Bees wrestlers off to fastest start ever
by Sheldon Ocker
Brecksville-Broadview Heights High isn’t new to the world of big-time prep wrestling. For years, the Bees have been turning out impact competitors in major national tournaments as well as the state tourney.
But this season might be the best yet. At least it’s starting that way. For the first time in school history, a Bees wrestler – senior Jimmy Carmany, at 132 pounds – won an individual title at the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament at the University of Delaware the final weekend of 2019.
The Beast of the East event showcased 125 high school teams from 14 states and the District of Columbia. Brecksville-Broadview Heights finished second – its previous best was fourth – and five of its wrestlers placed among the top six in their weight classes.
Senior Ethan Hatcher was runner-up at 220 pounds; junior Ben Vanadia finished third in the 195-pound weight class; junior Victor Voinovich was fifth at 145 pounds; and sophomore Pito Castro was sixth at 106 pounds. All 14 Bees wrestlers who made the trip won at least one match. Hatcher and Voinovich have each placed twice in the tourney.
The Beast of the East is widely regarded as one of the top three high school wrestling tournaments in the nation, along with the Powerade Tournament in Canonsburg, Pa., and the Ironman Tournament at Walsh High School in Cuyahoga Falls.
The Bees barely had a chance to stretch their legs after the nine-hour bus trip from Delaware when it was time to participate in the Suburban League Tournament on Jan. 4. Not that it wasn’t worth it. BBHHS won the National Division title.
Their showing in the Beast of the East propelled the Bees to ninth place in the national rankings, with their entire dual meet schedule to come, as well as the state competition.
Considering the Bees’ impressive start, could this BBHHS team become the best in school history?
“I don’t know about that. We won the state tourney in 2015 and were runner-up in 2018,” coach Todd Haverdill said. “But I can say with confidence that this is the best December we’ve ever had. So this is a really good start to the season.”
Brecksville-Broadview Heights hosts its own annual high-powered event. This year, the Brecksville Holiday tournament featured wrestlers from Ohio and Michigan. Indiana usually sends a contingent, but wrestlers from the Hoosier state were barred from participating because the competition was held on a Sunday.
Hatcher and Castro won their weight classes, and Castro gave up only one point in all his matches combined. Voinovich was runner-up in his weight class, as was freshman Kaden Jett at 113 pounds. The Bees finished second to Detroit Central Catholic, which is ranked third in the country.
According the Haverdill, talent alone hasn’t been enough to sustain the Bees’ lengthy run of excellence.
“I think it’s mostly a leadership and culture thing,” the coach said. “The culture of our program is really good right now. The mutual respect in the room is very good. This is as good as the culture’s been for me as a coach.”
Brecksville-Broadview Heights’ tradition of wrestling success has become a magnet for kids who aspire to be the best they can be. “One thing, we have a great group of parents,” Haverdill said. “They have brought up their kids the right way. These kids respect Brecksville’s program, and that means something. It takes more than talent, although we have talented kids, too. It’s when you put all of this together that you have something special.”
Feature image photo caption: The Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School wrestling team took home second place out of 125 schools at the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament at the University of Delaware during the final weekend of 2019. The tournament win is one of many this winter as the Bees kick off their regular season.
