The Ravenna Ravens’ wrestling team is learning to take things in stride as they continue to rebuild their program. Ravenna took a step in the right direction when it went 4-1 to finish as the runners-up at the Brad Bauer Memorial Duals last Saturday at the James L. Coll Gymnasium.
“We are a very young and inexperienced team and are starting four freshmen,” said Coach Eric Kline. “To see this team finish 4-1 on Saturday, I could not be more pleased with them and the performance and hard work they put in this last week to reach that success.”
In addition to a successful tournament, Kline added that the Ravens’ success showed them that they can compete with some of the tougher teams in the area. He noted that all Ravenna needs is more experience and good things will continue to come for a program that is trying to get back to the glory days from the 1990s and 2000s.
The Ravens’ first dual victory came when they defeated Berlin Western Reserve 42-24.
According to the second-year coach, the Blue Devils were a young squad with a lot of holes in their lineup and gave up a lot of points due to forfeits.
“It was unfortunate they were not able to fill every lineup but I thought this tournament was good for them because it was very comparable to what their kids needed to do to get some good mat time and improve their wrestling skills,” Kline added. “They had a handful of kids that were pretty solid too and gave some of our kids a run for our money too, so it was very competitive but fun.”
Ravenna improved to 2-0 when they defeated Portage County rival Kent Roosevelt 34-24 in the second dual.
Kline said his squad’s victory against the Rough Riders came down to the final matches and even when his wrestlers lose matches, they avoided being pinned, which would have cost their team six points.
“I think we gave up less pins if I am not mistaken and I think the pins really put us over the edge and we won some tough and close matches in the third period,” noted Kline.
The Ravens continued rolling when they conquered Portage County foe Garfield by a 30-21 margin. Kline noted that the G-Men were missing a few of their top wrestlers but still had some competitive wrestlers
Ravenna’s first loss came when Portage County and crosstown neighborhood rival Ravenna Southeast beat them 42-33. Kline said that the Pirates were one of the most complete teams at the Brad Bauer Memorial Duals and had a squad that was much more experienced.
“Southeast is a very good school and has a very good squad from top to bottom,” Kline added. “We competed hard against Southeast. I thought our kids did not give up and they fought but my hats off to Southeast. They have a very good squad and do a great job over there.”
The Ravens rebounded with their fourth dual victory of the tournament, beating Portage County rival Rootstown’s “B” squad 36-30. Even against the Rovers’ “B” team, Kline said Rootstown still had some impressive competitors. The Rovers and Ravenna traded victories in some close matches but there were too many holes in Rootstown’s lineup and the Ravens earned the victory because of several forfeits.
The Ravens were paced by senior 190-pounder David Davis, who went 5-0 in the tournament.
According to Kline, the Ravens’ senior is the most experienced wrestler on the team and has gone through a lot in the last three years. After competing in the 215-pound weight class in his sophomore season, Davis switched to 175-pound bracket last year and was only two matches away from becoming an Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II state qualifier.
“What David has done from his sophomore year to what he has done today is leaps and bounds,” Kline said. “David still has a long way to go if he wants to make a trip down to Columbus and make the podium. He’s got more work to do but he is able to do it. His leadership is the rock of our team.”
Also going undefeated in the tournament was freshman 120-pounder Andrew Maladek.
Having only started wrestling two years ago, Kline said the Ravens’ freshman competes like he has many more years of experience under his belt.
“He is wrestling so well at a competitive level I believe he has a chance to make the state tournament,” Kline added. “That is how good he is and how far he has come.”
Ravenna will return to action when it competes at the Austintown-Fitch Joshua Hephner Memorial Tournament in Youngstown beginning on Friday.
