It’s not out of the ordinary to see a wrestler win his 100th career match in this day and age. Seeing a wrestler pose for pictures celebrating his 150th career win is a lot more rare. Seeing two kids from the same program hoist 150-win banners on the same day at the same tournament? That doesn’t happen often. Saturday, Jan. 10, was one of those days, though, at the 27th annual John Matteucci Memorial tournament at North, when West Geauga’s tandem of Zander Joltin and Brian Denamen both won their 150th career matches in front of a packed house. West Geauga's Zander Joltin holds a banner to commemorate his 150th career victory. (Brian Fisher - For The News-Herald) Later in the day, they both won their respective weight classes, as well. “I don’t know how many times it really happens having two 150-match winners in a program together at the same time,” West G coach Joe Joltin said. “To get two on the same day is really special. It’s been an amazing journey with these two kids. I couldn’t ask for two better wrestlers in the room or two better young men to know.” Zander Joltin  had to work hard for his 150th. He took down Stitt four times but was unable to get any nearfall points. Twice, Stitt got in deep on offensive shots, but Joltin fought off each one. When the match ended, a throng of West G supporters and parents matside applauded emphatically. “Getting my 150th career win was the best feeling – better than 100,” Joltin said in the understatement of the year. “I’m grateful and blessed. “My freshman year, I thought 100 would be cool, seeing all the names in the room (of previous 100-match winners). I never thought of getting 150, but when they told me before the season I was close, I was excited.” PHOTOS: North John Matteucci Invitational wrestling, Jan. 10, 2026 Denamen, the soft-spoken wrecking ball at 175 pounds, performed a takedown clinic against Shinault, the match stopping midway through the second period via the 15-point lead. With his father Scott — who was celebrating his birthday — and grandfather Rich coaching him in the corner, Denamen had a lot to be happy about. "I've been wrestling since third grade, so it's nice to have a milestone to reach," he said. Both Joltin and Denamen have a long list of memories that have come along with 150 career wins. Joltin remembers his first varsity win in the Marlington Duals his freshman year, while Denamen shrugged his shoulders. "It's just a blur," he said, not recalling his first win, "but I'm having a good time, so that's all that matters." Both Denamen and Joltin have state tournament memories, having wrestled on Ohio's grandest stage at The Schottenstein Center at Ohio State, a venue they plan on wrestling at the end of this season. "Probably just persevering," Joltin said of the challenge of the journey to 150 wins. "Through all the tough moments, the tough matches and battles, the practices, the weight cuts. You've got to stay true to your roots and be who you are." Said Denamen, "I've known Zander since middle school," he said. "It's fun to see us take the same-but-different journey to get to the same place." West Geauga senior Brian Denamen won his 150th career match on Jan. 10 at the Matteucci Memorial at North. He is holding a commemorative banner along with mother Eileen and father Scott. (John Kampf - The News-Herald) With plenty of wrestling yet to go this season, including next week's Top Gun Tournament, the upcoming Chagrin Valley Conference tournament and the run of state duals, sectional, district and state tournament, Denamen and Joltin will have the opportunity to significantly build on their current win totals. The program record of 157 wins (held by Adam Walters) is sure to go down in the not-so-near future. Walters still drills with Denamen in the West G wrestling room now and then. "Beating that will be fun, to rub it in his face a little bit," Denamen said with a grin. Aside from Joltin, Denamen and Welker, other area wrestlers to win their respective weight classes were: -- West Geauga's Caden Kaleal (120), who is also well on his way to winning his 150th career match before season's end. -- South's Cooper Fiebig (175) and Berkshire's Danny Tiller (190). ...read more read less