Canfield’s Benedict gains two mat wins

He advanced to the
semifinals in the EOWL meet.

By ERIC HAMILTON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

CANFIELD — Senior night for Canfield High’s Brad Benedict not long ago didn’t turn out exactly how he planned.

He did win his final home match then, just not the way he wanted to.

So, at the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League Tournament in his home gym on Friday, Benedict was determined to make his final high school matches in front of the home crowd more memorable than a just a forfeit victory like he had on Senior Night.

Benedict, one of just two seniors for the Cardinals, won both his matches on Friday and advanced to today’s 140-pound semifinals. Benedict (19-4) will face Alliance’s Adam Walker (13-4) with a berth in the championship finals on the line.

“I’m glad this tournament is here this year, because I had a forfeit on senior night,” said Benedict, who will seek his second league title. “This will be the last time wrestling in our home gym, so I’m ready to go. It’s been a blast so far this year.”

Benedict bumped up to the 140-pound class from his usual spot at 135 pounds, to give Canfield the opportunity for more team points. So far, the strategy has worked.

The three-time district qualifier defeated Fitch’s Jake Peterson 4-0 in the quarterfinals, after advances with a bye in the first round.

Against Peterson, Benedict got off to a solid start with a two-point takedown in the first period.

He added a two-point reversal in the second period to pad the advantage to 4-0 and finished things off with strong wrestling in the top position.

“I just tried to stay low and not do anything stupid on top,” Benedict said. “I just try to go as hard as I can until the whistle blows.

“I feel very confident that this is the year I make it to state. The Division II sectional at 135 might be a little easier than in Division I, but I’m excited for sectionals and ready to go after it in my senior year.”

Canfield competed at the Division II sectional at West Branch last year, but has been moved up to Division I for 2008 and will wrestle at the Fitch sectional. Should he advance out of Fitch, Benedict will get a crack at the rugged Massillon Perry district the following week.

But first comes a shot at his second EOWL title after winning at 119 pounds in 2006. Benedict is the No. 2 seed in the bracket and could potentially face top seed Brennan Witmer of South Range in the finals.

Wrestling has always been an interest for Benedict, who has been competing since fourth grade. With the sport come a lot of sacrifices, including giving up junk food, pop and eating fruit instead. But he thinks the pros outweigh the cons.

“I like the competitiveness of the sport,” said Benedict. “It’s blood, it’s guts, it’s whoever wants it more when you’re out there. “I’m a big food guy, and pop is hard to give up, but you have to eat healthy and keep your weight where it needs to be. There is a lot of talent out there, but I’m ready to go after it and finish strong.”