Poland sports briefs

Girls basketball takes on Liberty

The Poland girls varsity basketball team defeated Liberty 44-26 on Dec. 5. Maura Bobby led the Bulldogs with 14 points. Other scorers for Poland were Liz Suess with 12 points and Kelsey Malenic with 6 points. Abby Brenoel had five rebounds to put the Bulldogs ahead.

The Poland girls junior varsity team beat Liberty 46-12.

Girls basketball defeats Girard

The Poland girls varsity basketball team defeated Girard 54-41 at their season opener on Dec. 1. The Bulldogs dominated the first quarter with a 16-2 lead over Girard. Top scorers for Poland were Maura Bobby with 19 points, Abby Brenoel with 15 points, Kelsey Malenic with nine points and Abbie Frank with six points. Frank and Bobby assisted Poland with five rebounds each.

The junior varsity team beat Girard 32-27.

Poland wrestlers win first three matches

The Poland wrestling team began the season with three dual-meet victories. The Bulldogs defeated Liberty 54-30, Hubbard 51-22 and Salem 57-21.

Leading Poland by winning all five of their matches were Bob Murcko, Mike Audi, and John Berndt. Tad Duran, Bruno Spotleson and AJ Shields all compiled four victories.

Other noteworthy victories were David Slepski over Liberty’s Matt Pontuti by pin, Anthony Mancini over Liberty’s Adam Little by pin and Jason Velasquez over Hubbard’s Frank Masimore by pin.

Key contributors were Anthony Morucci, Edwin Figueroa, Justin Ladesic, Joel Miller, Jordan Ziegler, Abe Kassem, Bill Brundage and Jason Velasquez.

Poland grad named Second Team

Jake Hochendoner, former Poland Seminary High School student, was named to the North Coast Athletic Conference Second Team. Hochendoner was a three-year starter on the defensive line for the Oberlin College Yeomen and played in 39 games in his four-year career. This fall he finished second on the team in sacks and tackles for a loss, both of which ranked ninth in the conference. His 59 total tackles were third best on the squad and he also tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries and forced fumbles.

A Cinema Studies major who is caring a 3.69 GPA, Hochendoner has been a leader both and off of the field. During his time on campus he has mentored children at the Oberlin Middle School, hosted campus radio shows and directed two independent movies (RISE and White Horse) in addition to producing a promotional video for the entertainment group, Solarity.

A John F. Oberlin Scholarship recipient for all four years, Hochendoner will depart Oberlin this spring ranked fourth all-time with 13.5 sacks. In his career he made 165 tackles, including 25.5 tackles for a loss.

Poland Boosters sponsor basketball tournament

The Poland Boosters Basketball Tournament will be on Jan. 28 and 29 and Feb. 4 and 5. The tournament is for boys and girls in grades fourth, fifth and sixth.

For more information, contact David Wolf at 330-707-0565 or polandhoopstourney@gmail.com or visit polandbosters.com.