State wrestling notes: Highland's Brandon Bickerton has tough road ahead

COLUMBUS — Highland junior Brandon Bickerton isn't afraid of a challenge. In fact, he sought one out at the Division I state wrestling tournament.After wrestling this season at 120 pounds, Bickerton dropped to 113 for the postseason. Now in Columbus, he's at one of the toughest weights the state tournament has seen.Bickerton, who won the state title at 106 as a freshman, is one of three state champions at the weight, along with Dublin Coffman's Loc Webber and Brecksville's Rylan Seacrist.The depth at 113 has only been seen at the boys state tournament three other times and never in D-I.In 2014, the D-II 126 class included St. Paris Graham Local's Eli Seipel, Mentor Lake Catholic's Anthony Tutulo and Bellbrook's Cameron Kelly. Tutulo won.In 2008, Troy Christian's Zach Toal won at 145 in D-III, a weight that also included Waynedale's David Stiltner.In 2004, Kenston's Ricky Deubel won the D-II 119 title by defeating London Madison Plains' Zach Nelson in a class that also included Beachwood's Kevin Lipp and Padua Franciscan's Pat McLemore, a former Highland student."I dropped down to this weight class to wrestle the top-ranked kid in the country (Seacrist) and another top-10 kid in the country (Webber)," Bickerton said. "I can confidently say that not many kids would drop down to a weight with two top-ranked kids in the country, but I'm chasing greatness."Brunswick's Marisa McCartin is facing a similar challenge in the girls tournament, as she will likely have to beat three returning champions to win a title after finishing eighth last season.That starts with Lakota West's Kelsey King in the quarterfinals this morning."Tomorrow I'm definitely the underdog with three state champions in my bracket," McCartin said. "Everyone's beatable. It's all about mindset, and I have a will to work. I'm just going to get after it."RARE COMPANYBuckeye senior Blake Bartos is attempting to become a four-time placer, something 15 others are also chasing this weekend. Bartos bested Gallia Academy's Evan Warren in the first round.Among them is Hinckley Township resident Karson Brown. The St. Edward senior is attempting to become the state's 36th four-time champion.Another wrestler looking to become a four-time placer is Marengo Highland's Cael Gilmore, who beat Roosevelt's Gavin Edwards in the first round. The 165 senior is the cousin of Medina senior Taegan Gilmore and nephew of Bees coach Chad Gilmore.COUNTY CONNECTIONSOther wrestlers with Medina County ties include St. Edward's Aiden Peterson, a former Cloverleaf student who beat Christian Wagers in the first round of the D-I 215 bracket.Former Highland great Jesse Leng's daughters, Cara and Cami Leng, also competed. Cami Leng reached the quarterfinals and Cara Leng is alive in the consolation bracket.THE LONG ROADWrestlers who lost their first match Friday still have a chance to reach as high as third with five straight wins in the consolation bracket.Buckeye's Brody Zoul (165), Mellon and Brunswick's Brayden Miles (150) each won their first consolation match and can reach the podium with a win in their first match today. Zoul and Miles are each attempting to place for the first time.END OF THE LINEBlack River's Kayden Hendershot (165), Buckeye's Logan Letner (144), Highland's Kallen Whitling (215) and Cody Bendau (285) were eliminated in the boys bracket and Kelsey Denholm (140) fell twice in the girls bracket.BULL MARKETThe county saw a surge in boys qualifiers this season. After qualifying only 17 last season, the county saw 22 make the trip.That was led by Highland's seven qualifiers. Next was Wadsworth and Buckeye with four each and Medina with three. Brunswick and Black River each qualified a pair.In the girls tournament, the county maintained three qualifiers.Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.