By Roger Gordon

Correspondent

Aurora head coach Jeremy Johnson’s goal for his team was to win the eight-team American Conference championship in the Suburban League Tournament on Jan. 11 at Medina Highland.

The Greenmen finished runner-up, but Johnson will take it.

“We were pleased with our team’s overall performance,” he said. “I thought we wrestled well.”

Aurora totaled 418 points. Highland won the competition with 446 points, and Barberton was third with 264 points.

Individually, senior Cole Walton captured his second consecutive league championship, taking home the title in the 165-pound weight class (he won at 157 last season).

“Cole was very dominant all day,” Johnson said. “I believe he had a tech and a few pins.”

Finishing second were senior Cole Munn at 132 and junior Drake Brasiel at 157.

“Cole won his pool, and then he fed into the winner’s bracket, winning the semifinals in dominant fashion,” said the coach. “Then he wrestled a kid from Brecksville-Broadview Heights in the finals, which was a tough match. I think Cole is definitely confident after walking off the mat, and we’re excited to see him wrestle that opponent again.

“Drake had a great day overall. In the semifinals, he beat a state qualifier from Highland in dominant fashion. I believe he ended up pinning him. In the finals he ran into a Brecksville-Broadview Heights opponent who is a state placer and Fargo All-American. It was kind of a tougher match for Drake to compete in. Overall, though, I was pleased with him the entire tournament.”

Junior Nick Turba (113) and senior Johnny Green (120) both placed third.

“We were happy with Nick. He was able to wrestle well all day,” Johnson said. “In the semifinals, he lost to the returning state champ from Highland. He was able to bounce back to finish in third place in dominant fashion. In my opinion, I thought Nick was probably the second

best one in the weight class, but that’s not the way the bracket worked out. I was really happy with Nick and his performance. Johnny wrestled well. He lost a tough semifinal to a state-placer from Highland. It was a real competitive match. He just fell a little bit short, but I was happy with how he responded in coming back and taking third place.”

Next up for Aurora is the Top Gun Tournament in Alliance on Friday and Saturday.