High school wrestling: Brunswick kicks off GCC action with win over Cleveland Heights

BRUNSWICK — The Brunswick wrestling team got its Greater Cleveland Conference season started with a bang Thursday, dominating Cleveland Heights 56-12. The Blue Devils (1-0, 1-0) won 12 of the 14 matches against the Tigers in a triangular that was supposed to include Strongsville. Euclid replaced the Mustangs but did not wrestle against Brunswick and just took on Cleveland Heights before heading back up Interstate 71. The Blue Devils, who wrestled without returning state placer Eddie Skiba, made it look easy. One wrestler who is looking to establish himself as a freshman is 165-pounder Carter Wickes. The talented newcomer was riding high after a third-place finish at the Solon Comet Classic and moved to 13-2 on the season with a dominating 20-2 technical fall against Saint Gavin. "He was very tough in the neutral," Wickes said. "Once I got him down, I was just working my top, trying to get backs (points). I thought there were a couple of things that I thought should have been called that weren't, but you just have to wrestle through it. I felt there are things I could have done better, but I got the tech and got my team points." Wickes also placed fifth at the North Coast Classic. "I am obviously just a freshman, but it feels good with all these upperclassmen around supporting me," Wickes said. "They trust me to go out there and take care of business. It feels great to have this team around me." Five Brunswick wrestlers earned pins, with 150 senior Devin McCartin picking up the fastest just 24 seconds in. "I knew before as I was watching his match (against Euclid)," McCartin said. "I told coach (Greg Seigler) that I was going to pin this guy fast and take care of business. Before the match, I knew I was going to get a single or a fireman, The fireman wasn't there the first time, but the second time I got it and it was super clean execution. I saw the half open up, and I just handled it." McCartin picked up a quick takedown and worked Chris Goodson on his back to pick up the win. "We set the pace right from 106," McCartin said. "I'd like to have gone completely undefeated at the dual and not have those two pins at the end. We dominated the dual from the start and just kept going. It's a great way to start our season." Tegan Matousek (106), Jackson Havulchick (126), Nick Petrakos (138) and Gavin Devitch (190) also won via pin. Jake Kash won by major decision over Marcus Wilson at 132 to nab bonus points. The opening match on a night with few competitive ones was won by Brunswick's Logan Matousek, who took a 14-11 decision over Bernard Stevens at 175. The contest was close throughout, with Matousek pulling away in the third period. Contact Chad Grant at sports@medina-gazette.com. Brunswick 56, Cleveland Heights 12 106 — Tegan Matousek (B) p. DaNerro Lassiter (C), 1:22. 113 — Double forfeit. 120 — Nate Freedle (B) d. Ta'Quari Reyes (C), 11-4. 126 — Jackson Havulchick (B) p. Jaxson Murnyark (C), 1:12. 132 — Jake Kash (B) m.d. Marcus Wilson (C),13-1. 138 — Nick Petrakos (B) p. Mahsiah Isreal (C), 3:39. 144 — Brayden Miles (B) t.f. Tay'Vione Wallace (C), 16-1. 150 — Devin McCartin (B) p. Chris Goodson (C), :24. 157 — Travis Latta (B) ff. 165 — Carter Wickes (B) t.f. Saint Gavin (C), 20-2. 175 — Logan Matousek (B) d. Bernard Stevens (C), 14-11. 190 — Gavin Devitch (B) p. Michael Beaman (C), 2:28. 215 — John Morris (C) p. Ja'Maurie Garth (B), 1:54. 285 — Armaire Fitzpatrick (C) p. Andy Dagleish (B), 0:40.