Bradberry returns Friday when he leads Lakota West into the 44th annual event beginning at 5 p.m, and he likes the changes he has seen.
“This will be our first year at the tournament. However, this field has made huge strides from three years ago when I attended as the head coach of Lebanon,” Bradberry said.
The field has grown to 24 teams with defending champ Fairfield looking to repeat and several of the area’s top wrestlers taking the mat.
“It’s a deep field here with a lot of excellent wrestlers,” Bradberry said. “I tell my wrestlers at each tournament, every guy is going to have to take care of their own business. If we do that, we may just look up Saturday night and be at the top of the team standings.”
West is entering with some momentum.
Jensen Quinn (138) and Caleb Harris (182) are coming off strong showings at both the Glenn Sample Coaches Classic and the GMVWA Holiday Tournament.
While Quinn’s success has been expected, Harris has come on strong, claiming a title at Olentangy and finishing second at the GMVWA and fourth at the Coaches Classic.
“Caleb Harris is one to keep an eye on,” Bradberry said. “He hasn’t wrestled much, maybe three years of experience including this year, but he is a physically gifted kid who is fun to watch.”
With a week to fine-tune things since the Holiday Tournament, Bradberry is hoping the break will have his charges fired up and ready.
“I am just looking to see them compete and get after it,” he said. “We competed once over 10 days, which can make guys a bit antsy. We are heading into the backstretch of the season, and I think this is a chance for some of our guys to start positioning themselves for a run to state.”
Growing process: One of Fairfield coach Jason Laflin's goals when he took over the program was to grow the tournament back to where it was when he competed as an Indian.
Lakota East, Lakota West, Northmont and Sycamore are all in the field this year after absences from the tournament.
“There is going to be some very deep weights this year,” Laflin said. “I am super-excited about some of the possible matchups. It has always been a goal of mine to get the best teams possible. Good competition is only going to help us as we make our push towards March.”
He knows that defending the title this year will be a tall order for his Indians.
“To win any tournament, your entire team needs to score points,” Laflin said. “If you can get all 14 wrestlers placing in the top six, that should do it.”
Coming off a short break after the Brecksville tournament, Laflin’s expectations are pretty straightforward whether his wrestlers win or lose.
“I want to see hustle, effort and heart,” Laflin said. “I want to see us correcting mistakes from earlier in the season. I also want kids being aggressive.”
Classic showdown: One of the most anticipated matches of the weekend may be the last one.
East’s Jon Spaulding and Ross’ Karson Chasteen should meet for the title at 285.
The duo almost met at the Coaches Classic prior to Christmas, but Chasteen was upset in the quarters before finishing third. Spaulding claimed the title.
Spaulding is currently ranked second in Division I and 15th nationally, while Chasteen is ranked sixth in Division II.
Ron Masanek Invitational
Where: Fairfield High School, 8800 Holden Blvd., Fairfield
When: Friday, 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m., beginning with consolation wrestling (finals will be held approximately one hour after the last consolation semifinal)
Teams: Amelia, Anderson, Campbell County (Ky.), Clinton-Massie, Cooper (Ky.), Dixie Heights (Ky.), Fairfield, Harrison, Harrison County (Ky.), Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.), Kings, Lakota East, Lakota West, Lebanon, Miamisburg, Northmont, Northwest, Oregon Clay, Piqua, Ross, Springfield, Sycamore, Vandalia Butler, Waynesville and Winton Woods
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