Adding result to injury: Spaulding in semifinals

Canfield is in second place behind defending champion West Branch.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BELOIT -- Just happy to be there.
That was the attitude Canfield High wrestler Brennan Spaulding carried with him to the mat Friday night at the Division II sectional wrestling tournament at West Branch High School.
If he had listened to his doctor, he wouldn't have even been wrestling.
After injuring the joint that connects his right clavicle to the breastbone during practice two weeks ago, he was told his season was over.
That's not exactly the way he wanted to end his senior season. So, after getting cleared by a second doctor, Spaulding took advantage of the opportunity by winning his second-round match at 152 pounds and advancing to today's semifinals.
"I'm just happy to have the chance to wrestle," said Spaulding (16-11).
"I've never made it out of sectionals, so I just want to give it my all and take advantage of my last chance. I only have eight kids in my bracket so I think I can move on to districts.
"Our team is having a great season and our big goal is to win sectionals. Our seniors are stepping it up and I think we have a chance of getting in the top two."
In the hunt
After one day of competition, Canfield has the opportunity to accomplish its goal. The Cardinals advanced 10 wrestlers to today's semifinals and stood in second place in the team race with 76.5 points.
Defending sectional champion West Branch (90.5) leads the team race. Southeast (70) is third, Akron Kenmore (55.5) fourth and Liberty (43) fifth.
"West Branch and Southeast were the favorites coming in and no one thinks we can win this," Canfield coach Dean Conley said. "I'm happy with how we wrestled today and I think we can compete with West Branch and Southeast, which are two great programs.
"I just told the kids to keep their mouths shut and go out and wrestle and keep flying under the radar. We aren't an underdog if we think we can do it."
This is Canfield's first trip to the West Branch sectional after competing at the Division I Fitch sectional in 2004 and 2005. The Cardinals won the Division II sectional at Canfield in 2003.
In addition to Spaulding at 152, other Cardinals in position to earn sectional titles are Braylin Bellino (103) Brad Benedict (112), Robert DeChurch (130), Matt Narducci (135), Justin Wolf (145), Ryan Ivany (160), Damon Buente (171) and Nick Rousher (heavyweight).
West Branch has 12 competitors in the semis, including 2005 state placers Andy Lamancusa (145 pounds) and Nathan Sharp (heavyweight). Lamancusa finished third in the state at 140 last season, while Sharp was second at heavyweight.
Southeast's seven semifinalists were paced by returning state qualifier Joe Knopick (189), who won his only match of the first day.
Girard and Liberty will each have five wrestlers in the semifinals. Salem advanced three, while Hubbard has two and Poland will be represented by Ben Pearce (130) in the semis.
The tournament continues today at 11 a.m. with consolation and championship semifinal matches.
The finals will begin at 6 p.m., with matches for first, third and fifth places.
The top four in each weight class advance to next week's Division II district tournament at Akron Firestone High School.
Notes
Because several of the 12 schools competing in the tournament did not field complete teams, only 16 first-round matches were contested.
Every top seed in their respective weight class, except West Branch's Andy Lamancusa (145 pounds), received first-round byes into the championship quarterfinals.
Poland's Ben Pierce, the No. 2 seed at 130 pounds, advanced to today's semifinals without even wrestling a match. The sophomore, who owns a 19-11 record, received two byes in his bracket.