The Enquirer's All-Star Teams
Fairfield's Laflin best as sophomore BY MARK MASSARO Enquirer Contributor
Fairfield sophomore Jason Laflin walks a fme line between confidence and braggadocio. In his brief career, Laflin has separated himself from the braggarts of his sport by backing up his words on the mat. This season, Fairfield's 105-pound powerhouse won his second regional championship and placed second in the Class AAA state tournament. These accomplishments have earned young Laflin The Enquirers Wrestler of the Year honors for the 1986-87 season. Bob Smith, who guided Milford to a No. 3 ranking in the city poll, earned The Enquirer's Coach of the Year recognition. "I think it's a nice honor. I'd like to win it for my next two years," Laflin said in his typical affirmative tone. "I've gotten (Wrestler of the Year) in other papers," added Laflin. "but I'm most happy to get this one, because it's the hardest to get." "He's hard working and very deserving of everything that comes his way," said Fairfield coach Ron Masanek. "A lot of people have goals, but Jason has plans on how to reach those goals." Laflin lost to senior Mike Elsass of North Canton Hoover in the state fmals, but knocked off defending state champion Randy Minadeo of Solon in the semifinals. In addition, Laflin is listed in U.S. Wrestling magazine's top 240 underclassmen wrestlers in America. So is his twin brother, Eric, who competed in the 112pound division. "We were really happy we got that," said jason, speaking for Eric and himself. "It looks good for college. Next year, I should be
First team
Wrestling
(All classes) 98 - Joey Williams (Lakota) 105- Jason Laflin (Fairfield) 112- Mitch Nice (Milford) 119- Chris Klumb (Elder) 126- Benny Baker (Fairfield) 132- Erik Hofmann (Sycamore) 138- Neil Batchelor (Amelia) 145- Jon Holman (Lebanon) 155- Ter~ King (Moel!erl 161 Wa Banker (McNicholas) 175- Shawn O'Connor (Amelia) 185 - Jeff Heidemann (Elder) Hwt- Andy Rosselot (McNicholas)
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Honorable Mention
Jason Laflin . . . state runner-up able to make it again and then make All-America as a senior me and my brother." Eric received honorable mention on The Enquirer's all-star wrestling team. At Milford, Smith had the Eagles ranked third in The Enquirer coaches' poll and guided four wrestlers to the state tournament. Previously, only two wrestlers in Milford's history had qualified for the state tournament. The Eagles, 8-0 in dual matches, won the Eastern Metro League tournament and Milford Invitational championships. They finished second in the Class AAA Fairfield district tournament and placed sixth in the Da)ton regional. "I'm really overwhelmed by the thought of it," Smith, a 16year coaching veteran, said of his award. "I guess you think about things like this, but when it happens it makes your heart start
Bob Smith . . . Milford coach pounding. I really can't express how I feel." Smith, who wrestled for 1960's state power Maple Heights and Marietta College, attributes Milford's newfound success to the attitude of his wrestlers rather than his skills as a coach. "The program has been a success not so much because of me, but because the kids were willing to do the work I asked them to do," Smith said. "We ran a weight room all summer long, and they kept it busy all s..unmer long. You can't teach that." It appears Smith has the Milford program on stable ground. It's youth program (third ro sixth graders) has doubled in size since his arrival, and the freshman team went undefeated last winter. ENQUIRER ALL-STAR TEAM
Wrestler of the Year
Jason Laflin (Fairfield) Coach of the Year
Bob Smith (Milford)
98- Keith Eberhart (Purcell Marian). Sean Murray (Fairfield), Tony Fullman (Madeira), Jim Grau (Lockland), Brett Branson (Glen Este). 105- Fred Boulton (Lebanon), Mike Evans (Princeton), "ill Palermo CMoel!erl, Scott Nicely (Blanchester), Marty Newberry (Milford). 112 - Tim Hennessy (Elder). Tom Drewry (Amelia), Brent Curry (Lakota), Eric Laflin (Fairfield). Steve Bixler (Blanchester). 119 - Scott DeWeese (Amelia), Tim Burns (Reading), Dave Salemme (St. Xavier). Lawrence Cotton (Aiken). 126 - Mario Riportella (Glen Este), Mike Shannon (Madeira), Joshua Robbins (St. Xavier), Brad Donathan (Westem Brown), Matt Frye (Bethel-Tate). 132- Bobby Duncan (Fairfield), Brian Harris (CAPE), Jeff Flamm (Greenhills), Mike Griffin (Reading). Tony Carpenter (Princeton), Rick Stocker (St. Xavier), Shane Woodruff (Loveland). 138 - Jay Dotson (Milford), Jason Randolf (Purcell Marian), Jeff Stanton (Lakota). Todd Siler (Wyoming). Matt Burns (Fairfield) 145 - Dan Mullen (Elder). Bill Hess (Goshen), Tom Rapp (Madeira). Shane Qualls (Milford). 155 - Marc Howard (Middletown), Brian Miller (Milford), Shawn Shelton (Batavia), Brett Shaut (Oak Hills), Mike Christian (Fairfield). 167 - Kevin Lewis (Colerain), Dave Hill (Princeton). 175 Jason Ferguson (Lakota), Tom Ferguson (Princeton), Dave Bierman (Clermont Northeastern), Cliff Pope (Purcell Marian), Shawn Ford (Lebanon). 185- Pat Dyer (Northwest), George Atkins (Madeira), Chris Courtney (Roger Bacon), Scott Vanover (Fairfield), Mark Hernandez (Milford). Hwt - Chris Davis (Milford), Ron Baird (LaSalle), Bill Pell (Clermont Northeastern), Isaac McMillen (Taft).