by Michael Leonard
Sports Editor
Streetsboro wrestling was able to get a pair of wins Jan. 8 with one-arm tied behind its back.
OK, not really.
But the Rockets were able to sweep a home tri-meet while letting many of its younger wrestlers have some fun. Host Streetsboro defeated North Lima South Range 60-12 and downed Waterloo 51-17. The Rockets improved their dual meet record to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the Portage Trail Conference County Division.
Rockets head coach Rick Charlton said Waterloo has shown improvement this year, but his squad had a very good night.
"They're continuing to grow," he said. "We're very deep this year. Their guys wrestled competitively. For our seniors, it was nice, we don't have too many home meets and they got to shine."
Streetsboro's big guns did their thing against the Vikings and Raiders as 135-pounder Anthony Edwards, 140-pounder John Fraley, 160-pounder Mike Oktavec, 171-pounder Garrett Corlett and 215-pounder Phil Blazek all scored two wins for the Rockets.
Freshman 125-pounder Travis Smosny also scored a pair of wins, winning by forfeit vs. South Range and then defeating Waterloo's Mike Snyder 16-4. First-year senior Jason Cook had his best night as a Rocket, pinning both his opponents.
Freshman 103-pounder Cory Stainbrook won his only match of the night, defeating Waterloo's Sam McClellan 12-2.
Chartlon said South Range had some holes in the lineup. Despite holding out Stainbrook at 103 pounds for a double forfeit, Streetsboro still earned 24 points worth of forfeits against the Raiders.
"South Range was short-handed," Charlton said. "Our guys went out there and got the job done.
"Whatever's on our schedule, we're going to wrestle them hard," Charlton added. "It was nice to get some of our young kids who work hard in the room some mat time."
Charlton said Streetsboro's next meet will be a dramatic step up in class as the Rockets are scheduled to participate at the Top Gun Tournament Jan. 16 and 17 in Alliance.
With the likes of defending Division II state champion St. Paris Graham, Walsh Jesuit, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy and University School in the field, Charlton said the Top Gun will be the toughest challenge this season for his squad.
The action is set to begin at 11 a.m. Jan. 16 and resume Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. The finals are scheduled for 6 p.m.
"It's going to prepare us for the district ant state meet," Charlton said. "We're going to go down there and give it our best. We're looking forward to the competition. Our senior leadership wants to challenge itself against the best and a lot of the best will be there."
E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3913