A good Division I football prospect can help carry a high school football team through a season. Medina Highland is lucky enough to have at least three.

Running back/linebacker Chris Snook, linebacker Tyler Houska and kicker Eric Duale have all created plenty of buzz by college recruiters as they head into their senior season.

Snook brings the most notoriety of the group. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound linebacker has already committed to West Virginia. Last year Snook carried the ball 253 times for 1,409 yards and 14 touchdowns. he also recorded 35 tackles and 3.5 sacks last year as a safety. He projects as an outside linebacker at the next level.

Snook also had offers from plenty of Mid-American Conference schools including Bowling Green, Akron, Miami and Ohio as well as a slew of Big Ten schools. Wake Forest, of the AAC, were also strongly pursuing Snook.

Duale is beginning to pick up recruiting steam after performing well throughout summer camps. He was an All-Suburban league and All-County pick last year after he made 19-22 extra point attempts and hit 4-7 field goals. Duale also recorded 20 touchbacks.

He is currently ranked as the 26 best kicker available in the 2009 class by Chrissailerkicking.com and has drawn interest from Kent State, Indiana so far. He even has a recruiting video up on Youtube.

Teammate Tyler Houska is also beginning to generate some recruiting buzz as mostly Mid-American Conference schools are looking him at. Houska is also a standout heavyweight wrestler in the state and could take that route in college.

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.

Highland senior Cory Johnston has committed to continue his baseball and academic careers at Savannah (Ga.) College.

Johnston, a left-handed pitcher/outfielder, helped the Hornets reach a Division II regional final last season and earned first-team All-Suburban League honors.

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.

Second place in the Suburban League regular-season standings was at stake Thursday when Highland and Barberton faced off in a dual meet.

Junior Tyler Houska, who normally wrestles in the 215-pound weight class moved up to heavyweight to face Barberton junior Lance Coher in the meet’s final match. Houska entered the match with a 24-4 record, and Coher was 28-4.

Despite Coher’s weight advantage, Houska pinned him in 4:27, lifting Highland to a 38-33 victory over Barberton (12-2, 5-2). With the win, Highland (8-1, 6-1) finished second in the regular-season league standings behind defending champion Wadsworth (8-1, 7-0), a 59-9 winner over Cloverleaf on Thursday.

Barberton coach Dave Mariola juggled his lineup, moving several of his wrestlers into weight classes they don’t typically compete in. The Magics forfeited matches at 112 and 152 to avoid encounters with Highland seniors and returning state qualifiers Bart Young and Steve Timoteo. There were four Barberton wrestlers whose weight classes were different than they were this past Saturday at the 21st annual Bill Dies Memorial Tournament at Firestone High School.

Mariola’s strategy almost paid off. The Magics led 33-32 heading into the final match, but Houska delivered to shatter their dreams of two consecutive wins over the Hornets.

“It was an exciting match for the fans,” Mariola said. “Everybody is talking about how there’s no good dual meets anymore. I think this was nice to have it come down to the wire. It’s good for the sport.”

Highland, which won the Dies Tournament in part because of another clutch victory from Houska, had two wrestlers in weight classes that they were not accustomed to.

“I know Dave (Mariola) was doing the same thing,” Highland coach Mark Savoia said. “We analyze who’s going to win where and how. You try to calculate it to the best of your advantage to where you know you’re going to win.

“I hate moving kids around because some kids have to sit, and some kids have to face a monster. But you have to sit and figure it out. If you don’t, you’re not a very good coach. It’s pretty tedious and you do take a lot of heat for it, but the end result is what counts.”

Click here for a story about Highland vs. Barberton.

LEW STAMP/Akron Beacon Journal

Barberton’s Tony Yoder controls Highland’s Jordan Brant during a match in the 125-pound weight class Thursday at Barberton High School. Yoder won the match by pinning Brant in 4:54, but the Hornets defeated the Magics 38-33 to earn second place in the Suburban League regular-season standings.

The Kenmore wrestling team finished second with 188 points at the 21st annual Bill Dies Memorial Tournament Saturday at Firestone High School. The Highland Hornets edged the Cardinals for first place in the final team standings with 190 points.

Cardinals sophomores Garland McCormick (130) and Cody Lamberg (189) won individual titles.

McCormick, a 2007 state qualifier, went 5-0 during the weekend to improve his record to 21-4 this season. He defeated Tallmadge senior Jeff Brown by a 7-2 decision in his title match.

McCormick described using a visualization technique to stay focused during the two-day Dies Tournament.

“Every time something distracted me, I just thought about a blank piece of paper,” said McCormick, who went 1-2 and failed to place at the Dies Tournament in 2007. “I thought I can’t lose because it’s for the team. Everything I do is for the team.

“My godfather told me about a year ago when something frustrates you or something gets in your mind or you’re thinking about what will happen if you lose, just think of a blank piece of paper.”

McCormick’s godfather is Edward Bailey. Bailey is also Lamberg’s stepfather, and the two Cardinals Dies Tournament champions live together and think of each other as brothers.

Lamberg won one of the most intense title matches of the night against Waynedale senior Jared Neff, who finished third at the Division III state tournament last season.

Lamberg and Neff traded escapes as the lead changed five times. After trailing by one point late in the match, Lamberg scored a take down against Neff and held on for a 7-6 victory.

“I was just doing my best to keep him down,” said Lamberg, who improved his record to 24-0 this season. “I knew if I won this, it could potentially help our team to win the tournament.”

Click here for more information and results from the Dies Tournament.

The Wadsworth football team defeated Medina 30-24 in overtime Thursday night to improve its record to 3-0 this season.

Wadsworth senior running back Dru Jones scored the game-winning touchdown with a 20-yard run in overtime. Click here to read the Wadsworth-Medina game story by Tom Gaffney.

It was the second time this season Wadsworth won in overtime. The Grizzlies defeated Wooster 40-37 in four overtimes during Week 1. Wadsworth then beat Cuyahoga Falls 38-14 in Week 2.

Wadsworth will play in its Suburban League opener next week against Highland.

KEN LOVE/Akron Beacon Journal

Wadsworth running back Dru Jones carried the ball 19 times for 102 yards and a touchdown to help the Grizzlies defeat host Medina 30-24 in overtime.

Here is a preseason look at Suburban League football. In this post, you will find players (and any all-star recognition they received in the league last season) to watch from each team and my predictions for the upcoming season.

TALLMADGE (8-3 overall, 6-1 in the Suburban League last season)

Top players: Senior LB-RB Collin Haben (first-team Suburban League), senior QB-DB Patrick Pakan (first-team), senior LB-TE Aaron Donze (first-team), senior OL-DL Nick Fleming (second-team all-district in Division II and first-team SL), junior PK-P James Plunkett (first-team), senior OL-DL Jesse Hobbel, junior Zack Cevasco (first-team), junior RB-DB Tyler Fortner, junior OL-DL Nick White.

WADSWORTH (7-3, 5-2)

Top players: Senior RB Dru Jones (second-team All-Ohio and first-team all-district in Division I), junior OL-DL Ricky Canestraro (second-team SL), junior DB Anthony Lorubbio (second-team), junior LB-RB Jake Palidar (second-team).

GREEN (8-2, 5-2)

Top players: Senior OL Nick Bridenbaugh (second-team), senior OL-DL Cory Potter (second-team), senior DL Shane Callahan (second-team).

REVERE (5-5, 5-2)

Top players: Senior QB Taylor Newmann (first-team), senior OL-DL Patrick Lyden (first-team), senior WR-DB Mick Battaglia (second-team).

COPLEY (5-5, 4-3)

Top players: Senior WR-DB Joe Hanlin (first-team), senior RB Justin White-Reid (second-team), senior OL Tim Goodman (second-team), senior LB-RB Walt Harris (second-team), senior OL Drew Bowser (second-team).

CLOVERLEAF (3-7, 2-5)

Top players: Senior DL Justin Marrs (first-team), junior QB-DB Cody Roberts (second-team).

HIGHLAND (1-9, 1-6)

Top players: Junior LB-FB Tyler Houska (special-mention all-state, first-team all-district in Divison III and first-team SL), junior Chris Snook (first-team), senior Will Sutton (second-team).

BARBERTON (3-7, 0-7)

Top players: Sophomore QB Kyle Snyder (second-team).

Here are my preseason predictions for the Suburban League:

1. Tallmadge

2. Wadsworth

3. Green

4. Copley

5. Revere

6. Highland

7. Cloverleaf

8. Barberton

Here is an explanation for my picks: Tallmadge has won the past two Suburban League titles, and the Blue Devils should be able to do it again. Wadsworth will also be tough with senior running back Dru Jones leading the way for the Grizzlies. But I think Tallmadge senior quarterback/defensive back Patrick Pakan will be able to help the Blue Devils hold the Grizzlies off. Tallmadge senior Nick Fleming, one of the area’s best offensive linemen, will lead an experienced unit that should be able to give Pakan plenty of time to orchestrate the offense effectively. Green lost its three offensive stars (quarterback Kade Wagner, wide receiver Evan Elliot and running back Corey Welch) because of graduation. But the Bulldogs have eight returning starters on offense, meaning all the linemen who blocked for the three offensive standouts will be back to block well for new skill players. That’s why I think Green will be dangerous. Copley will go through some changes under first-year coach Ron Viscounte, who will fill in for now-St. Vincent-St. Mary coach Dan Boarman. I think Revere will improve and be a dangerous team that can pull off some upsets. Highland, Cloverleaf and Barberton all have talented players returning but will have a difficult time making it out of the bottom three in a tough league.

What do you think of these picks? Leave comments to let me know.

Ben Klafczynski, a 2007 Highland graduate and the Beacon Journal Baseball Player of the Year, recently won the second annual SportsTime Ohio High School Home Run derby that took place at Jacobs Field in Cleveland.

Klafczynski, a Kent State recruit, defeated Ron Stout of Medina in the final round. Ray Klafczynski provided the pitching for his son, whom beat a field of 10 players.

Tallmadge’s Jon Campriana and Archbishop Hoban’s Connor Burns also participated in the event. Stout, Campriana and Burns are seniors-to-be.

SportsTime Ohio will televise the contest at a date and time to be determined.

Here is a Q&A with recent Highland graduate Ben Klafczynski, the Beacon Journal Baseball Player of the Year:

Age: 18

Height: 6’2½”

Weight: 195

Favorite athlete: Tie between Tiger Woods and Manny Ramirez.

Favorite TV show: Spongebob Squarepants.

Favorite movie: Anything with Will Ferrell.

Hobbies: Golf, water sports, basketball, and drums.

Family members: Parents Ray and Elaine, sisters Amy and Leah and brother Andrew.

Q: Ben, you obviously had a great individual season and the team had a lot of success as well. How do you feel about helping Highland win its first district championship and reach its first regional final during your senior year?

A: It is a great feeling knowing we were the first team in Highland history to get that far. There were a lot of great memories, and I hope we left a good legacy for Highland baseball.

Q: What is your best memory from the 2007 season?

A: The regional semifinal win (11-10 over Defiance) to get to the regional finals. It was a crazy game to say the least, and my teammates all stepped it up. Most of us played together in youth ball, and I am proud of them. We will share that moment together.

Q: There were high expectations for you entering the season. Do you feel it’s fair to say that you exceeded those expectations?

A: Yes, I think so. I was not thinking about the expectations this season though, I just tried to do whatever I could to help win games.

Q: Do you think Highland exceeded expectations?

A: Definitely, we had a team goal this year to win district and it was great to be able to get to regionals for the first time in school history.

A: How do you feel about being named a Louisville Slugger All-American?

Q: It’s a great honor, and it is nice to see that my hard work paid off. I played with and against many of the guys listed, and I am happy to be included again.

Q: What part of your game did you improve the most during the 2007 season?

A: Being more consistent. Making hitting adjustments in the winter surely helped, and the basketball season helped rehab my wrist injury.

Q: What part of your game do you feel you need to work on to continue to succeed at the next level?

A: Becoming a better baseball player overall, and the instruction I will get at Kent State will surely help.

Q: Why did you choose to continue your academic and baseball career at Kent State University?

A: Everything seemed to be a good fit at Kent. It is a great school, the coaches are great and it is close to home. I can’t wait to be part of their program.

Q: You got a lot of interest from Major League Baseball scouts but you weren’t drafted. What do you think you learned from the scouting experience and are you motivated to become an even better player because you weren’t drafted?

A: I learned more how the draft process works, and I am always motivated to get better because baseball is fun. It’s the greatest game there is, and I know what I need to do to get better to have a shot at a pro baseball career later on. It would have been nice to have been selected, but the overall college experience at age 18, including college baseball, has a great value to it, and I guess I sent that message pretty clearly to the teams that were interested in me going pro right away. If the clubs felt I was ready enough for them to make an investment in me, they would have selected me. I am excited to get to Kent State and getting started on my education and becoming a Golden Flash. I have met some of the other 2007 players coming in, and the guys there now are super-talented.