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Wrestling postseason focused on individual performance

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By John Cummings, Contributing Writer Updated 12:56 AM Thursday, February 16, 2012

Beavercreek junior 160-pounder Nick Corba has been through the brutal run of the Month of Champions. So as the wrestling postseason begins today, the Beavers’ returning state-placer knows it is time to shift from the “we” to the “me.”

“I’m not selfish, but this time of year you concentrate on yourself,” Corba said last week after claiming his second Greater Western Ohio Conference title. “You just have to get down and grind things out. My goal is winning state, not the GWOC.”

While most teams in the tournament count on teamwork to advance through the postseason, wrestling becomes all about moving on individually.

“The team race is not important to me,” Centerville coach Alan Bair said. “Win and advance is the motto; win by one point or by fall, just get to the next line of the bracket.

“With that being said, it would be nice to win a sectional.”

Bair’s Elks host both Division I sectionals beginning Friday, while Eaton and Tipp City host D-II meets and Carlisle and Lehman Catholic have D-III tournaments. The top four in each weight class advance to next week’s district tournament.

The Miami Valley returns 47 state qualifiers and 19 state-placers this season, but some will be at different weight classes than they have been during the season.

Dayton Christian returning state champion Jacob Danishek spent most of the season at 138 pounds, but will drop to 132 for the postseason, while Miamisburg’s Jordan Branham drops to 126 from 132.

“The biggest change from shifting from ‘we to me’ deals with the weight classes,” Franklin coach Jon Berry said. “During the season, especially in duals, we will put the best possible lineup out on the mat. We do not hesitate to bump a kid up a weight if it gives our team a better chance to win.”

Even with the shift in philosophy, individuals advancing puts points on the board in the team race.

“If we are able to accomplish our expectations, the team race will take care of itself,” Beavercreek coach Gary Wise said. “Next week, basically same message ... go as far and hard as you can.”

As Butler coach, Mark Peck says, the sectional tournament comes down to a simple question.

“Are you checking in or checking out?” Peck asks his team.

Division I Sectional Wrestling

Where: Centerville High School

When: Today, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m. (finals 1 hour after consolation semifinals)

Centerville 1 schools: Belmont, Centerville, Edgewood, Fairmont, Lakota East, Little Miami, Miamisburg, Northmont, Piqua, Talawanda, Troy, West Carrollton

Centerville 2 schools: Beavercreek, Butler, Fairborn, Lakota West, Middletown, Sidney, Springboro, Springfield, Stebbins, Tecumseh, Wayne, Xenia

Division II Sectional Wrestling

Where: Eaton High School

When: Today, 6 p.m.; Saturday, noon (finals 45 minutes after consolation semifinals)

Schools: Alter, Bellbrook, Carroll, CJ, Eaton, Franklin, Greenville, Monroe, Oakwood, Ross, Marshall, Trotwood-Madison, Valley View

Where: Tippecanoe High School

When: Saturday, 10 a.m. (finals at 4:30 p.m.)

Schools: Bellefontaine, Benjamin Logan, Graham, Indian Lake, Kenton Ridge, Meadowdale, Milton-Union, Northwestern, Tippecanoe, Urbana

Division III Sectional Wrestling

Where: Carlisle High School

When: Today, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. (finals 45 minutes after consolation semifinals)

Schools: Fenwick, Brookville, Carlisle, Dayton Christian, Dixie, Greeneview, Madison, Miami Valley School, Northridge, Preble Shawnee, Stivers, Twin Valley South, Waynesville

Where: Lehman Catholic

When: Today, 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. (finals 1 hour after consolation semifinals)

Schools: Arcanum, Catholic Central, Covington, Emmanuel Christian, Lehman Catholic, Mechanicsburg, Miami East, National Trail, Northeastern, Southeastern, Tri-County North, Triad, Troy Christian, Versailles, and West Liberty-Salem

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