A Division II state champion sophomore Adam Hoppel and a Div. I state runner-up senior Steve Vallos

A Division II state champion sophomore Adam Hoppel and a Div. I state runner-up senior Steve Vallos are The Vindicator High School Co-Wrestlers of the Year.
Hoppel (41-2) has made two state appearances for Beaver Local High. He and Boardman High's Vallos were also chosen Eastern Ohio Wrestling League Co-Wrestlers of the Year and were Div. I EOWL first-team all-star picks the past two years.
Hoppel, who won by technical fall 17-1 over senior Jeremy Jimmar of Cincinnati Purcell Marion for the state title at OSU's Schottenstein Center, said, "My father, Carl, a three-time state champ, has been a big influence for me. He told me what I needed to do if I wanted to go to state."
"He has sent me to numerous summer wrestling camps in over the years."
Future: Hoppel, who has been wrestling for six years, said, "I enjoy wrestling because it's an event that you must win for yourself, and it takes a lot of hard work."
"When I won at state it was a terrific feeling. There is nothing else like it. It's one of the greatest things so far in my life."
"I plan to go to more wrestling camps, try to improve and get even better than I am now, and I'll continue to wrestle at 215 pounds."
"I plan to go to college in the future but would rather play football then wrestle," said Hoppel.
"My parents have been very supportive. Before I got my driver's license, they took me everywhere I needed to go."
"They attend all my wrestling matches and football games and have been there for anything that I have ever done."
Vallos, a two-time state qualifier, went into the 2002 championship riding a 35-match winning streak, but lost a heartbreaking 7-2 decision to Hassam Adebesin (40-2) of Shaker Heights.
Vallos, on vacation in Aruba over the school's spring break, was unavailable to comment on his selection.