Recordpub.com - Area Wrestling Report

If the regular season is any indicator, the 2010 Portage Trail Conference Tournament figures to be the most exciting since the formation of the conference.

When the 14 PTC wrestling teams hit the mats on Friday at Rootstown, they will put a cap on a season that has seen former also-rans barge to the front of the pack and former powerhouses suffer tough seasons.

There’s been more twists this season than a ride at Cedar Point — and it’s not over yet.

Want to know the lay of the land? Here’s my annual look at the contenders in each weight class.

A disclaimer: these weights are based on where the wrestlers have been most of the season. Injuries, illness and coaches making last-minute switches — argh! — could affect the brackets.

• 103 — Streetsboro’s Cory Stainbrook is the favorite here, but do not overlook Coventry’s Jesse Gunter or Crestwood’s Paige Nemec. It would be no shock to see all three of them reach states.

• 112 — This bracket is there for the taking. Streetsboro’s Mike Formick, Norton’s Joey Czarnecki and Garfield’s Esler Heyd might be considered favorites, but a darkhorse could easily emerge.

• 119 — Crestwood’s Dylan Kager, Garfield’s Tyler Knepper, Waterloo’s Nick Hermann and Coventry’s Brandon Pavlich are among the contenders in this wide-open bracket.

• 125 — Norton’s Jordan Westfall might be the favorite here, although Kent Roosevelt’s Brent Brooks, Garfield’s Tanner Lawrence and Streetsboro’s Drew Kluchurosky all could have a say.

• 130 — Don’t be surprised if Field’s T.J. Ford gets the win here. The Falcons’ ace should be the favorite, along with Streetsboro’s Anthony Skulina and Southeast’s Nate Nelson.

• 135 — While there are several good wrestlers here, including Waterloo’s Justin Fano and Garfield’s Josh Lawrence, it would be a shock if anyone but Coventry’s Randy Henline came out on top.

• 140 — This bracket will be fun to watch. A closely matched group, including Crestwood’s Adam Horovitz, Coventry’s Colton May, Woodridge’s Zack Bickel and Rootstown’s Brett Snyder among others, could make this the most competitive weight class at the tournament.

• 145 — Woodridge’s Donny Montoney might be the Bulldogs’ best hope for a title, but there’s competition here, including Crestwood’s Mitchell Porter.

• 152 — If they both stay put, all signs point to a showdown between Crestwood’s Cheney Matarrese and Coventry’s Rusty Lockhart.

• 160 — Another bracket full of contenders, with Crestwood’s Cody Ryba, Ravenna’s Randy Carpenter, Field’s Kyle McGinnis and Waterloo’s Kenny Shircliff among the favorites.

• 171 — This bracket could be very interesting. The likes of Southeast’s Ravonne Lawrence, Streetsboro’s Chris Ashburn, Norton’s Jerry Baughman and Coventry’s David Bulgrin all could play a part in this bracket without a clear favorite.

• 189 — Crestwood’s Joey Monroe, Coventry’s Beau Cross, Rootstown’s Tyler Williams and Southeast’s Anthony Pennington are among the contenders in a weight class that might prove crucial to the team races.

• 215 — This wide-open weight class could lead to a darkhorse winner, though Ravenna’s Matt Benson and Coventry’s Shaun Banner might be the favorites.

• 285 — The heavyweight field looks excellent this year. While the favorites include Norton’s Mike Rutherford and Ravenna’s Greydon Pavlik, Kent Roosevelt’s Eric Pucillo, Streetsboro’s Jason Cook and Rootstown’s Justin Croasman all could make noise.

See you Friday night, fellas.