By Roger Gordon

Correspondent

A top-10 finish at the 2025 Division I state tournament is the ultimate goal for this season’s Aurora wrestling team.

“Last season we were 16th or 17th,” third-year Greenmen head coach Jeremy Johnson said. “This season, top 10 means a successful season for us.”

Four 2024 state tournament qualifiers — three of whom placed — return, so expectations are high.

“We’re a very senior-heavy team,” said Johnson, in his eighth year overall as a head coach at the high-school level, “which is great in the form of leadership.”

The state tournament is a long way off.

In the meantime, Aurora will try to improve upon its 4-3 dual-meet record and third-place finish in the Suburban League American Conference’s tournament last season and withstand the departures of graduated lettermen James Blaser and Austin Grossman.

Senior twins Johnny Green and Luke Green will lead the way for Aurora.

Both were state-placers last season, with Johnny’s fifth-place finish a team best.

Johnny, a three-time state placer, will compete in the 120-pound weight class, while Luke, a two-time state placer, will compete in the 113-pound weight division.  

“Not only are Luke and Johnny great wrestlers, but they’re great individuals,” said Johnson. “They lead by example. Their aggressiveness, their discipline and their commitment are keys to their success.”

Senior Cole Walton, who placed eighth at last year’s state tournament, will wrestle in the 165-pound weight class.

“Cole is a workhorse, a hard worker,” Johnson said. “He’s really good from the top position. He had a great off-season.”

Junior Drake Brasiel, a state qualifier a year ago, will compete in the 157-pound weight class. 

“Drake has really done a great job this off-season,” said the coach. “He’s a kid who loves the sport of wrestling. He’s pretty good from all positions. We’re excited to see him compete this year.”

Other wrestlers who Johnson said could find themselves at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus at the end of the season are seniors Cole Munn (132), Gio Kaplan (150) and Matthew Copley (heavyweight) and junior Nick Turba (106).

Cole and Turba were district qualifiers last season.

“Cole is just a great offensive wrestler, who is good on top on the mat,” the coach said. “Nick has been sort of the wrestler who’s been trying to find a spot in the lineup. I think this year his commitment and overall great ability will make him ready to punch through.

“Gio has really been working hard the last couple years. I think he’s finally found his stride. He’s also one who goes really hard, and he’s really sharpened his skills over the last year, year-and-a-half. Matthew has put together the last two years two solid years, and we’re looking for a standout senior performance from him.”

Other returning lettermen are juniors Michael Kennedy (144), Michael Wise (190) and A.J. Bruno (175) plus sophomore Grant Eaton (138). Kennedy and Wise qualified for districts last season.  

“Michael  Kennedy is just a motor, a goer who is in every match, who wrestles every second of every match,” said Johnson. “Michael Wise is a wrestler who leaves it all on the mat. He’s the type of wrestler who is going to fight until the bitter end.

“A.J. is in his first year of starting. I’m expecting him to finally put together a full varsity season, and I’m looking for overall improvement from the start of the year to the end of the year for him. I think last season was a huge learning curve for Grant, being a freshman. I think his overall work ethic kind of sets him apart, and we’re excited for a great season for him.”

The team’s starter in the 126-pound weight division is still up for grabs. 

Johnson’s assistant coaches are Cameron Kelly, Austin Reese, Mike Ryea, Tony Tritto, Scott Meyer and Mike Travagliante. 

Asked what will make this year’s Aurora team special, Johnson said the culmination of being an experienced team, which not only brings great wrestling skills but leadership. 

“I think that’s what’s going to pave the way,” he said. “They’re not only going to have success this year, but they’re also going to pave the way for those next in line.”

Johnson schedules tough regular-season opponents and tournaments to ready his team for the postseason.

“Obviously,” he said, “you want to win every match, but we just look for continuous improvement throughout the year because, at the end of the day, our calendar is circled around the postseason in late February, early March.

“If Cole and Johnny put it together, they could see themselves at the top in terms of the state tournament.”

Aurora opened its season on Dec. 6 at the Walsh Ironman at Walsh Jesuit and Dec. 7 at the Cobos Insurance Classic at Avon Lake.