Walsh Jesuit Ironman 2024

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — No one enjoys facing defeat, yet when competitors arrive at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman, the hopes of victory are somewhat moderated.

The 30th annual Ironman showcased this, bringing together 499 boys from over 130 institutions spanning 27 states to compete. For many, this event acts as a benchmark, offering insight into their abilities and how they compare with top athletes nationally.

Winning is a desire shared by all. However, the experience gained is invaluable, often reaping benefits for the remainder of the year.

“Ironman is our first event of the season, and I believe it serves as a humbling experience for many of our competitors,” stated Brecksville-Broadview Heights’ Riley McPherson. “In practice, you may feel confident. Then, at Ironman, a challenging draw can change that. Winning one match might leave you frustrated with your overall performance, but looking back later in the season can show you how much progress you’ve made.”

The Ironman is designed to challenge its participants, ensuring that wrestlers who usually excel find themselves facing tough situations. It can be daunting when someone is closely contesting you, particularly if you’re accustomed to dominating.

Wrestling is deeply emotional. Learning to manage that emotion amid challenges is among the key lessons imparted by the Ironman.

“Maintaining composure is crucial. If you can remain calm during victories and defeats, it enables you to wrestle more effectively in your next match,” McPherson explained. “Experiencing a significant loss can be disheartening, making your next bout tougher. Conversely, winning might leave you so energized that you forget your technique, leading to mistakes. Staying even-keeled is essential.”

This isn’t McPherson’s debut at this level.

As a senior, he provides guidance to the Bees this year. After securing third place at 190 in last season’s Division I state tournament, he did not reach the podium at the Ironman previously. He placed fifth this Saturday and is among the top contenders for an OHSAA title in March.

“If you finish 1-2 or 0-2 at Ironman, it’s disheartening. Yet, later in the season, you might find yourself succeeding against opponents you weren’t expected to beat,” McPherson remarked. “Competing in tough tournaments early in the season is beneficial. Ironman is arguably the toughest event we attend each year, and having it first paves the way for continued success throughout the season.”

Here’s a rundown of the remaining Northeast Ohio competitors who placed on Day 2 of the Ironman.

113: Connor Whitley, St. Edward, Freshman

Entering as the No. 8 seed, Whitley had a strong debut in his initial high school competition. He kicked off the tournament with an 11-2 major decision, followed by an impressive 18-0 technical fall that advanced him to the quarterfinals. He faced a narrow 4-3 loss against the top seed and eventual champion Fred Bachmann of Faith Christian Academy (Pa.) in the semifinals. He secured a podium spot with a reversal and four-point near-fall for a 7-1 tiebreaker win but suffered defeats in his subsequent matches to finish eighth.

120: Ethan Timar, St. Edward, Senior

Timar entered as the No. 10 seed and progressed past his first-round bye with a quick 52-second pin. He faced a close 8-7 decision against Revin Dickman from Brownsburg (Ind.) that denied him a spot in the quarterfinals, but he bounced back in the consolation bracket. He achieved extra points with a 14-2 major decision and a 4:28 pin in his next two bouts. Timar upset No. 8 seed Mikey Ruiz of Canyon Randall (Texas) with a 7-5 decision and moved on to the consolation semifinals with a 4-1 sudden victory. There, he pulled off another upset against No. 6 seed Shamus Regan of Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) with a 5-2 decision to reach the third-place match, where he fell 11-4 to No. 2 seed Dom Munarretto of St. Charles East (Ill.), finishing in a team-high fourth place.

126: Karson Brown, St. Edward, Junior

Brown, the No. 6 seed, began his tournament with successive technical falls of 18-1 and 21-2. He scored a 4-1 victory over the No. 11 seed, Devon Miller of Edmond North (Okla.), moving him to the quarterfinal. In the semifinal, he notched his third technical fall, outscoring his opponent 19-1. However, he lost to No. 2 seed Keanu Dillard of Bethlehem Catholic (Pa.), who eventually took second place, and faced a 2-0 loss against No. 9 seed Matt O’Neil of Malvern Prep (Pa.) in the fifth-place match. Brown finished fifth after a decisive overtime takedown secured him a 4-1 sudden victory.

175: Tyrel Miller, St. Edward, Senior

Entering as the No. 5 seed, Miller had an impressive start. Following a bye in the first round, he achieved a 17-2 technical fall in his opening match. He followed that with an 11-1 major decision but faced a setback in the quarterfinals with a late takedown that pushed him to the consolation bracket. He claimed a 12-0 victory in his first consolation match but fell short in the seventh-place match, which ended prematurely as he could not continue due to an injury.

190: Jarrel Miller, St. Edward, Senior

Miller came in as the No. 4 seed and pinned his first foe in just 38 seconds. After a third-period escape, he secured a 4-3 victory that sent him to the quarterfinals, where he advanced to the semifinals following a 12-6 decision. He was eliminated from contention by the eventual champion Adam Waters of Faith Christian Academy (Pa.). That was Miller’s final match of the day, as he defaulted to sixth due to injury.

215: Riley McPherson, Brecksville,

McPherson, entering as the No. 12 seed, had a strong opening day. He started with an 8-4 decision and followed with a 9-4 win over No. 5 seed Cael Mielnik from Blair Academy (Pa.), but lost 8-6 in the quarterfinals against Staunton River’s (Va.) No. 4 seed Landon Jobber-Spence. He rallied back with a pin against No. 10 seed Stosh Zalota of Malvern Prep (Pa.) in the consolation bracket and achieved another upset against No. 8 Wyatt Bush of Grundy (Va.) with a 4-2 decision. After dropping into the fifth-place match due to a loss in the consolation semifinals, he secured a 7-2 victory over No. 7 seed Alex Smith of Lake Highland Prep (Fla.).

285: E.J. German, Brecksville, Junior

After a first-round bye, German faced a loss in his opening match but managed to secure a podium finish. He won his first consolation match in overtime by a 7-1 sudden victory, then followed up with another overtime victory, this time 4-1. With a reversal and an escape in the extra period of his next match, he advanced to the consolation quarterfinal, finishing the day in eighth place.