A healthy DeScenna wins 112 pound title

By Eric Hamilton

BELOIT — It’s amazing how well you can wrestle when you’re actually healthy.

Howland junior Kyle DeScenna demonstrated that on Saturday when he surprised even himself by winning a sectional championship at 112 pounds at the Division II sectional tournament.

DeScenna, who missed the bulk of last season due to injury when he was at Warren JFK, beat West Branch’s Chad Hupp 4-1 in the title bout. He earned a spot at next week’s district tournament at Akron Firestone.

“I definitely didn’t expect to win a sectional title,” said DeScenna, who is just getting over the effects of pneumonia and didn’t even place at the EOWL tournament two weeks ago. “This is huge for me and a big confidence booster heading into districts.

“I thought I could go to districts, but I had lost to the Hubbard kid [Mitch Perry] twice already this season, so to beat him in the semis [9-5] was key for me. I haven’t wrestled well lately because of being sick, but I’m now starting to get healthy and wrestle to my potential.”

DeScenna was one of seven district qualifiers for Howland, who finished second in the team standings. The Tigers (186.5) outdueled third-place Southeast (178) down to the final weight classes to earn runner-up honors for the second straight year.

Other Tigers moving on were Kyle Leek, who won a title at 140 pounds, J.R. Perry (103), Kai Yancey (125), Andy Davis (152), Bryce Tricker (160) and Cody Reesman, who won a championship at 285.

West Branch (240.5), the host team, successfully defended its sectional team title by advancing 12 wrestlers — two more than in 2008.

Those advancing for West Branch were Dustin Graham (103), Chad Hupp (112), J.P. Hoopes (119), Jake Mellinger (130), Tyler Strawser (135), Eric Rogel (145), Brent Stoffer (152), Andy Lamancusa (160), Eric Bates (171), Matt Uyselt (189), Jon Wilson (215) and Nathan Gambone (285).

Hubbard notched four district qualifiers, including 215-pound champion Robbie Lias. Joining Lias at Firestone will be Mitch Perry (112), Zach Chaney (119) and 160-pound champion Anthony Nadeja.

Liberty will be represented at districts by Justin Hideg (130), Jordan Wagner (171), Quincy Harris (189) and Randy McElroy (285).

For Hideg, a sophomore, it will be his first district tournament and one that he wasn’t sure he’d get to.

“My dad [Coach Jim Hideg] was pushing me to get there and I worked real hard in practice,” said Hideg, who finished fourth at 130 pounds. “I thought my chances were 50-50.”

Salem’s Patrick Simpson took third at 112 pounds to lead his team’s group of three qualifiers. Also moving on are Josh Lankford (171) and Jon Meissner (215).