Every year for the past 50 years, the Wasko Memorial Tournament has been a Lorain County wrestling staple.
Renamed in honor of the late Jacob Wasko ahead of the 2023 rendition – who still lingers in the minds of many – the Wasko Memorial’s 50th anniversary also fell in Columbia’s centennial year celebration.
Combine those two pieces together, and the Raiders put together a show going into the finals. Seven of Columbia’s wrestlers made it to the medal round with Michael Frye (106 pounds), Andrew Sorensen (120) and Shea Fuller (144) all topping the podium, with Bryan Jones (165) taking runner-up in his weight class.
50th annual Wasko Memorial tournament wrestling: Columbia’s Michael Frye rolls to title win
While the hosting Raiders came up in a distant third, this year’s event had several distinguished guests from tournaments past and a tunnel for the wrestlers to exit through.
Saved this from the weekend. Columbia built a tunnel for Wrestlers to come through for the finals matches for the Wasko Memorial Tournament Jan. 6. @CHSraiders_wr pic.twitter.com/yTDLg2RPFX
— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) January 9, 2024
The tunnel itself – constructed by Ray Anthony Sr. – added to the gravitas of the event, a touch the wrestler definitely enjoyed.
“They all get a little kick out of it,” Columbia coach Dan Juliani said. “Even our girls want it for their tournament.
“I said they could have it when we have their 50th anniversary, too. So I told them they’re 47 years away from getting it,” Juliani added in jest. “But it’s going to top that now. It was a great atmosphere, great turnout and great day overall. Especially we get to celebrate the life of Jacob Wasko and the tradition here at Columbia as well.”
Andrew Sorensen talked about how special it was to win the tournament title at his weight class in front of a home crowd, with Columbia on the road for most of its remaining matches this year. He beat the top two seeds in the semifinals and finals while picking up bonus points for Columbia along the way.
120 CHAMP FINAL@CHSraiders_wr Andrew Sorensen with a 15-2 major decision@MJournalSports @ColumbiaAth pic.twitter.com/wXButnatL7
— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) January 6, 2024
“I wasn’t going to let the numbers scare me. I was going to go out there and win. That was my mindset.” Sorensen stated following his final bout.
The team atmosphere for this year’s tournament was “great” in Sorenson’s eyes, and putting in the work at practice in the days leading up to the big day paid off in spades.
“I was working hard at practice," he said. "I just wanted to put it all out there.”
As for the last individual title winner, Shea Fuller pinned his way to the title at 144 pounds, capping an impressive showing for the senior.
144 CHAMP FINAL
Shea Fuller gets a pin in the second period to take home a title. 2:53 fall
Fuller pinned his way to a title. @CHSraiders_wr @ColumbiaAth pic.twitter.com/aU7JBOnR6n
— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) January 6, 2024
“It was something I didn’t think I was going to be able to do or accomplish,” Fuller admitted. “But I’m here. I really couldn’t thank anyone else than Tony (Governale) and Garrett (Szuch).”
The two 2023 class graduates stood off to Fuller’s left and smiled as they got a bit of the credit. Along with them, state qualifier Hayden Garrow and multi-time state placer Cole Schulke were among several members of last year’s LC8 winning senior core who made an appearance.
“(Garrett and Tony) basically made me who I am, and I’m just going to keep on going," he said. "It’s only going up from here.”
After feeling like things were a bit rough in the early going for Fuller and the team, the Jan. 6 tournament provided a springboard of momentum for several wrestlers as the postseason stretch run comes into view.
“As of now, I feel like everybody is trying their best, going out there (and) wrestling their hardest,” Fuller said.
