North rode two individual champions to a fourth-place finish at the Western Reserve Conference wrestling tournament on Saturday at Riverside High School.
Timmy Jesenovec and Michael Belanich both won their respective weight classes, and the Rangers had eight others finish among the top four.
“I was excited to win the WRC this year,” said Jesenovec, who won the 175-pound weight class. “It’s also good momentum for sectionals.”
Jesenovec opened the tournament with a 29-second pin and then he recorded a 55-second pin. He closed out his tournament run with a 15-0 technical fall.
“I was very satisfied with the way I wrestled,” he said. “I was using the double leg takedown to score and other moves. That’s what led me to winning. This win is helping me to get ready for sectionals and boosts my confidence.”
Belanich went 4-0 with four pins in winning the 285-pound bracket. His domination included pins of 10 and 48 seconds.
“It’s very exciting to start the postseason with a conference title,” Belanich said. “It keeps me motivated to keep working and improving my skills.”
Belanich’s success started on his feet.
“I dominated the way I did on the mat because of my offense,” he said. “Nobody could stop what I was going to do. I am extremely happy with the way I wrestled in the tournament but I can always get better.”
The win sends Belanich into the postseason with a big boost of confidence.
“The confidence this win gave me for sectionals is huge,” he said. “I feel like nobody can stand up to me anymore. I have to carry myself around as champion.”
Owen Hoerning (106) and Rion Dancy-Toma (150) both finished as the runner-up in their respective weight classes. Kolt Karovich (120), Drake Martinez (138), and Miles Sullivan (165) each placed third, and Brandon Bedworth (132), Ricky Szabo (190), and Cash Pemberton (215) finished fourth.