PREP WRESTLING Hoppel looking for second title

Jackson-Milton will try to win its 10th straight EOWL Division III championship.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
The richest men and women in the world are recognized on a list of Who's Who, which is primarily based on their wealth.
The Eastern Ohio Wrestling League's top performers, each year, are beginning to be recognized on wrestling's Ohio High School's Who's Who list because of their physically strong capabilities.
Beaver Local junior Adam Hoppel, 215-pound Division II state champ (41-2), who was last year's EOWL and The Vindicator Wrestler of the Year, is back along with several other area state qualifiers.
Fitch High junior Joe Murray and Canfield senior Klynt Maston tied for 2001 EOWL first-team honors at 119 pounds and tied for 2002 conference first-team honors at 125.
Murray (40-11) finished fourth at the state meet last year, while Maston, a three-time district qualifier, qualified for the state meet as a sophomore and was an alternate last year.
Bob Brenner (34-7) of Canfield, who had 21 pins to tie the Cardinals' school record, is back at 152 pounds. He was a first-team EOWL and Vindicator All-Star selection. Fitch's Eric Chine (152, 33-11), a junior, was a state qualifier last year.
Good returning class
The top three EOWL 130-pound choices return, with Beaver Local's Jared Hoppel (28-8), a state qualifier, among several Beavers expected to challenge for 2003 state berths.
Howland senior Anthony Provanzac (29-10) and Canfield's Chris Pankewicz (20-10), a junior, who is moving up to the 140 class, are experienced veterans.
Jeremy Shaw (30-8) of Beaver Local, a two-time state qualifier, and EOWL champ Brian Thompson of Boardman (21-11) return at 145 pounds.
West Branch, recognized as one of the area's most successful Div. II wrestling programs, returns two two-time state qualifiers, heavyweight Seth Sharp (31-7), and Wade Morrow (18-13), 135.
The Warriors' Drew Drewhart (30-5), a 189-pound senior, and Luke Bardo (18-16), 160-pound junior, were district qualifiers.
Tradition
Jackson-Milton sent 10 wrestlers to the 2002 district tournament and has won nine straight EOWL Div. III titles.
Six first-team EOWL selections are back as the Bluejays go after the title again with high expectations and 12 lettermen.
Dave Tomaino has a career record of 118 wins and only 31 losses in 16 years as Jackson-Milton coach, which includes an 8-0 dual-match mark last year.
Seniors Lee Keck, a state qualifier sidelined with an injury and Kyle Kemble were Vindicator All-Star selections in 2002.
Last year's EOWL standings: Division 1 -- Beaver Local 4-0, Canfield 2-1, Fitch 1-3, Howland 1-3, Boardman 0-4. Division II -- West Branch 4-0, Alliance 3-1, Liberty 1-3, Hubbard 1-3, Salem 1-3. Division III -- Jackson-Milton 3-0, Brookfield 2-1, Girard 1-2, Warren JFK 0-3.