ALLIANCE — Where do I stand? That’s the question most everyone at the Top Gun wrestling tournament in Alliance was asking when the two-day tourney started on Jan. 16. By the time the final whistle blew late on Jan. 17, pretty much everyone had their answer. Ten News-Herald area boys came back no rth with podium spots after a rugged 48 hours of work. Even those who didn’t earn podium spots learned a lot. Perhaps no one learned more than West Geauga’s Brian Denamen. Leading, 4-2, as time wound down, Denamen took Brecksville’s Zack Aquila to his back in the final 10 seconds for the pin, which not only brought the Wolverines faithful to their feet, but also left everyone else in Harry Fails Gymnasium stunned after a match in which nobody but those from Chester Township gave Denamen a chance to survive. “To be honest, I don’t really care,” Denamen said. “My coaches and me believe I can wrestle with anyone in the state and anyone in the country. Just wrestle hard and have fun at the end of the day.” Aquila defeated Denamen earlier in the season, but said he gained momentum from getting the first takedown against the nationally ranked foe from Brecksville.  As the two scrambled in the final 30 seconds, Denamen came up with the mic-drop moment, and in doing so, probably put an Aquila-sized target on his back from here on out. “It’s fine,” Denamen said. “I want to wrestle the best guys.” For his efforts, Denamen was voted the most valuable wrestler of the tournament by the coaches. Mayfield’s John Harris also had a watershed moment at Top Gun. A year after placing fourth in Alliance, he won his semifinal match to earn a top-two spot. Harris came into the tournament a little chagrined because he dropped from No. 7 to No. 10 in the recent Division I state rankings at 215 pounds. But his performance this weekend spoke volumes. “This prepares me to get better,” he said. “I pay attention to rankings. The kid I just beat (Tuslaw’s Guhner Eberhardt) was ranked No. 7. I was kinda upset because he didn’t place at Medina, and I placed second. I knew I had to get better, so I feel pretty good.” The win put Harris into the championship bout against Brecksville’s E.J. German, the top seed in the tournament. Harris lost by decision to place second in his weight class. West Geauga led the area contingent in Alliance this weekend. Along with Denamen, other Wolverines to earn podium spots were Zander Joltin (138), Caden Kaleal (120) and Maveric Milnar (285). Joltin placed eighth, while Kaleal was fifth. Milnar’s match for third place was not contested in time for this edition. Kaleal had a tough draw from the get-go. He faced Clovis North’s Colton Meixner — the 20th-ranked 120-pounder in the nation — and had to battle his way back through the consolation bracket for his podium spot. He placed fifth with his finals opponent forfeiting. “This tournament prepares me not only for sectionals and districts, but state, also,” he said. “Last year, I placed sixth here and then placed first at sectionals and districts. This gets me ready for a deep run the rest of the season.” As for Milnar, he pinned three straight foes in the consolation bracket after losing in the quarterfinal round the night before. But, similarly to how postseason runs can go, he said he didn’t have time to hang his head and chose to persevere. He also won his 100th career match midday, which was significant. He finished fourth at heavyweight, but still chalked the weekend up to a successful journey. “It’s huge, man,” he said. “It shows how hard I’ve worked and how hard the coaches have pushed me. (To get Win No. 100) here means a lot against high-level competition. “After I lost yesterday, I talked to coach and he said I have to wake up, be more aggressive and be the predator, not the prey. I’m a lot more focused now.” Other area wrestlers to earn podium spots at Top Gun this weekend were: • Mayfield’s Asilbek Anvarov, who placed third at 120 with a sudden overtime victory at 120 pounds; • Kenston’s Carter Baran, who placed fifth at 126 with an 8-0 major decision win in the finals; • Mayfield’s Chayce Roberts, who placed seventh at 144 with a 5-4 decision in the finals; • Kenston’s Brady Baran, who finished in fourth at 144 via a 9-1 major decision loss in the finals; • Riverside’s Ben Hainzey, who placed fifth at 157 with a 13-3 major decision. ...read more read less