Two Solon Wrestlers Deal with Pressure of Great Expectations

Being picked to win a state wrestling title by Brian Brakeman is heady stuff.

Brakeman is the Ohio wrestling guru, and while some of his selections are expected, others are not. Just making it to the state tournament in Columbus is difficult enough, but if Brakeman gives you his approval you might as well wear a singlet with a bullseye on the back. 

So it is for standout Solon sophomores Brandon Thompson and Anthony Collica, both of whom have been tabbed by Brakemen as state champs in the 40th annual edition of his report.

“There is a clear favorite and that has to be Brandon Thompson,” wrote Brakeman. “Some of his toughest competition will come in his own Mentor district.”

“Great on his feet … I see him squeaking out some close wins to win it,” writes Brakeman about Collica.

Comet head coach Tony DiGiovanni said Brakeman's projections were a "total shock."

“We knew he would have Brandon and Anthony in the top four and we were hoping to just fly under the radar,” he said.

No such luck for Thompson, the Northeast Ohio Conference champ at 103 pounds and Collica, the NOC titleist at 130 pounds. DiGiovanni, in his 28th season at Solon, has had 13 state champions and 15 runners-up. The last Comet to take a state crown was Garret Henry three years ago.

“The kids that make it to the podium in Columbus are the ones who are strong emotionally and psychologically,” said DiGiovanni. “These guys are responding to being in the limelight and they’re getting their teammates to step it up. They are using this notoriety as a tool to help the whole team.”

Both grapplers have excellent wrestling genes. Thompson’s father Mike is a Solon assistant coach and Brandon is a half-brother to three-time Comet state champ Kevin Hardy. Collica’s father Mike is also a Solon assistant coach and was a Division III champ at John Carroll.

“Brandon is a kid who has been in the wrestling room since he was 3 years old,” said DiGiovanni. “He stays the extra 15 minutes after practice and then goes home to run some more. As soon as the season is over, he will be in the car looking for a place to work out with the best kids around.”

Collica’s mother Beth was a professional water skier and he followed in her footsteps in that sport, developing strength and balance that has paid off on the mat.  

“Anthony was a successful wrestler from day one, he is very strong and athletic,” said DiGiovanni. “Both he and Brandon have really matured.”

Thompson won tourney titles at the Comet Classic and at North Coast this season and placed third at the brutal Powerade Tournament, dropping his semifinal bout in overtime.He had to default in last year’s district tournament.

Collica, a state junior high runner-up two years ago, dropped a tough 9-8 decision in the state quarterfinals last year at 112 pounds. He then lost in the consolations and failed to place.

Both wrestlers will have to emerge from the legendary Mentor Meatgrinder district tourney before they can even think about success at Columbus, where all the hours in the wrestling room pay off.

“One of the things we try and do is to get the kids to analyze themselves,” said DiGiovanni. “The coaches can’t feel what they feel. They are both becoming better communicators and that makes it much more fun for a coach.”

At last week’s Northeast Ohio Conference Meet, Collica had a huge final round match against Mayfield’s Mike Carlone. Falling behind 3-0, Collica roared back to win the bout by a 5-3 score. Thompson had an easier time of it against Armando Torres of Elyria, rolling to a 13-2 decision.

Both wrestlers have the backgrounds to become state champions. If they survive and advance to Columbus next month, the pressure mounts as the ultimate reward awaits.

And a fellow by the name of Brakeman will be there as well, watching to see if his predictions are on the money.