SMCC Hall of Fame tabs 5 state champion wrestling teams

SANDUSKY — St. Mary Central Catholic's Athletic and Achievement's Hall of Fame committee has announced its 18th class will recognize members of the five wrestling teams who won state team championships in a row."We have sent out letters to 58 wrestlers and 12 coaches who were involved in winning the Division III state titles from 2002 through 2006," said Dave Mehling, selection committee chairman.The teams will be honored at the annual banquet Jan.14, 2018 at the Sandusky Yacht Club, and will also be recognized two days earlier (Jan. 12) at the SMCC boys basketball game. Tickets for the banquet will go on sale at a later date.Jude Roth was the head coach at the time and his assistants included Mark Hiemstra, Rick Bellamy, Aaron Voltz, Jim Stookey, Brad Petracca, Corey Smith, Andre Grant, Lou Grathwol, Scott Blanton, Joe Dye and Rich FinneranThe Panthers began their run in 2002 by rolling up 105.5 points to runner-up Bedford Chanel's 96.In 2003, SMCC finished with 124 points to Beachwood's 107.5, followed by 128.5 points in 2004 compared to Chanel's 84. In 2005, the Panthers tallied 121.5 points an Chanel again finished second at 78.5.The final year SMCC collected 89.5 points and Troy Christian had 79.SMCC had 11 state champions in that span, including three for Tanner Shearer (2002, 2003, 2004) and two each for Matt Stookey (2002 and 2003) and Spencer Dye (2004 and 2005).Joe Whelan won his title in 2004, Corey Opfer and Brinden Baum in 2005 and Pat Harrington in 2006.In that five-year span, Dye had a four-year mark of 190-20, Shearer 161-4 for three years and Whelan 157-12, also for three years.Shearer was 57-0 in 2002, Dye 37-0 in 2005 and Dusty Hermes compiled a 37-0 record in 2006 only to suffer a season-ending injury before the state championships.Over that period of time, the Panthers recorded 3,250 match wins and 1674 were by pins.The others wrestlers on the various teams consisted of Mike Link, Ben Smith, Bill Young. A.J. Lill, Tim Hiemstra, Shane Finneran, Phil Leone, Dave Guativa, Tim Pfanner, Paul Schriner, Cameron Whelan,Troy Dillinger, Dan Burns, Paul Jesberger, Josh Schwanger, Bryce Roth, Sam Sidoti, Ryan Longer, Brad Duncan, Phil Guerra and Jared James in 2002.In 2003, B.J. Bolanis, Gary Howell, Adam Olds, Ed Kolychek, Tyler Dahs, Thom Guerra, Jude Riedy, Luke Kromer, Berkley Miely and Charles Hartman were listed, followed by Rob Gliatta, Cory Burch, Dan Leal and Aaron Chamberlain in 2004.For 2005, Ed Guerra, Ryan Wasylik, Nick Miely, Christian Ortolani, Matt Lasnoski, Mark Costello, Jeff Guerra, Kyle Bellamy, Sean Bostater and Troy Opfer were on the roster.In 2006, Josh Prieur, Tim Davlin, Max Dahs, Adolph Leal and Shane Russell completed the team list.