Friday, December 10, 1999
Division I wrestling preview
Moeller eyes elusive state title
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
In the 43-year history of the state wrestling tournament, no Cincinnati team has ever finished first or second in any of the three divisions.
Although Moeller coach Jeff Gaier won't discuss the postseason, it looks like the Crusaders have the talent to make a run at the Division I state in March.
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DIVISION I POLL
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1. Moeller (9) 126
2. Fairfield (4) 123
3. Harrison 97
4. Elder 78
5. Loveland (1) 67
6. St. Xavier 58
7. Lakota West 55
8. Oak Hills 50
9. Sycamore 46
10. Glen Este 35
Others: Lakota East 29, Princeton 5, Mason 3, Hamilton 2, La Salle 2, Winton Woods 1.
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“On paper, this is the best team we've had in 18 years but we have a long way to go,” Gaier said. “We have a lot of guys back, many who wrestle year-round.”
Gaier has 18 experienced wrestlers, 10 of whom won 19 or more matches during the 1998-99 season.
This wealth of talent prompted 10 of the 15 coaches voting in The Enquirer's Division I preseason poll to put Moeller on top, followed by Fairfield, Harrison, Elder and Loveland.
Junior Joe Zinkan (fourth at state), Bobby Lyons and Marcus Blanks are Moeller's returning state qualifiers. Five others — David Candy, Danny Hill, Mike Baria, Marcus Blanks and Brad Finley — qualified to district.
Brian Zinkan, who was 20-1 during the regular season but missed the tournament because of mononucleosis, also returns.
Moeller will wrestle a demanding schedule that includes the Virginia Dual Tournament, Best of the Southwest and duals with defending state champion Lakewood St. Edward and Fairfield.
2. Fairfield: Coach Ron Masanek's squad has four returning state qualifiers.
This group will be led by Garrett Padgett (fourth at state) and Michael Wahoff (sixth at state), along with Jeff Ramsey and Carl Leugers.
In 34 years coaching at Fairfield, Masanek has a 264-43-4 record. The Indians should post a 35th consecutive winning record during the 1999-2000 season.
3. Harrison: The Wildcats are strong in the larger weight classes with Tim Ruberg, a 160-pound senior state qualifier, heading the list.
Also back are district qualifiers Justin McGuffey, Robert Doerflein, Mike Shelton and Mike Conley.
4. Elder: A consistent top five team the Panthers return seven starters, including fourth-place state finisher Nick Spatola and state qualifier Andy Christopfel.
“One of our strengths is that we return nine starters,” coach Dick McCoy said. “If we have a weakness, it's in the middle weights.”
Other veterans include Nick McCoy, Pete Suer, Eric Kathmann, dam May, Kevin Reid and Rick Van Hook.
5. Loveland: Ryan Worley, a transfer from Olentangy in Columbus, is a welcome addition to a Tiger squad that returns standouts Jason Weimer, Josh Herdtner, Brandon Allen, Matt Gill and Jesse King.
6. St. Xavier: The Bombers are another team loaded with experience, returning one state qualifier (Scott Smith) and four district qualifiers (Aaron Klein, Scott Simon, Damien Fellinger, Keith Rosing).
7. Lakota West: The McIntire brothers — Matt (37-4) and Chris (33-6) — will head a strong Firebird team.
8. Oak Hills: Nine returning starters gives Highlander coach Dick Roche a solid foundation to build on.
The veterans include seniors Bryan Scholl, Mike Farrell, Eric Pace, Tommy Mason, Adam Pace, Casey Elder and Ryan Williams along with juniors Nick Ransick and Sean Smith.
9. Sycamore: Heavyweight Oliver Hyams heads the returning starters that includes Nolan Kaplan, Joe Patterson, Nate Small, Matt Montgomery, Matt White and John May.
10. Glen Este: Probably the most underrated team in Cincinnati, the Trojans will rely on veterans Sean Luther, Arlen Lampe, Curtis Sedan, Jimmy Fleager, Chris Stultz, Greg Stephens and Mike Epps.
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