Aurora Wrestlers Shine at Ohio State Tournament

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Aurora Greenmen wrestling team made an impressive showing at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I state tournament last weekend, with all three wrestlers bringing home placements. Senior Johnny Green, competing at 120 pounds, secured seventh place, while seniors Cole Walton, wrestling at 165 pounds, and junior Drake Brasiel at 157 pounds both finished in eighth.

For Brasiel, this marked a significant improvement from his last year’s performance at the Division I state meet, where he exited without a victory. “This year I came into it with the mindset that I was going to win,” Brasiel said. “Right after the season last year I was like I have to get stronger because I was not strong enough.” His determination proved effective as he recorded his first state victory by edging past Cincinnati Moeller’s Noah Jackson, 5-4, in a nail-biting match.

Braison’s strategy changed mid-match; he allowed Jackson to escape, trailing 4-2, to reset on his feet with a minute left. “I thought when I was on top of him and there was a minute left, there was no way I would be able to turn him because he was good and staying solid,” he noted. That decision paid off with a last-second takedown that put him ahead for the win.

On Saturday, despite falling in a closely contested quarterfinal against Jake Piontowski from Olentangy, Brasiel reclaimed his footing in the tournament by defeating junior Otis Boyette from Xenia decisively with a 16-0 technical fall, securing a top-eight placing.

“Getting down here last year was huge for Drake,” said Coach Jeremy Johnson. “We had expectations for him to place last year and it didn’t happen, and I think that motivated him this offseason to get in the weight room and do the extra work.” Brasiel’s competition concluded with another loss against Joey DiTullio from Elder, but the experience has left him eager for next year. “It definitely lights a fire under me,” he commented, setting his sights on becoming a state champion.

Meanwhile, Walton also concluded the tournament with an eighth-place finish, mirroring his previous year’s performance. However, this year marked a triumphant return after last year’s injury. “It feels good, last year it ended with a knee injury,” Walton said, relieved to have competed stress-free this time around. Following a difficult first match where he lost 7-3 to Austin Dipzinski, Walton advanced by defeating senior Wyatt Smith from Louisville 16-0.

Walton secured his All-Ohio status by wrestling valiantly against rival Troy Myers from Wadsworth, winning 16-6. “We are proud of Cole,” Coach Johnson praised. “He is a two-time state placer, and he has really turned it on the last few years.”

Although Walton faced defeat in his next match against Jake Taylor, he held an 8-0 lead in his final bout before being pinned by Matthew Chalkwater. The resilience displayed by both wrestlers highlighted the growth of the Aurora wrestling program, revealing a bright future ahead.