Recordpub.com - PTC Tournament provides good year-end viewing

With February upon us, it's officially show time for wrestlers both in Portage County and across Ohio.

The quest for a spot in the state tournament will begin at about 5 p.m. Feb. 17 as teams begin their respective sectional tournaments. But before the postseason fun begins, local squads will gather one last time in the regular season as the Portage Trail Conference Tournament returns to Rootstown Feb. 8 and 9.

What follows is my handicapping of the field at the PTC Tournament.

In terms of the team title race, all signs point to a showdown between Ravenna and Woodridge. The two teams have dominated the Metro and County Divisions, respectively, and I have a hard time seeing anyone knocking either of them out of the top two spots.

Ravenna will be the favorite to win its third straight PTC Tournament title, though the gap might not be as big as some would think. That said, Woodridge will probably need big performances from its middleweight stars, extra points from its lightweights -- and a Ravenna slip-up or two -- to take the crown.

As for the individual weight classes, here's what to look for. Keep in mind, there is always a possibility of last-minute weight-class switching:

* 103 -- If Ravenna's Dakota Hayes is truly out of the picture, the field at 103 opens wide. Streetsboro's Mike Formick could have a say, but don't be surprised if Crestwood's Paige Nemec adds another chapter to her story by winning it all.

* 112 -- This is another wide-open weight class, which could yield some surprise results. Mogadore's Joe Bailes has had a strong season after just missing states last year. Keep your eyes on Ravenna's Brandon Oberholtzer as well.

* 119 -- In a rebuilding year for Southeast, senior Brent Ford has been a steady leader. Based on this year's results, Ford could be considered the favorite, but there's a huge X-factor in Garfield's Travis Harbert. Since taking fourth at 112 pounds last year at states, little has gone right for Harbert -- from an offseason injury to an off-the-podium finish at the Bill Dies Tournament (he was eliminated in a 3-0 loss to Ford). If Harbert returns to his form of last February, he could be unstoppable.

* 125 -- If Scott Meyer is healthy and focused, no one should touch Ravenna's returning state-placer. Coventry's Ian Burley may be the only one with a shot.

* 130 -- Another weight class devoid of big names, Ravenna's Nate Dozanti could pick up gold here, as could Crestwood's Cody Ryba.

* 135 -- The move by Streetsboro's John Fraley down to 135 should benefit him both at PTCs and in the postseason. He will likely be involved in a tough fight for the title with Coventry's Colton May, Ravenna's Randy Carpenter and possibly a few others.

* 140 -- Ravenna's Isaac Dukes has been in state-title form recently. If he's on, he's unbeatable. If not, Coventry's Ryan Hanline could give him a scare.

* 145 -- Norton's Drew Leonard may have been a one-man show this season, but what a show it was. Leonard (no relation to the author of this article) won the Dies and is looking to better a sixth-place finish at states last year. Coventry's Cody May, Woodridge's Pat Rado and Ravenna's Mitch Ayers all are solid, but Leonard is the prohibitive favorite.

* 152 -- This might be the best weight class of the bunch. Springfield's Jerry Boso and Ravenna's Tony Karaffa look to be the favorites, but watch out for Streetsboro's Mike Oktavec, who's been on a tear since winning at Wadsworth. Throw in a wild card like Woodridge's Lou Keller and things should be very interesting.

* 160 -- Speaking of interesting, expect another wide-open competition at 160. Crestwood's Nick Prochnow and Woodridge's Jeremy Hathaway could have a say.

* 171 -- Woodridge's Andy Jenkins has been lights-out all season and he's picking up steam as he heads into sectionals. Ravenna's Brandon Boggs could pose a threat, but it's hard to bet against the Bulldogs' captain.

* 189 -- A crowded field at 189 could be led by Kent Roosevelt's best hope for gold: Phil Smith. Smith is coming off a title at the Josh Hephner Memorial Tournament, where he won a thrilling 8-7 decision over Springfield's Mike Talbert in the final. Those two could meet again in the final, but watch out for Woodridge's Andy Fay and Rootstown's Troy Spiker.

* 215 -- A freshman in a grown man's weight class, Ravenna's Greydon Pavlik has "next big thing" written all over him. Field's Jason Bovino could also make noise.

* Heavyweight -- Ravenna's Brad Hager is an entertaining heavyweight with an arsenal of throws at his disposal. If he uses those big moves properly, he should win the big man's title. Coventry's Glen Harbin likely will be his biggest challenger.