Howland defends home mat

January 18, 2015 at 12:04a.m.

HOWLAND

The Howland High School wrestling team had a stranglehold on its invitational, capturing the title every year from 2005-13, before finishing a disappointing sixth last season.

That’s when Painesville Harvey walked off with first-place honors — its first and only tournament title.

Four Tigers won championships and four others earned consolation wins on Saturday to help the hosts reclaimed top honors at the 54th Howland Invitational Tournament.

With 194.5 points, the Tigers easily topped runner-up Girard (150 points) and third-place finisher, Cranberry (116 points). The other local team, Brookfield, finished ninth with 44 points.

“This is a big tournament and our goal is to win it every year,” said first-year Howland coach Matt Zakrajsek. “This was our best tournament this season and we’re starting to peak. We’re right where we want to be heading to sectionals.”

The tournament’s outstanding wrestler award was given to Howland’s David-Brian Whisler (20-2), the state’s top-ranked wrestler at 170 pounds who is headed to the University of Maryland. He easily defeated Painesville Harvey’s Robert Sicker, 18-3 for his third consecutive tournament title.

“This tournament is always a lot of fun and to be a three-time champion is a big deal,” Whisler said “We wanted to reclaim the title and let everyone know that this is our tournament.

“Being ranked number one, I know there’s a target on my back. I still approach every match with the same mindset.”

Whisler’s cousin and teammate, Jordan Radich (17-3), pinned Girard’s Randy Walters at 2:53 to capture top honors at 182 pounds. Radich gave Walters very little space to work on the mat.

“I started the season off slow, finishing second at Lorain, and felt as if I could have won,” Radich said. “We’re getting better every week, but the goal remains to peak at the right time and we’re right there.”

Other Howland winners included Mike Bell at 285 pounds and Jimmy Lerakis at 132 pounds. Girard’s Jake Raviscanec won in 160 pounds and Zach Hackett of Brookfield was a winner at 220 pounds.

Bell pinned Girard’s Ben Norman at 1:28, while Lerakis recorded an 11-6 decision over Connor Roberts of Eastlake North.

“This is what I train for — a quick match,” Bell said. “My goal is to win state, but what makes a champion is the extra work and effort when no one is looking. That’s where the passion is.”

Lerakis, who defeated Roberts for the title a year ago, said he still needs to get better.

“Despite winning, I made some mistakes today and still have some weaknesses that I have to work on,” he said. “It’s been an on-and-off year for me so far and I am hoping that this win will catapult me the remainder of the season.”

Raviscanec pinned Eastlake North’s Tony Chinchar at 4:48 for his title. Hackett won a decision over the Indians’ Ryan Stuart, 3-0, in the night’s closest contest.

“Coach [Jim] Cardiero told me to just wrestle like I do in practice and that’s what I did,” Raviscanec said. “He started out tough, but I was able to get a couple of takedowns and that really helped.”

Hackett had a more methodical goal in his match.

“I tried to feel him out and I was able to get a takedown,” Hackett said. “In the third period, I took control.”