Hey everyone! This is my column that’s running in the Akron Beacon Journal Friday, but it’s posted on Ohio.com now, as you can see. Thanks to everyone who submitted votes for their favorite high school nicknames. If there are other crazy nicknames from out of state, post them so we can all get some laughs. Thanks again!

Question: when is it better to have one instead of two?

According to Twinsburg coach Mark Solis, it is when his Tigers play on just one side of the ball. At least that is his hope as the Tigers travel to Aurora to face last year’s Division III state champions. Last year, the Tigers defeated the Greenmen in Twinsburg, 27-6, which made Aurora 1-2 at the time before they ran the table and took the state title.

“They have several players that go both ways and we don’t have any,” Solis says.

Aurora, which moved up to Division II this season, has destroyed Avon (42-14) and Crestwood (44-19).

Wadsworth High School sophomore-to-be Kagan Squire and Aurora High School senior-to-be Ty Mitch each won a national championship at the at the USA Cadet and Junior Freestyle & Greco-Roman Championships in Fargo, N.D. this past weekend.

Squire went undefeated in all 10 matches winning the Cadet National crown at 119 pounds. He earned All-American honors for the second consecutive year after placing third at 105 last year. Squire placed third in the Division I state tournament this past year for the Grizzlies at 112 with a record of 44-7.

Mitch, a two-time Division II state champion at Aurora, won the Junior Freestyle division at 119 pounds.

Squire led five Wadsworth High School wrestlers that ventured to Fargo to compete from July 18-25 as members of the Ohio Cadet and Junior National team.

All five Grizzlies won at least one match. Wadsworth sophomore-to-be Nick Tavanello earned All-American status for the first time as national runner up at 215. Tavanello also placed third in the state meet for the Grizzlies this past year at 215 with a record of 42-7.

Wadsworth junior-to-be Sheldon Brandenburg, who just missed All-American status for the second year in a row, went 3-2 in Freestyle and 0-2 in Greco Roman. Junior-to-be Alfredo Gray (1-2) and senior-to-be Brad Squire (1-2) rounded out the list of the Wadsworth participants.

Overall, the Ohio Cadet Freestyle team placed third as a team and the Ohio Junior Freestyle team placed tenth.

Ohio had three individual national champions: Kagan Squire, Ty Mitch and recent Brecksville graduate Jeremy Johnson (285).

Crestwood’s Paige Nemec was named a Junior Women’s All-Americans after placing third at 124).

Eleven area athletes were selected to play in all-star football games that will be played Saturday.

Here is a breakdown on the two games that will feature recent high school graduates:

–64th Ohio North-South All-Star Football Classic–

When: 4 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Ohio Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus.

Tickets: $5.

North team area players (Name, high school and college): Ben Bertsch, St. Vincent-St. Mary, University of Akron; Matt DeMore, Twinsburg, Capital; Armand Dehaney, Walsh Jesuit, Ball State; Tyler Fortner, Tallmadge, Akron; Tyler Houska, Highland, Youngstown State; Kyle Juszczyk, Cloverleaf, Harvard; Frank Orteca, Twinsburg, Mount Union; John Pettigrew, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Bowling Green; Cody Roberts, Cloverleaf, Cornell.

Notes: Twinsburg coach Mark Solis is on the North coaching staff. Fortner was picked to play, but he will sit out the game due to an injury, Tallmadge coach Joe Vassalotti said.

–52nd PNC Big 33 Football Classic–

Teams: Ohio vs. Pennsylvania.

When: 7 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, Pa.

Tickets: $18 and $10.

TV: NFL Network.

Ohio team area players (Name, high school and college): Adam Bellamy, Aurora, Ohio State University; Brian Slack, Archbishop Hoban, Miami (Oh.); Chris Snook, Highland, West Virginia.

Here is a list of 2009 Football Recruiting Classes for the University of Akron, Kent State, Ohio State and other local high school players that signed with other schools.

NOTE: This information was obtained from high schools and colleges in person or via e-mail, fax, mail, etc. There will be additional local players that will sign at a later date.

UA, KSU & OSU 2009 FOOTBALL CLASSES:

AKRON (24) — Bill Alexander, 5-10, 165, DB, Whigham, Ga.; Broderick Alexander, 6-2, 215, RB, Covington, Ga.; David Anderson, 6-2, 220, LB, Cincinnati; Jake Brandt, 6-6, 255, OL, Bexley, Ohio; Josh Couch, 6-3, 220, P, Carlisle, Ohio; Jake Delmonico, 5-11, 175, DB, Beaver Falls, Pa.; Jerrod Dillard, 6-5, 190, WR, Adrian, Mich.; Blake Fraley, 6-1, 225, LB, Hilliard, Ohio; Dee Friesen, 5-9, 165, WR, Jacksonville, Fla.; Randy Greenwood, 5-11, 180, WR, Fairport Harbor, Ohio; Chris Henderson, 6-2, 325, DL, Harrisburg, Pa.; Abdullah Homayed, 6-4, 235, DL, Dearborn, Mich.; Jordan Houser, 5-11, 180, DB, Fairborn, Ohio; Jeremy LaFrance (Jr.), 6-1, 200, WR, New Orleans; Anthony Meriwether, 6-2, 190, WR, Cleveland; Patrick Nicely, 6-4, 220, QB, Willoughby; Joe Petrides, 6-6, 255, OL, Baltimore; Nolan Procter, 5-9, 170, WR, Southfield, Mich.; Jon Root, 6-6, 225, TE, Fairview, Pa.; Adam Steiner, 6-2, 215, LS, Canton (GlenOak); Phil Tonga (Jr.), 6-4, 275, DL, Torrance, Calif.; Joe Vidovic, 6-6, 265, OL, Willoughby; Diamond Weaver (Jr.), 5-10, 180, DB, Mobile, Ala.; Grant Williams, 6-5, 220, TE, Louisville, Ky.

KENT STATE (22) — Dri Archer, 5-7, 155, RB, Laurel, Fla.; Tyler Arend, 6-5, 295, OL, Paulding, Ohio; Luke Batton, 6-0, 200, LB, Macedonia (Nordonia); Anthony Bowman, 5-10, 168, ATH/RB, Detroit, Mich.; Dana Brown, 6-1, 265, DL, McKeesport, Pa.; Ed Cazenave, 6-2, 180, WR, Dallas, Ga.; Freddy Cortez, 6-0, 200, PK, Fort Meade, Fla.; Mike Daniels, 6-0, 195, DB, Greenville, N.C.; Jake Dooley, 6-2, 215, LB, Mason, Ohio; Zack Gonosz, 5-10, 185, S, Dallas, Ga.; Tyshon Goode, 6-1, 185, WR, Syracuse, N.Y.; Danny Gress, 6-1, 220, LB, Englewood, Ohio; DeVonte’ Helms, 6-3, 260, DL, Waldorf, Md.; Garrick Piggott, 6-1, 200, DB, Williamsburg, Va.; Max Plunkett, 6-8, 305, OL, Dayton; Darius Polk, 6-0, 180, DB, Lynchburg, Va.; Fabrice Pratt, 6-2, 180, DB, Miami; C.J. Steward, 6-1, 215, LB, Jacksonville, Fla.; Bryan Wagner, 6-5, 290, TE, Mantua (Crestwood); Jeff Walker, 6-5, 200, WR, Akron (Coventry); Kent Walker, 6-2, 235, LB, Kittanning, Pa.; Brian Winters, 6-5, 320, OL, Hudson (Hudson).

OHIO STATE (25) — C.J. Barnett, 6-1, 180, DB, Clayton, Ohio; Dorian Bell, 6-2, 220, LB, Monroeville, Pa.; Adam Bellamy, 6-4, 275, OL, Aurora (Aurora); Jaamal Berry, 5-10, 185, RB, Miami; Zach Boren, 6-1, 245, LB, Pickerington, Ohio; Corey Brown, 6-1, 190, ATH, Monroeville, Pa.; Duron Carter, 6-3, 185, WR, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Dominic Clarke, 5-10, 170, DB, Frederick, Md.; Melvin Fellows, 6-5, 255, DT, Garfield Heights; Chris Fields, 6-1, 180, WR, Painesville; Reid Fragel, 6-8, 258, TE, Grosse Pte., Mich.; Kenny Guiton, 6-2, 182, QB, Aldine, Texas; Jordan Hall, 5-11, 190, RB, Jeannette, Pa.; Marcus Hall, 6-6, 300, OL, Cleveland; Adam Homan, 6-2, 230, LB, Coldwater, Ohio; Carlos Hyde, 6-1, 235, RB, Naples, Fla.; James Jackson, 6-0, 175, WR, Grand Ledge, Mich.; Storm Klein, 6-2, 225, LB, Newark, Ohio; Corey Linsley, 6-4, 285, OL, Youngstown; Sam Longo, 6-5, 270, OL, Bellbrook, Ohio; Jack Mewhort, 6-6, 285, OL, Toledo; Jonathan Newsome, 6-3, 230, LB, Cleveland; John Simon, 6-3, 265, DT, Youngstown; Jordan Whiting, 6-1, 230, LB, Louisville, Ky.; Jamie Wood, 6-2, 185, ATH, Pickerington.

OTHER LOCAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS THAT SIGNED:

ASHLAND — Anthony Capasso, 5-11, 197, Soph. WR, Lakewood, (Kent State transfer); Cooper Ivan, 5-8, 171, DB, Massillon (Washington); Keith Dingler, 6-3, 260, OL, Massillon (Washington); David Lee, 5-7, 165, DB, Akron (St. Vincent-St. Mary); Matt Rose, 6-2, 250, DL, Canton (Massillon Washington); Ethan Scott, 5-9, 185, DB, Akron (Archbishop Hoban); Andrew Volcheck, 5-10, 210, LB/DB, Tallmadge (Archbishop Hoban).

BALL STATE — Armand Dehaney, 5-9, 178, WR/DB, Maple Heights (Walsh Jesuit).

BOWLING GREEN — John Pettigrew, 5-10, 185, RB, Maple Heights (Cuyahoga Valley Christian
Academy); Alex Thomas, 6-2, 218, LB, Stow (Stow-Munroe Falls).

FINDLAY — Monterae Williams, 5-9, 185, RB, Canton (McKinley).

INDIANA — Pat McShane, 6-5, 290, OL/DT, Stow (Walsh Jesuit).

INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA — Cory Lanterman, 6-1, 180, WR, (Streetsboro).

MIAMI (OHIO) — Brian Slack, 6-5, 228, TE-DL, Akron (Archbishop Hoban).

MICHIGAN — Justin “J.T.” Turner, 6-2, 185, CB-RB, Massillon (Washington).

MICHIGAN STATE — Nate Klatt, 6-4, 280, C, Canal Fulton (Northwest).

MILFORD ACADEMY — Mikey Bickley, 6-0, 170, WR, Akron (East); Jackie Adams, 6-1, 195 RB/LB, Akron (East).

NORTHWESTERN — Brian Smith, 6-8, 295, OL/DT, Medina (Walsh Jesuit).

OHIO DOMINICAN — Jon Haught, 5-11, 220, LB/RB, Cuyahoga Falls (Walsh Jesuit); Garrett Wilcox, 6-3, 225, LB, Streetsboro (St. Vincent-St. Mary).

ROBERT MORRIS — Matt Gavin, 5-10, 160 CB, Akron (East).

WALSH — Jesse Mason, 6-2, 190, QB, (Green); Dominic Williams, 5-9, 186, DB/RB, Akron (Archbishop Hoban).

WEST VIRGINIA — Chris Snook, 6-2, 220, FB-LB, Medina (Highland).

YOUNGSTOWN STATE — Theo Barnes, 6-3, 240, DL, Akron (Archbishop Hoban); Conner Seeman, 6-4, 250, TE, (Copley).

When it comes to track, it’s always about who ran the fastest, jumped the highest or threw the shot or the discus the farthest. But sometimes there are stories, GREAT, INSPRATIONAL STORIES, that don’t have to do with who won.

For instance, I remember watching the local news in the fall, I think it was, and there was an amazing story about a young lady (she may have been from the Youngstown area), who was competing in the state high school cross country meet and was almost near the finish line. Then came a gruesome sight. She broke her leg on the course and fell to the ground.

But this young lady had the courage and fortitude to crawl and limp her way to the finish line, despite being in obvious pain.

It was a story of incredible self-will. This young lady needed medical help, but she didn’t want it. She was withering with pain but she wanted to finish that race, and if you watched the video, you couldn’t help but get a little emotional, knowing she was in a world of pain. But watching her will her way to that finish line, regardless of the pain she was experiencing, was breathtaking and moving.

The yound lady gave a great television interview a few days later and it was great to see she was doing well and was in good spirts. I think she even joked that all she was thinking about, when she went down, was that she wasn’t going to be able to dance at her sister’s wedding later that night.

I witnessed another incredible story, but it didn’t involve injury. A few years ago I was covering a regional track meet at Ravenna and the Copley girls were favored in this particular relay event. As the race began, Copley was right there, as expected. But during one of the exchanges, the baton was dropped and the team was out of the race.

The young lady who dropped the baton was devasted. I mean, I had never seen an athlete more distraught. What I found out later was that the young lady was only a sophomore and there were two seniors on that relay team. The sophomore felt she had blown it for the seniors because it was their last chance to make it to state.

She was on the infield of the track, as the race was still going, slumped over an emotional ball.

She just shuddered and shook as she cried.

Then, former Copley standout Carrie Dyer, who was a senior and on that relay team, ran to the young runner to comfort her.

Then the rest of the realy team followed.

To me, that was one of the most inspirational stories I had ever witnessed.

The sophomore was heartbroken. But she was heartbroken because she cared about her teammates and wanted to perform at her best so that it would help the seniors.

It didn’t happen. But when it didn’t happen, the seniors weren’t mad, bitter or upset. They showed support for their younger teammate because they loved her. And in the end, winning didn’t matter.

So, with that, I’m asking readers to post any inspirational stories you witnessed, in track or any other sport, that didn’t involve someone winning.

A story where someone overcame odds to get where they are. Or a story about teammates helping one another.

Those are the most compelling stories.

The 71st annual state wrestling tournament concluded with four area wrestlers winning a state title on Saturday night at the Value City Arena within the Jerome Schottenstein Center on the campus of the Ohio State University.

Please check out the print Akron Beacon Journal or the ohio.com website on the Internet for coverage about the state tournament that appeared from Thursday through Sunday.

Here is a quick synopsis:

Champions

Brunswick senior Richie Spicel won the Division I 140-pound state title and finished the season with a 43-0 record under the leadership of coach Mike Koshar. Spicel also won a state championship as a freshman in 2005 at 130 pounds.

Walsh Jesuit senior Chase Skonieczny won the Division II 135-pound title and finished the season at 44-2 under the guidance of coach Bill Barger.

Perry junior Seth Horner won the Division I 130-pound state title and finished the season at 40-4 under the leadership of coach Brent McBurney. Horner defeated Wadsworth sophomore Brad Squire (42-3) in the finals.

Aurora sophomore Ty Mitch won the Division II 103-pound state title and finished the season at 39-5 under the guidance of coach Dick Bliss. Mitch’s triumph came at the expense of Walsh Jesuit freshman Johnni DiJulius (48-5), who is also a close friend.

Runner’s-up

The area also featured eight wrestlers that placed second.

In Division I: Squire, Barberton senior Adam Cogar (47-1 at 215) and Perry juniors Sam White (37-3 at 112) and Nick Heflin (45-4 at 152).

In Division II: DiJulius and Highland junior Tyler Houska (39-6 at 215).

In Division III: Norwayne senior J.D. Smyers (44-2 at 171) and Triway senior Cory Akin (34-9 at 215) in Division III.

It should be noted that Squire and White were champions in 2007, a headline for the Sunday wrestling notebook was a little misleading regarding White.

A simply amazing kid

Hillsboro senior Dustin Carter’s qualification for the state wrestling tournament at 103 pounds caught the attention of many in Columbus.

A rare blood disorder at age 5 led to limb damage. Carter, a quadruple amputee, has built a powerful upper body. His arms end near his elbows, his legs above where knees would be. When he doesn’t wrestle, he uses prosthetic legs.

He was recognized before the semifinal round Friday and received a roaring, standing ovation that lasted over a minute. CBS interviewed him Thursday and filmed his first-round match, a victory.

Carter lost twice Friday, however, and finished the season 40-4.

Splendid Records

Richie Spicel concluded his Brunswick career as the school’s all-time leader in wins with 160. He said he is considering going to college and wrestling at Asland University, Ohio University and Gardner-Webb.

Chase Skonieczny, a Kent State recruit, concluded his career with a 166-26 record. The 166 wins are a school record at Walsh Jesuit.

Adam Cogar is headed to the University of Virginia to wrestle and study pre-med after compiling a 175-21 record under the leadership of coach Dave Mariola. He carries a 4.2 cumulative grade point average. The 175 wins are a school record at Barberton.

Johnni DiJulius’ 48 wins are the most in a single season at Walsh Jesuit.

Smooch, smooch

Walsh Jesuit coach Bill Barger planted a kiss on the forehead of Warriors senior Chase Skonieczny in the media room after the 135-pound wrestler won the Division II state title.

“I have been around it a lot and they are all special, especially for a kid that grinds it out,” Barger said.

Skonieczny, Walsh’s 39th state champion, jumped into the arms of assistant coaches Jeff Black and Clint Musser on the mat following his 5-0 victory in the finals.

“I have been coming down here since I was a little kid,” said the 18-year-old Skonieczny, who entered this season as a three-time state placer in high school and with a decorated resume as a youth and middle school wrestler. “It’s 15 years in the making. March 1st, it’s been my day all season. It’s been marked on my phone and on my calendar at home.”

Surprisingly explosive

Horner and Squire put together a very good match, that Horner ultimately won 4-2 in overtime.

“He’s very strategic,” Wadsworth coach John Gramuglia said of Horner. “He’s explosive and he’ll lull you to sleep. He is very hard to wrestle. You don’t expect the explosiveness and then boom he’s by you. He’s a heck of an athlete.”

Scarlet and Gray

Austintown Fitch senior Tony Jameson (145 pounds) became the 16th wrestler in the state tournament’s history to win four state titles.

Following Jameson’s victory he paraded around the mat with an Ohio State banner and received a loud ovation. Jameson, 4-2 this season and 168-6 in his career, is an OSU recruit.

High School Football Playoff Schedule

Note: These are probable playoff matchups according to www.joeeitel.com and the matchups have changed several times on Saturday, which means they might be different on the website on Sunday. Official OHSAA playoff pairings will be released Monday.

Friday’s Games
(All games 7:30 p.m., unless noted)

Division II, Region 5
Firestone (7-3) at Tallmadge (9-1)

Division II, Region 7
Lake (7-3) at Louisville (8-2)

Division III, Region 9
Field (9-1) at Walsh Jesuit (8-1)
Cortland Lakeview (8-2) at Aurora (9-1)
Ravenna (8-2) at Mentor Lake Catholic (6-3)

Divison III, Region 11
Poland Seminary (7-3) at Northwest (10-0)
New Concord John Glenn (8-2) at West Branch (8-2)
Canton South (6-4) at Dover (7-3)

Divison V, Region 17
Northwestern (9-1) at Waynedale (8-2)

Saturday’s Games
(All games 7 p.m., unless noted)

Division I, Region 2
GlenOak (6-4) at Brunswick (10-0)
Toledo St. John’s Jesuit (6-4) at North Canton Hoover (8-2)
Perrysburg (8-2) at Nordonia (9-1)
Wadsworth (9-1) at Toledo Whitmer (8-2)

Division IV, Region 13
CVCA (9-1) at Stuebenville (10-0)
Tusky Valley (8-2) at Canton Central Catholic (9-1)
Lake Co. Perry (9-1) at St. Vincent-St. Mary (8-2)

Division VI, Region 21
Columbiana (7-3) at Mogadore (9-1)

Aurora senior catcher Collin Sanford has committed to continue his academic and baseball career at the University of Cincinnati.

Sanford his .431 with nine RBI to help the Greenmen reach a Division II district final.

Sanford, whose career batting average at Aurora is .430, will join his older brother, Evan, as a member of the Bearcats baseball team. Evan Sanford, a Walsh Jesuit graduate, is a sophomore pitcher.

In other Aurora baseball news, Greenmen coach George Snider said the team will play in a new, state-of-the-art stadium next season. An alumni game scheduled for July 4 will be the first game played on the new field, Snider said.

Posted by Michael Beaven for the Beacon Journal

The Aurora baseball team won their Division II district semifinal game over Parma Padua Franciscan in exciting fashion Wednesday night at Bedford High School.

The Greenmen won 11-10 after scoring four runs in the last inning, and advance to play Parma Holy Name in a district final at 4 p.m. Thursday at Bedford. 

Aurora senior Beau Calcei came to the plate Wednesday night with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning and two outs. The Greenmen were trailing 11-9 until Calcei delivered with two strikes on him. 

Calcei hit a three-run triple down the right-field line to win the game and end an evening which included a steady dose of rain.

“We are a wild team because we hit the ball a lot,” Aurora coach George Snider said. “Generally we pitch real well too.”

Snider said Calcei is no stranger to getting a dramatic hit.

“He won a sectional final game with a home run to beat Streetsboro,” Snider said.

Aurora, which allowed just three hits, won despite making six errors. Snider said that’s a product of youth, as the G-Men (14-6) start five sophomores, a freshman and three seniors.

“We have a perfect mix,” Snider said. “We have solid leadership with our seniors and some real athletic sophomores who all started last season as freshman.”  

Calcei also had a single. Aurora sophomore Joe Taylor had a triple, three singles and three RBI to lead an offense which produced 15 hits. Sophomore Andy Heacox had a single, double and three RBI, and senior Michael Eden had two singles and an RBI.

Greenmen freshman pitcher Ty Wood (2-0) earned the win in relief.