The 2003 version of the Bellaire St. Johns Invitational was a little weaker in the over all number of wrestlers in general. But it was not lacking in quality final matches.

    At 103 Brian Scammel (StC) had a great tournament, he seemed to have no trouble in making weight and was in good shape. He clearly stood out above his opponents to capture the title.

    112 Chad Ware (MF) wore down Chauncey Green (Bell) to win the title. Ware showed great control and wrestled a mistake free match.

    119 Was a nice class with a few great young wrestlers and a common old name in the mix. Joe Skoff (BSJ) was in complete control of the weight class, just like last year. Skoff looked to be in mid season shape! He was attacking Anthony Valles (WM) the entire finals match. Skoff won 10-3 giving Valles all 3 points in finals. Zack Androsko (StC) was a good looking freshman, showing maturate and a bunch of upward potential.

    125 Mick Nicola was in complete control, as shown in his 17-2 Technical Fall in the finals over David Bortz (SCC). Bortz did wrestle a good tournament to make the finals in a competitive weight class.

    130 Senior Lance Navarra (SV) controlled (MF) Brady Roth to win a close 3-0 decision. Roth will be moving to Western PA. in the next couple of weeks.

    135    Returning State finalist Clay Tucker (MF) easily advanced to the finals, were he beat, and controlled a strong Dale Doebriener (Water).

    140    An all out of the O.V.A.C. finals included David Taylor (CMM) 6-2 decision of Jarrod Branham (Water)

    145    This weight class started to shed some light on the 145 pound weight class. Luke Warren (MF) snuck by Todd Hunkler (BSJ) in the so called semi finals of the pool tournament. He then took returning State Qualifier Billy Frollini (Shad) in to OT but came up short with a 7-5 loss.

    152 Jesse Irwin (Shad) lost a tough 3-2 decision to Jacob Bryant (CCM). In the match Irwin did not look as aggressive in the past. He did look to be in good shape.

    160 Chris Case (BSJ) was clearly above his competition with his 15-0 Technical Fall of Mike Hepburn in the finals. Hepburn could not stay out of the banana split.

    171 Was  great match up between two wrestlers who are familiar with wrestling in March. This could be a O.V.A.C. finals match and maybe a district finals as well. Chaz  Yoder (MF) squeaked out a hard fought 3-2 decision of Luke Burkhardt (Shad). Yoder got the crucial first take down to decide the match.

    189 State Qualifier Bobby Samas (Shad) Majored decisional a very strong Jake Lambert in the finals. Samas was very aggressive scoring on his feet quite often.

    215    State Qualifier Dan Howard (StC) was over powering, when it came to his finals match with Ryan Geltmeier (SV). Howard won 12-9. Nick Beagle (SCC) pick up a key seeding win over the light Jason Wright (Shad).

    275 State Qualifier Scott Neuenschuander (StC) just could not over come the huge Nate Thuboben (CCM). Thuboben recorded the fall in the 3rd period.

103 -- Brian Scammel (StC) Fall Bobby Morris (SCC), 5:34.
112 -- Chad Ware (MF) dec. Chauncey Green (Bell), 5-0.
119 -- Joe Skoff (SJC) dec. Anthony Valles (WM), 10-3.
125 -- Mickey Nicola (SJC) tech fall David Bortz (SCC), 17-2.
130 -- Lance Navarra (SV) dec. Brady Roth (MF), 3-0
135 -- Clay Tucker (MF) dec. Dale Doebriener (Water), 8-3
140 -- David Taylor (CCM) dec. Jarrod Branham (Water), 6-0
145 -- Billy Frollini (Shad) dec. Luke Warren (MF), 7-5, OT.
152 -- Jacob Bryant (CCM) dec. Jesse Irwin (Shad), 3-2.
160 -- Chris Case (SJC) tech Fall Mike Hepburn (Bell), 15-0.
171 -- Chas Yoder (MF) dec. Luke Burkhardt (Shad), 3-2.
189 -- Bobby Samsa (Shad) dec. Jake Lambert (CCM), 18-7.
215 -- Daniel Howard (StC) dec. Ryan Geltmeier (SV), 12-9
275 -- Nate Thoboben (CM) Fall Scott Neuenscwander (StC), 4:13.

Team Standings:

1ST Martins Ferry
2ND Sandy Valley
3RD Clinton-Massie
4TH Shadyside
5TH St John