Hoopes pulls off upset in sectional

West Branch trailed Akron Kenmore in the standings after the first day.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BELOIT -- West Branch High's J.P. Hoopes had just two varsity matches under his belt entering Friday's Division II sectional tournament in his home gym.
Faced with the task of facing the top seed in the 103-pound bracket, Hoopes had no problem overcoming inexperience and an early-season knee injury. The freshman knocked off Canfield's Braylin Bellino 2-1 in the second round to advance to today's semifinals.
"A little roughed up," said Hoopes when asked how he was feeling. "But it feels good to be back for sectionals after missing so much time. I felt bad not wrestling for the team because I was hurt, but I just got myself ready by working hard in practice.
"I knew that if I wrestled smart and the way that I know I can, I could succeed. I just had to go out and wrestle. I saw I had the top kid, but I just went with it and didn't let it bother me."
Hoopes' upset got defending sectional champion West Branch out of the gate strong and set the stage for a solid first day for the host school. After one day of wrestling, the Warriors (84.5 points) were in second place behind leader Akron Kenmore (94).
"There's no question that match helped set the tone for us today," said West Branch coach Mike Helm. "We knew it was a big match for J.P. We knew it would be a good match and he's a tough kid. He's every bit as good as we thought he would be and he'll just get better."
Warriors advance 12
West Branch advanced 12 of its 14 wrestlers to today's semifinals. Kenmore moved 10 into the championship bracket, setting up a showdown for the team title.
"Kenmore is the real deal," said West Branch Mike Helm. "They are no flash in the pan. They've been young the last few years and now those kids are solid. We knew it would be between them and us.
"We're happy with getting 12 into the semis, but we thought we might be able to get them all. It just didn't happen. We just need to get as many kids into the finals as we can and hope we get more than Kenmore does."
In addition to Hoopes, other West Branch matmen moving into the semifinals were Jake Mellinger (112), Josh Marshall (119), Nick Hoopes (125), Clay Criss (130), Elliot Citino (135), Brent Stoffer (140), Josh Learn (160), John Karlen (171), Jeff Karlen (189), Brandon Hrusovski (215) and Nathan Sharp (285).
Hubbard and Liberty were tied for fifth in the team standings with 38 points. Canfield (33) was seventh, followed by Salem (29.5) and Girard (29). Those five schools advanced a total of 18 competitors into the semifinals. Poland's Ben Pearce also moved in the semis at 135 pounds.
Top area contenders
Among the top contenders for sectional titles will be Hubbard's Miles Williams (119), Adam Mierzwa (152) and Chris Anderson (215), Liberty's Jon Krause (140), Salem's Joe Hamilton (160) and Poland's Pearce (135).
Wrestling resumes this morning at 11 a.m. and the championship finals will be contested at 6. The top four wrestlers in each weight class will advance to next weekend's Division II district tournament at Akron Firestone High School.