LIMA – Ottawa-Glandorf wrestling standout Daniel Beemer is on a mission.
After losing his semifinal match at last year’s state wrestling tournament and eventually placing fourth in the 195-pound weight class in Division III, Beemer has trained with a chip on his shoulder.
So far this season, Beemer has steamrolled through his opponents.
At this weekend’s LCC Thunderbird Invitational at Lima Central Catholic’s Edward C. Herr Gymnasium, Beemer (23-0) ran the table, en route to winning the title in the 182-pound weight class.
In the championship match, Beemer decisioned Carey sophomore standout Tanner May, 6-1. Last season, May was a state-placer as a freshman.
At last weekend’s Van Buren Invitational, Beemer won a hard-fought match against May, 2-1.
In Saturday’s championship match, Beemer left no doubt, as he scored back points early and controlled the match for all three periods.
“I wrestled a lot more technical in our last match (at Van Buren),” Beemer said. “For the most part, I really didn’t fire off shots like I usually do. But, I came in and re-adjusted my plan (on Saturday), and took a whole bunch of shots. I was pretty happy about the results.”
Beemer said his confidence grew as Saturday’s finals match progressed.
“I think in the first minute, I was able to get a take down and I was able to ride him out for the rest of the period,” Beemer said. “To be able to ride a strong kid like that for the rest of the period, gave me all the confidence I needed to finish the match.”
Last year’s fourth-place finish at the state tournament left a bad taste in Beemer’s mouth. In 2016, as a sophomore, Beemer placed fifth in the 182-pound weight class.
“It hurts,” Beemer said. “I was 36-0, heading into that semifinal match. I was within two matches of capping off a perfect season. I really didn’t wrestle to the best of my abilities. That left a bad feeling in my mouth. But I have that motivation fueling me right now to help me get to where I want to be.”
As a team, Ottawa-Glandorf had the best area performance, finishing fifth out of 44 teams.
Miami East won the team title, defeating second-place Troy Christian 196-188.5. Nelsonville-York (164.5) placed third, while Oak Harbor (127.5) and O-G (126) rounded out the top five teams.
Coldwater (sixth, 125.5) and Allen East (eighth, 111) were two other area squads that finished in the top ten.
The Caprella family enjoyed a great deal of success Saturday, as cousins Chase Caprella (Allen East) and Joey Caprella (Lima Central Catholic) both won titles in their respective weight classes.
In the 113-pound weight class, Chase Caprella (24-1) won a 7-2 decision over Covington’s Cael Vanderhorst in the championship match.
“He was tall and pretty tough,” Chase said about Vanderhorst. “I just had to stay in my position, not let him move me, and wrestle my match.”
Last season, Chase made it to the state tournament, where he went 0-2.
“I was a little disappointed in my postseason,” he said. “This year, I’m going for more.”
Joey Caprella had his hands full in his title match at 145 against St. Joseph Central Catholic’s Nate Vasquez.
Caprella was down 3-2 in the final period to Vasquez. However, Caprella (28-0) scored back points late in the match to record the hard-fought victory and to remain undefeated this season. In fact, up until Saturday’s finals match with Vasquez, Caprella had not been taken down this season.
Last season, Joey did not make it to the state tournament. He had a very tough draw at the district tournament and finished fifth (top four placers advance to state).
“I want to win it (state title) – nothing less,” Joey said with a grin.
Friday night, LCC’s Jordan Hinegardner recorded his 100th career win. Hinegardner went on to finish eighth Saturday in the 138-pound weight class.
Another piece of history was made Saturday at the Thunderbird Invitational. Miami East’s Olivia Shore became the first-ever female to win a title at the annual tournament. Shore won the title in the 106-pound weight class.
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