Wrestling

BEREA, OHIO -- Baldwin-Wallace College sophomore 285-pound wrestler Bryan Kmetz, a graduate of Brunswick High School and former Ohio High School Athletic Association state qualifier, thought he’d strapped on his head-gear for the last time his senior year of high school.

Kmetz left Brunswick and headed to B-W with ni intentions of wrestling..After spending his freshman year at B-W as a spectator, he decided to make a move back to the mat.

"Honestly, I just missed it," said Kmetz. "My real decision to come back into wrestling was because I’ve been doing it since first grade. When you compete for so long, you really don't appreciate it enough until you are away from it. Not wrestling last year may have been the best thing for me."

One person who is pleased that Kmetz has reurned is veteran Yellow Jacket Head Coach Rich Fleming, who has been a head coach for 36 years, 16 at B-W and 20 at Parma Senior High School. "Bryan is a first-class young man and an outstanding wrestler.

"We were hoping that Bryan would wrestle as a freshman but he wanted to make sure he had his feet firmly set in his academics before even thinking about wrestling, and that was fine," said Fleming. "When he finally decided to compete, we knew we had a good one."

Good doesn't totally describe what Kmetz has done in his first year at the collegiate level. He currently leads B-W in victories with 20 and is 20-3 overall with an .870 winning percentage. Kmetz is also 3-0 in Ohio Athletic Conference dual matches and is looking like the favorite and top seed at 285 pounds in the upcoming OAC Tournament (February 28 at John Carroll University).

Last weekend, at the Elmhurst College at Al Hanke Tournament in Elmhurst, Illinois, Kmetz placed second at 285 pounds with a 3-1 record. He lost his only match in the championship match sudden death overtime, 8-6.

Kmetz admits there were challenges getting back into the sport.

"When I started practicing again, I was used to working out so there wasn't much physical agony," said Kmetz, a fitness management major. "But the mental strain of wrestling can be rough. The combination of practices and tournaments does take away from time for schoolwork. However, the satisfaction I get from wrestling outweighs the negatives."

One major positive of Kmetz’s decision was his contribution to the B-W team. With last year’s graduation of Greg Hartlaub, Kmetz’s comeback filled a large void in the Yellow Jacket roster. Hartlaub, the 2003 Ohio Athletic Conference heavyweight champion and NCAA national qualifier, was a four-year starter.

What began as Kmetz’s desire to return to competition, has quickly evolved into championship performances by a first-year starter. Kmetz went 4-0 to claim the heavyweight title at the Rochester Institute of Technology Tournament on December 6, 2003 in Rochester New York. In the championship match, Kmetz defeated cross-town rival Derek Ankney of John Carroll with a score of 8-6.

"So far my best moment has been winning the RIT tournament," said Kmetz. "It was my first college tournament and I never expected to do that well."

In addition, Kmetz fared well at this year's Division III National Dual Match Championships at Lycoming College in Williamsport Pennsylvania. At the National Duals, he compiled a 3-0 record and helped the Yellow Jackets win one of their four matches.

"Bryan wrestled well at the National Duals," said Fleming. "We have a relatively young team (two seniors among the 22 team members), and Bryan is one of a number of talented young members of this team. He continues to dominate Division III competition and has solidified our lineup."

Having Kmetz at 285 pounds has been a key to B-W being 6-3 overall and a perfect 3-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference prior to wrestling against OAC and Cleveland cross-town rival John Carroll University on Tuesday, February 3 at the Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium in Berea.

"Last year, we had an outstanding heavyweight (285-pounder) in Greg Hartlaub of Avon Lake," said Fleming. "Greg won the OAC title and advanced to the Division III National Tournament. When he graduated, we needed someone of quality to fill that void. Bryan has certainly filled that void and more."

Kmetz feels that because wrestling is an individual sport, it has helped him. He wants to be in control of his own destiny. By working individually and independently, he is in control of how well he can do as well as his ability to help his team.

"I like wrestling because I know that when I win a match, it’s because of me and the work I put in," said Kmetz. "I alone won the match, but I’m helping the team too. The same goes for losing, it’s my fault, but I’m also affecting the team as a whole."

Fleming also feels that the individuality of the sport helps a person like Kmetz.

"Bryan is very self-motivated," said Fleming. "He works extremely hard and he is his biggest critic. Bryan is constantly seeking ways to get better and works hard to make changes that will make him better. He puts forth the effort that leads to winning championships. We have been very proud of Bryan, both the way he has wrestled and by the way he has helped to lead by-example."

Kmetz added, "Winning keeps me motivated. The thought of wrestling at nationals is a great motivator as well. It would be the greatest thing for our team to make an impact at the national tournament."

"Bryan will have a definite shot at getting to the nationals," said Fleming. "In the OAC, you must win your weight class to qualify, and Bryan has shown that he is one of the top 285-pounders in the OAC.

"Bryan knows that his opportunity to compete at the national tournament comes down to one day and at the OAC Tournament," said Fleming. "He has to be at his best on that one day. Bryan has the talent and ability. Now he has to perform on February 28 at John Carroll."

"Without a doubt, my biggest role model has been my dad," said Kmetz. "He wasn’t a wrestler but his work ethic has influenced me to go 110 percent all the time and in doing whatever I am doing. e taught me that you get out of something what you put into it.

"I want to also thank my dad and my family for coming to all my matches, every year, no matter the location," continued Kmetz. "My family came to RIT and to Lycoming and Elmhurst. That support makes a big difference."

With such a successful season as a first-year grappler, Kmetz remains focused on the three seasons ahead of him.

"After the season, I plan on lifting, putting on as many lbs. as possible and coming back bigger and stronger next season," said Kmetz.