stands out on the mat for his sheer physicality.

Tristen McKibben, Rootstown junior (third at Independence, 157, 39-7)

McKibben impressed in his state debut last year, falling just 6-3 to the eventual state runner-up and 4-2 to the eventual fourth-place finisher. Coming off another strong performance in Independence, where he went 4-1 and lost only to state favorite Tristin Greene of Keystone, McKibben is definitely one to watch in Columbus.

Keegan Sell, Garfield senior (first at Independence, 190, 50-1)

A three-time state placer who won his first state title a year ago, Sell doesn't expect any extra emotion in his return to the Schottenstein Center:

"[It's] kind of the same as it always is a little bit, you got a job to do at the end of the day," Sell said. "If you're losing the match, you go for something or that's it. Careers end in Columbus, and so just kind of go in there like any other year, ready to compete and take one match at a time."

Girls Division

Kai Gaetjens, Mogadore sophomore (second at Mentor, 130, 33-7)

Gaetjens showed a lot as a freshman, winning three straight consolation matches en route to finishing sixth at last year's state tournament. Per Wildcats coach Duane Funk, he expected Gaetjens to make state as a freshman but didn't expect her to place. This year, Funk won't be surprised no matter how far up the podium Gaetjens climbs as the sophomore has demonstrated a "knack to peak late in the season."

Lauren Carver, Southeast senior (first at Mentor, 155, 9-1)

Carver's 1-2 record at last year's state tournament doesn't tell the whole story as one of her two losses came down to the sudden victory period and the other was also highly competitive. Expect Carver, who went from third in the Mentor District last year to first as a senior, to capitalize on her higher seed. As Kuberry said of Carver's poise last year, "It's anybody, anytime, anywhere for her. We really feel comfortable with the way she's wrestling."

Mackenzie Shellenbarger, Mogadore sophomore (fourth at Mentor, 155, 28-13)

Per Funk, a lot of people didn't know about Shellenbarger this year after an injured knee kept her off the mat as a freshman. Funk, on the other hand, "knew she was going to make an impact this year just based on her toughness." Shellenbarger is coming off a 3-2 showing at district, with her only losses coming to district champion Carver and third-place finisher Isabella Adams and all three of her wins coming courtesy of pins.

Mia Gaetjens, Mogadore senior (first at Mentor, 170, 38-2)

A four-time state qualifier and two-time regional champ, Gaetjens impressed mightily in last year's Schottenstein Center debut, placing fifth with both of her losses coming by a single point, including a 3-2 setback to the eventual state champ. Per Funk, Gaetjens has got "good strength, good balance, all the tools you pretty much need."

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Seventeen Portage County wrestlers qualify for the state meet