At state, Clay could have put big numbers on the board
If the Division I state meet had been held, there was a chance Clay could have had seven wrestlers competing.
That was tops among the nine schools in the Eastern Maumee Bay community that have wrestling programs, plus you can include two Central Catholic wrestlers who are from Northwood.
For Clay, seven wrestlers scoring would still not have been enough to upend top programs like Lakewood St. Edward or Elyria for a state title, but it would have notched Clay a little higher when it comes to state or national recognition.
One of those wrestlers, Micah Medina (38-13) won a district championship at 106 pounds, and he still has three years remaining at Clay. He won his district title by pinning Elyria junior Colin Noel (31-7) in 5:17.
“Micah is a hard-working freshman who seems to be peaking at the right time. Micah understands that to win at the highest level he needs to be in better shape than his opponent and manage his weight correctly,” Clay coach Ralph Cubberly said.
“His goals are to win a state championship. This is something I believe he can do as long as he believes in himself and puts in the work that will be required.
“Micah is always trying to better himself and always asks for more one -on one training sessions when practice is over. He is a great kid who will do whatever a coach asks of him and has a great family support system.”
At 170, Clay sophomore Tyler Weseman (40-13) advanced to state after finishing second at district, getting pinned in the final by Lakewood St. Edward junior Hudson Hightower (24-5) in 1:38.
“Tyler is a goer. Tyler has made steady improvement weekly and was peaking at the TRAC, sectional and district championships placing first, first and second in those events,” Cubberly said.
“Tyler is flying under the radar. I expect him to have a huge breakout year next season. Wrestling our very tough schedule will come opportunities for him to be seen be coaches at the collegiate level,” Cubberly continued.
“He pushes himself to the limit at all practices. He is the guy who while conditioning picks up the trash can and carries it with him in case he throws up. I think that says a lot. He is just hungry to learn and perform. I’m looking forward to next season to see his growth.”
At 132, Clay junior Mike Daly (38-13) advanced to state, finishing fourth at the district tournament, losing by a 9-0 major decision to Whitmer junior Jack Haskin (46-6). He got his 100th career win this year and now stands at 101-34.
“Mike is fighter and with him anything is possible. Mike may be the most natural wrestler on the team and has won a lot of his matches with toughness on the mat,” Cubberly said.
“Mike’s goal is to be a state placer and then possibly wrestle in college. He is currently being watched by several Division 1 programs. He will need to increase his conditioning and strength levels and he will work on those things in the offseason.
“He shows up for 6 a.m. lifts and workouts and is trying to improve daily. He is a hard-nosed kid that will turn some heads next year.”
Two others, Clay sophomore Dominico Migliori (36-14, 145 pounds) and senior Jacob “J.T.” Meek (49-6, 220) were state alternates, placing fifth at the district meet. They would have wrestled had someone not made weight or couldn’t wrestle because of injury, illness or another reason. Cubberly believes if either had the chance, they could have placed because of the tough district Clay was in, which includes both St. Ed’s and Elyria.
Migliori has a career record of 72-17 with a good shot at reaching 100 career wins his junior year.
“Dominico is probably our toughest wrestler in the top position. He is a hammer and will turn his opponent most of the time,” Cubberly said. “Dominico’s goals are set on being a state placer at this time. I look for Dominico to also have a breakout year next season and accomplish some of his goals.
“He also does everything we ask and is at all our scheduled practices and morning lifts and conditioning. He is a youngster who is looking to make a name for himself.”
For Meek, it was especially disappointing not qualifying directly — last year he qualified and finished the season 42-11 but did not place at state. His career record of 162-40 is among the tops in Clay history.
This year, he led the team in pins with 34 and seemed to have everything going his way. Since he’ll graduate, it will be even tougher for Cubberly to lose him.
“Jacob was the team leader. Jacob is a leader both verbally and by example. He excelled in making the team work hard. He was a leader by example. Jacob was as hard of worker in the practice room as I have ever had,” Cubberly said.
“He is probably our hardest worker and never misses a practice. He is a great kid who this program will miss very much.”
Cubberly says Meek is being “heavily recruited” as a 197 pounder and heavyweight by several NCAA Division I programs.