MANSFIELD, Ohio — Brandon Myers blew his cover during Saturday’s Division I sectional meet at Pete Henry Gym.
Mansfield Senior’s 220-pounder is no longer the best kept secret in Richland County.
Myers, who has spent the entirety of the season in the shadow of high-profile teammate Jesse Palser, won his first tournament title as the Tygers had their best sectional showing since 2009. Senior High boasted two champs (Palser was the other), two runners-up and one third-place finisher, qualifying five wrestlers to next week’s Division I district meet at Cleveland State.
“I just had a mindset of winning,” said Myers, who finished third at the Ohio Cardinal Conference meet and fifth at the J.C. Gorman Invitational. “This gives me confidence. It will be my first time (at the district tournament). It will be a good experience.”
A sophomore, Myers (36-7) make quick work of the competition. He pinned Ashland’s Matt Fike in the semifinals and followed with a first-period pin of Findlay’s Dewey Lee in the finals.
“Brandon has been impressive all year,” Senior High coach Billy Stevens said. “He’s kind of been under the radar because Jesse has had such a great season. He set himself up really well for next week by winning a sectional championship.”
Tune-Up: As for Palser, the defending state runner-up at 170 powered to the sectional title with pins of Ashland’s Logan Barnett and Perrysburg’s Matt Waltermeyer.
“Jesse did exactly what we expected,” Stevens said. “We have a plan for him from match to match and he is right where he needs to be. What else can you say.”
The senior, who is headed to Lake Erie College, expects to have his hands full next week at Cleveland State.
“I’ll have to go all three periods next week sure,” Palser said. “We’ve trained for this. Hopefully this is my time to shine.”
District-Bound: Mansfield Senior’s Devin Marsh (195) and Jacquille Fletcher (285) punched their tickets to next week’s district meet with runner-up finishes. They will be joined by 182-pounder Deondre Williams, who finished third.
“Our kids have taken a couple steps forward during the last two weeks. They have really put the work in and I told them how proud of them I am,” Stevens said. “Even the kids who didn’t win a match went out and competed. They are no different than the guys who took first and second. It was a great team effort.
“We’ve got a lot to look forward to next week and a lot to look forward to next year, also.”
