Canfield wrestlers place three at Dies tournament

The Canfield wrestling squad made its annual trek to Akron Firestone to compete in the Bill Dies Invitational Jan. 15-16.

The Cards wrestled well in one of the toughest tournaments in Ohio, finishing a respectable 11th overall out of 44 teams. State power Brecksville won the event for its third consecutive title, and fourth in the past five years.

Canfield seniors Alex Benedict and Robby Reed were the top performers for the Cardinals, each going undefeated into the championship bout.

Benedict faced off against Highland senior Daniel Mirman in the 135-pound final. Benedict fell 9-5 in the match to finish second. It was Mirman’s second Dies title to go with two second-place finishes in his four years. Mirman was a state runner-up last year.

Reed lost a tough 8-2 decision to Twinsburg junior Mike Labry at 125 pounds. Labry is a two-time state qualifier with a fourth-place Dies finish at 103 as a freshman.

Canfield sophomore Anthony Spencer at 103 pounds was also a standout, as he wrestled his way to a sixth-place finish. Other wrestlers contributing with multiple wins for the Cards were Korey Frost at 112, Zach Kay at 119, Lucas Daprile at 140, PJ Hido at 152, Eric Mirto at 160, Hayden Smith at 171 and Mike Flanagan at 189.

The Canfield Red team traveled to Pymatuning Valley to compete in a junior varsity tournament Jan. 15. The Cards won this event, continuing an excellent season.

Top placers for the Cards were Kyle Hido first at 103 (4-0), Steve Daprile third at 103 (3-0), Matt Dunbar first at 112 (2-0), Ben Siegle second at 112 (1-1), Nick Borucki second at 119 (2-1), Jake Dunbar first at 125 (5-0), Bryan Batton third at 135 (3-2), John Poullas second at 145 (4-1), Shawn Williams second at 152 (4-1) and Matt Ben second at 171 (4-1).

The Red team also defeated Poland earlier in the week.