Recordpub.com - High School Wrestling Preview

Anyone who claims in early December they know how things are going to play out during wrestling season is crazy.

Then again, I’ve been called worse things in my lifetime.

There are a few things which one can be fairly certain of as the 2009-10 season begins in Portage County wrestling.

For instance, there’s not much competition regarding who the county’s best wrestler is.

Aurora’s Ty Mitch has the chance to join a very exclusive club this season.

Already the first two-time state champion in Aurora’s wrestling history, Mitch will seek to become the first three-time state champ in county history.

Mitch joined Jeff Sanicky (Crestwood, 1975-78), Michael Coontz (Southeast, 1987-88), Marty Coontz (Southeast, 1990-91), Joe Boardwine (Streetsboro, 1992-93), Brian Singleton (Crestwood, 1993-94) and Neil Bailey (Southeast, 1994-95) on the list of two-time state champions from Portage County last year.

Unless you’re rooting for St. Paris Graham, you’d be hard-pressed to see how Mitch will be denied this year. He’s at the head of an Aurora squad that returns 10 district qualifiers and looks to make noise well beyond the Chagrin Valley Conference.

As for the Portage Trail Conference, there’s been a couple coaching changes.

Former middle school coach Bob Noall takes over at Southeast after Steve Sigworth got promoted to school administration.

Meanwhile, John Tompkins Jr. takes the reins at Mogadore, a program his father guided for roughly an age or two.

How are the coaches thinking things will play out in the PTC?

Among Metro Division coaches, the concensus is defending champion Coventry should be the favorite again.

It’s not hard to see why. Anchored by All-Ohioan Randy Henline, the Comets should have seven returning district qualifiers back in its lineup this season.

But Coventry will have to fight for the title — and not just against the traditional local powers.

Crestwood seems to have been on the brink of something big the last few seasons. It’s junior class might be strong enough to win tournaments on its own, but can the Red Devils compete in dual meets? That will be the big question.

Southeast’s numbers are up, but the Pirates need to improve their dual meet form if they want the title.

Ravenna’s rebuilding process continues, while Field is getting up to speed as well.

And don’t be surprised if Kent Roosevelt makes a serious push for contention as well. Scott Miller seems to finally have the sleeping giant of Portage County wrestling awake.

Meanwhile in the County Division, the concensus among the coaches is simple: It’s anybody’s ballgame.

Streetsboro dominated the division and then won the PTC Tournament in a rout last year, However, the Rockets graduated seven starters. The cupboard isn’t bare at Streetsboro, but it will take some growing to get back to the title.

In normal circumstances, a down year for Streetsboro would mean the title would head back to “Mad” Mike Massey and his kennel of rabid Bulldogs at Woodridge.

However, Massey said he believes the gap has been closed this year by Waterloo and James A. Garfield.

The Vikings have solid numbers in their rooms and didn’t lose any major players from last year, while Garfield also looks to be in position to make some noise.

Even Rootstown seems to be getting into the act, as coach JR Richner reports his team will almost field a full squad and has a huge number of kids in the room.

Want to get a glimpse of what’s to come this season? Fans could do worse than check out the Aurora Invitational Dec. 4 and 5 at Aurora, where six local squads will start their season.

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Michael Leonard can be contacted at mleonard@recordpub.com