It wasn’t the ideal way for Danny Tiller to start his season. But the Berkshire junior took the mat by storm Jan. 11 at the John Matteucci Invitational. The natural 190-pounder wrestled up at 215 for his season debut, and he had an early challenge against Euclid’s Dylan Buoffard. Tiller recorded a takedown in the first but a pair of Buoffard escapes made it a 3-2 contest. The Euclid wrestler got in on a pair of shots but the Badger had strong defense, turning the latter into a takedown for a 7-3 victory. “It was tough,” Tiller said. “I had to take everything in during practice and work my way back in. They’re a lot bigger and obviously carry a lot more weight. You need to focus on your technique rather than just going in with a plan.” He got back on track with a 40-second pin over Luke Arnold of Western Reserve. Getting back on the mat was just the start for Tiller, as he has lofty expectations for this season. Tiller knows the challenge of donning the Berkshire singlet and the history that it holds. The Badgers have had four state champions in school history: Sean Keyes in 2003, Bryce Freeman in 2006, Travis Porter in 2008 and Lucas Stoddard in 2022. The latter two won their state titles at 215 and 190, respectively. Tiller knows he has a way to go until he reaches those levels, but has goals of getting there. “I know all those guys and the history that the program carries,” Tiller said. “I looked up to Lucas as a younger wrestler and the weight that they carry in the program. But I’m going to just go out there and do my best to continue the history of upper weights.” Tiller took third at the weight. In the team race, it was a battle between West Geauga and Walsh Jesuit for the team title. The Wolverines had success at the lower and middle weights with six wrestlers claiming pool victories from 120 to 165. None were as impressive as Nasir Levy at 190. In his first two matches, Levy worked an 18-2 tech fall and a first-period fall to advance to the championship bracket. Levy said each tournament represents a chance to get better. “Fundamentals are how you win championships,” Levy said. “As we get better, we have to focus on fundamentals. The little things always matter. It’s nice to be able to focus on the light and middleweights at events but the heavyweights have to do their part to. It’s not an only me mentality it’s about the team.” Levy was one of six individual champions for West Geauga. Caden Kaleal (120), Zander Joltin (126), Danny Sizler (144), Brian Denamen (165) and Blake Welker (215) all helped the Wolverines to the team title 285.5 to the Warriors 275.5. Tucker Parson of NDCL also won his pool and did so with a pair of first-period falls. One of which came off of a tilt. High school wrestling has implemented the three-point takedown and four near-fall count resulting in four points after a tilt or turn. This plays into Parson’s game. Parson likes to control on top and use a lot of tilts that lead to falls or first-period tech falls. “It works for me because I go for those near fall points right after the takedown,” Parson said. “I use fireman carries or barrel rolls that get them to the mat, on their back to get those swipes immediately. Turning a simple takedown into a seven-point move has been amazing.” Parson fell to Joltin in the final, 10-1. Mikhail Stitt of Euclid has also adjusted well to the new rules. Off of a takedown, he works an armbar tilt to four back points, breaks the hold, then jumps to the other side and runs it. That strategy almost came back to bite him in the 132 semifinals. He led Brandon Deblasis of Berea-Midpark, 9-2, with less than 30 seconds left and went for the tilt. But Deblasis reversed him and had him on his back. But thanks Stitt’s work with his hips, he avoided the fall and take a 9-8 victory to the finals. “I love the new rule set, it’s let me expand on my game a lot,” Stitt said. “I can build a lead a lot quicker. It incentivizes a quick tilt like that. If you can get a quick four points after a take down, you’re already in major decision territory.” Stitt fell in ultimate tie breaker to Tyler Tribassi of Walsh Jesuit, 3-2. Berkshire’s Jacob Ulatowski (106), Geneva’s Tanner Williams (113) and West Geauga’s Quentin Artino (157) all finished as runner-ups in their weights.