On the Road

SBC, NOL Duals this weekend

By Jamie Baker
Lots of wrestling on tap this weekend.
The NOL Duals will be Friday and Saturday at Upper Sandusky and the SBC Duals will be at Oak Harbor the same days.
Here’s a link to the SBC Duals Schedule.
http://oakharborwrestling.com/2009sbcdualsschedule.html
Add in the Napoleon Duals, Toledo Waite and Van Buren Invitationals and it will be a busy, busy week for NW Ohio wrestlers.

NEWSLINKS
Bellevue gets a pair of wins
http://www.ourtownsnews.com/Bel/sports/wrestlers-win

NOL Duals set at Upper Sandusky
The 2010 NOL Wrestling Dual Tournament will be held on Friday, January 22nd, 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday January 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at Upper Sandusky High School. All eight NOL schools will compete in this event. Admission for each day will be $6 for adults and $4 for students/senior citizens.

OWL schools split triangular match
VAN BUREN -- Arcadia's Connor Lewis, Trevor Colman and Weston Conley posted a pair of pins each Monday when the Redskins took on Van Buren and Cory-Rawson in a triangular wrestling match between Ohio Wrestling League schools at Van Buren.
Conley, Arcadia's heavyweight, made quick work of his opponents, pinning both in the first period. Lewis, wrestling at 130 pounds, got more of a workout, going into the third period before flooring both of his opponents to improve his season record to 23-3.
Colman's two pins came in the 160-pound class. Dylan True (171) also went 2-0 for Arcadia with a pin and a 5-3 decision.
Van Buren's Chadwick Sonnenberg (140) posted two pins for the Black Knights to improve his record to 27-0 on the season. Cory-Rawson's Derek Cramer (215) was 2-0 with a pin and an 11-7 decision.
All three schools chalked up a win in the round-robin competition, with Cory-Rawson beating Van Buren 48-30, Van Buren beating Arcadia 42-36, and Arcadia beating Cory-Rawson 39-33.

CORY-RAWSON 48, VAN BUREN 30
103 -- Smith (C-R) won by forfeit.
112 -- Swisher (C-R) pinned Walke, 2:47.
119 -- Gar. Ward (VB) pinned Osborn, 2:58.
125 -- Double forfeit.
130 -- Simpson (C-R) pinned Gag. Ward, 4:43.
135 -- Beall (VB) won by forfeit.
140 -- Sonnenberg (VB) pinned Davis, 3:56.
145 -- Heath (C-R) pinned Beltz, 2:26.
152 -- L. Niese (C-R) pinned King, 1:19.
160 -- B. Niese (C-R) pinned Sexton, 1:59.
171 -- Barlekamp (C-R) Atchison, 3:14.
189 -- Oler (VB) won by forfeit.
215 -- Cramer (C-R) pinned Yeater, :54.
275 -- Ludwig (VB) pinned Desgranges, 1:42.

van buren 42, arcadia 36
103 -- Double forfeit.
112 -- Walke (VB) won by forfeit.
119 -- Gar. Ward (VB) won by forfeit.
125 -- Elchert (Arc) won by forfeit.
130 -- Lewis (Arc) pinned Gag. Ward, 5:05.
135 -- Beall (VB) pinned Bame, :40.
140 -- Sonnenberg (VB) pinned Smith, 3:28.
145 -- Beltz (VB) won by forfeit.
152 -- King (VB) won by forfeit.
160 -- Colman (Arc) pinned Sexton, 4:28.
171 -- True (Arc) pinned Atchison, 3:14.
189 -- Oler (VB) won by forfeit.
215 -- Moses (Arc) pinned Yeater, :48.
275 -- Conley (Arc) pinned Ludwig, 1:06.

arcadia 39, cory-rawson 33
103 -- Smith (C-R) won by forfeit.
112 -- Swisher (C-R) won by forfeit.
119 -- Osborn (C-R) won by forfeit.
125 -- Elchert (Arc) won by forfeit.
130 -- Lewis (Arc) pinned Simpson, 5:19.
135 -- Bame (Arc) won by forfeit.
140 -- Smith (Arc) pinned Davis, 2:49.
145 -- L. Niese (C-R) won by forfeit.
152 -- Heath (C-R) won by forfeit.
160 -- Colman (Arc) pinned B. Niese, 3:25.
171 -- True (Arc) dec. Barlekamp, 5-3.
189 -- Double forfeit.
215 -- Cramer (C-R) dec. Moses. 11-7.
275 -- Conley (Arc) pinned Desgranges. 1:05.

Marion Elgin Invitational
Team Standings
1, Lexington 408. 2, Apple Creek Waynedale 297. 3, Chagrin Falls Kenston 232. 4, Olentangy Liberty 230. 5, Sandusky Perkins 222½. 6, Blanchester 186½. 7, Galion Northmor 183½. 8, Gahanna Lincoln 171½. 9, Nelsonville-York 158. 10, Canal Winchester 155½. 11, Ashland Crestview 148½. 12, Reynoldsburg 142. 13, Heath 133. 14, Marion Pleasant 128½. 15, Bryan 127. 16, Clear Fork 115½. 17, Pataskala Watkins Memorial 101. 18, Delaware Hayes 92. 19, Huron 69. 20, New Albany 65. 21, Caledonia River Valley 63½. 22, Marion Harding 57. 23, Columbus Grandview Heights 54½. 24, Lorain Clearview 48. 25, Marion Elgin 25.

Championship Matches
103 — Fields (MP) pinned McCurdy (DH) 4:15
112 — Campbell (Lex) pinned McDougle (GL) 2:20
119 — Heminger (GN) maj. Dec. McLaughlin (NY) 16-6
125 — Smith (Ken) dec. Gambucci (Lex) 11-9
130 — Kunzi (WM) dec. Hile (Lex) 5-4
135 — Kazimir (Ken) dec. Faust (Lex) 12-7
140 — Kardasz (Lex) pinned Maneese (CF) 3:17
145 — Burrows (Lex) maj. Dec. Snyder (SP) 12-3
152 — Howe (Blan) pinned Falk (GH) 3:53
160 — Humphrey (Lex) maj. Dec. Schooley (OL) 8-0
171 — Trautman (SP) dec. Seigel (ACW) 5-1
189 — Beam (ACW) dec. Drumm (Heath) 11-6
215 — Wright (GN) dec. Casey (OL) 8-4
285 — Endicott (AC) pinned Marrero (Rey) 1:09
Third Place
103 — Logan (SP) dec. Newell (Ken) 13-6
112 — Struble (Bry) dec. Harter (ACW) 6-4
119 — Mendoza (MH) pinned McDougle (Rey) 1:44
125 — Hutchins (CW) maj. Dec. Boone (OL) 10-1
130 — Panno (Blan) maj. Dec. Wider (ACW) 11-3
135 — Barlow (Heath) dec. Peterscheim (ACW)  2-0
140 — Thomas (OL) dec. Stanley (ACW) 4-1
145 — Schembri (GL) dec. Snyder (OL) 7-3
152 — Beam (ACW) maj. Dec. Hall (AC) 13-1
160 — Bellomy (CW) dec. Gardner (Bry) 6-2
171 — O’Neill (CF) pinned Archer (OL) 3:53
189 — Brown (GL) maj. Dec. Whisler (AC) 8-0
215 — Coon (NY) dec. Mullins (ACW) 9-6
285 — Majoy (Hur) dec. Setser (GN)
Fifth Place
103 — Durbin (AC) pinned Slaughter (Rey) 3:19
112 — Brady (CW) dec. Chang (Rey) 6-4
119 — Music (AC) maj. Dec. Sawayda (Ken) 12-1
125 — Cioca (Blan) by default over Neer (GN)
130 — Campbell (SP) pinned Leitwein (NY) 4:57
135 — Zedaker (Bry) pinned Stiltner (RV) :49
140 — Hanlon (Ken) dec. Hook (NY) 11-6
145 — Hartsell (Rey) maj. Dec. Krupa (CF) 15-5
152 — Rosch (CW) pinned Mays (NY) 4”39
160 — Gilday (Ken) maj. Dec. Montgomery (AC) 10-0
171 — Sumner (DH) dec. Brandon (Rey) 11-6
189 — Martinez (Lex) dec. Shoemaker (Blan) 3-2
215 — Odierno (NA) dec. Mielcarek (LC) 7-2
285 — Pressley (CW) pinned Sisson (MP) 2:20
Seventh Place
103 — Hollingsworth (LC) pinned Johnson (CF) 1:31
112 — Ward (Ken) maj. Dec. Alexander (MP) 6-5
119 — Ryan (OL) pinned Peck (NA) :39
125 — Snyder (SP) pinned Workman (RV) 4:17
130 — Gaffney (MP) over DiSanto (Ken) by forfeit
135 — Robb (WM) dec. Mees (SP) 8-6
140 — Robinson (Heath) dec. Matthias (SP) 4-0
145 — Kilista (DH) dec. Gester (AC) 3-2
152 — Meltz (Lex) maj. Dec. Hall (AC) 13-1
160 — Kibler (ME) dec. Runyon (Blan) 9-2
171 — Fackelman (Lex) dec. Curry (Blan) 10-3
189 — Fleming (OL) by default over Davlin (SP)
215 — Carson (Ken) dec. Romick (Hur) 5-3
285 — Tuaquoi (GL) pinned Gibson (RV) 1:46
 
Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association State Poll for 1/20/10.
Weekly Poll
Division I 
1. Wadsworth  (5) 68
2.   Lakewood St. Edward  (2)    65
3.   Massillon Perry       47
4.   Cincinnati Elder 37
5.   Cincinnati Moeller 36
6. Cleveland St. Ignatius 34
7. Brecksville-Broadview Heights   28
8.   Twinsburg   25
9.   Mason    12
10. Marysville   11
Others: Oregon Clay 10.

Division II
1. St. Paris Graham  (6) 60
2. Oak Harbor   51
3. Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit    44
4. Lexington   40
5. Uhrichsville Claymont    33
6. Parma Padua Franciscan    24
7.   Hunting Valley University School   18
8.   Beliot West Branch 12
9. Lewis Center Olentangy    11
9. Lisbon Beaver Local 11

Division III
1. Monroeville (5) 71
2. Cuyahoga Falls CVCA (1)     67
3. Bedford St. Peter Chanel  (2)    64
4. Cuyahoga Heights 48
5. West Jefferson   45
6. Troy Chirstian   39
7. Apple Creek Waynedale    29
8. Bloomdale Elmwood 20
9. Milan Edison   16
10. North Jackson Jackson-Milton   13
Others: New Lebanon Dixie 10.

Cadavers in Cincinnati

Slavery or human cadavers? My husband and I were torn between the two for our May 17 road trip to southwest Ohio. Ultimately, "Bodies... The Exhibition" won the coin toss over the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, so onward we went to the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, which is hosting the controversial exhibit through Sept. 1.

The terminal itself was built 75 years ago by seven railroads and has since become an Art Deco landmark. These days, it's drawn more attention than usual because of the Bodies exhibit. An AP story just released today (May 21) stated republican Missouri congressman Todd Akin, concerned about the source of plasticized cadavers in such exhibitions, has introduced a bill that would outlaw the import of bodies for them. The bill now has about 20 co-sponsors, including Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio.

The exhibit has been around for more than two years, and is being held simultaneously in different places, including Las Vegas. Its purpose is to give the general public the opportunity to view the human body in its entirety, just like medical students have for years, in order to gain a better appreciation and understanding of just how amazing we physiologically are.

But the bodies used for Bodies, produced by Premier Exhibitions, were obtained through the Dalian Medical University plastination laboratories in the People's Republic of China. Accusations have claimed the bodies may not have been given freely, and that not enough proof exists to determine that. Some have protested the Cincy exhibit.

Premier Exhibitions claims legal documentation provided by the university "states that only the bodies of people who are deceased from natural causes have been included" in these exhibits. The Cincy museum stands by its decision to present the exhibit, noting its specially convened panelists of area doctors, philosophers, legal experts and the like "unanimously agreed it was important to present this extraordinary educational experience..."

Aside from the controversy, Bodies does everything it sets out to do - informs, inspires, and, perhaps most effectively of all, fascinates. The exhibit starts out with the basics - full skeletons. It then progresses by highlighting more complex organ and structural styems and their relation to each other. We saw muscle layers. Nerves teased out individualy and displayed from head to toe. A process using liquid silicone rubber preserves at the cellular level so that things like the tiniest blood vessels can be seen. A heart really is about as big as a fist. The brain really is folded beautifully into the skull. Muscles layer over each other and tendons weave through to bone. And, aside from the smaller organs and tissues encased in glass, you can get as close as you want to the full-sized adult bodies without touching them.

Bodies doesn't say how the "specimens" died, but things from a breast with a cancerous lump to a hardened artery are there.

Reading material next to the displays and on the walls offers interesting lessons. Male sperm counts begin to decrease at age 35, for instance, and babies are born with more bones than adults. Docents are around to point out other things, like the fact that women's hips are wider than men's (makes sense, but it's so much easier to understand when you actually see them practically side by side).

One room, closed and attendence-optional, also contains fetuses and deceased infants, one of which had a cleft pallet and another Spina Bifida. The difference in size between fetuses that were 7 weeks and 8 weeks along was striking, and all offered incredible clarity and realization in terms of development.

I thought the one drawback to the exhibit was its overemphasis on lung cancer caused by smoking. I first saw a cancerous lung, in ye olde jar of fermaldehyde, in 7th grade. Been there, done that. But Bodies went further by offering a clear plastic box, about waist high, with which to toss your smokes and start kicking the habit then and there. Smoking causes cancer. Alright already. We get it. There was no box for, say, alcohol bottles or hypodermic needles. I was more into learning about the stuff I'd never seen and didn't necessarily know about in terms of disease and disorders.

At the end of the exhibit are books for visitors to leave comments. Along with my praises, I included the above criticism. Someone else before me evidently had a sense of humor though, because he/she wrote "ANYONE HUNGRY?" Which I thought wasn't too far off target because, it's disturbing to admit it, but many of the muscles did bring to mind steak. Perhaps the exhibit has/will influence a rise in vegetarianism?

Bodies... The Exhibit at Cincy (you'll pay way more in Vegas) costs $23 for adults, $15 for children and $19 for seniors. The museum's Omnimax Theater is also offering (for an additional cost) an accompanying "The Human Body" movie, featuring a day in the life focusing on biological processes that happen without our control and often unnoticed. Paristalsis, anyone?

Exhibition hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Cinncinnati Museum Center is right along I-75. For more information visit www.cincymuseum.org. 

Mackinaw Island and Soo Locks

Less than a day away, Mackinaw Island & the Soo Locks offer a great getaway with something to do for the entire family.  Whether it's a relaxing time along the lake, a stroll back in time on the Island or an interesting trip through the locks, there's plenty to do in this Upper Michigan area.  And it's easy to get to... simply go north on I-75 and when you see the big bridge, you are there.

This summer marked the fiftieth anniversary of the completion of the Mackinac Bridge.  At one time the bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world.  Today, it is still the longest bridge over fresh water.  To celebrate the bridge's birthday, there were several boat trips under the 550+ foot tall structure.  You really can't imagine the size of it until you are at water's level looking up nearly 200 feet to the bridge's deck.

Mackinaw City offers plenty to do while you are visiting there.  The area is probably best known for its fudge; during the busy summer season, it is estimated that, on average, five TONS of fudge are sold in the city and on the island daily!  But there's more than just fudge.  The area offers plenty of souvenir shopping with plenty of postcards, T-shirts, and other gift items for the folks back home.  One also has many dining options from the quick sandwich in a small sandwich shop to a complete meal served at one of the area's many restaurants.

Lakes Michigan and Huron were connected to each other by the Straits of Mackinaw.  These straits were treacherous for the early sailors and there are several shipwrecks at the bottom of the Straits to prove the point.  So, in order to protect the shipping and the sailors, a series of lighthouses was constructed along the Straits.  But unlike many lighthouses in other areas, these didn't have to be so tall because there were several of them.  The Mackinaw Light is located at the point, just east of the south end of the bridge.  Be sure to take the tour and speak with the lighthouse keeper for more interesting stories of lighthouses & shipping along the Straits.

Many of the nation's large motel & hotel chains offer comfortable lodging in the area.  You can also choose from many smaller, privately owned motels or even choose one of the several bed & breakfasts in the area.  Wherever you decide to stay, there will be plenty for you to do and you won't be too far from all that the area has to offer.

A short drive east and south of Mackinaw City takes you to Mill Creek State Park.  Here, you can see a demonstration of wood cutting from days gone by.  First, the presenters show how logs were cut by hand using a two-man saw.  Then, the water powered mill is used to demonstrate how the tedious and labor intensive task was made much quicker.  The area also offers several hiking trails and exhibits for those interested in the natural aspects of the area.

But the big attraction in the area is the island itself.  The boat trip to the island from any of the three ferry lines that serves the area takes about 15-20 minutes.  Once there, you take a bit of a step back in time as there are no motorized vehicles on the Island.  The only exception to this rule is for emergency vehicles which are kept well out of site unless they are needed.  Instead, people either walk, ride one of hundreds of bicycles on the island or tour in horse-drawn carriages.  Again, food and accommodations on the island go from the plain & simple all the way up to the five-star level.  Be sure to see the Grand Hotel which is the world's largest seasonal hotel and also has one of the longest continuous porches.  But keep in mind that if you plan to stay there, rooms start at $250 per night.

Any of the carriage rides offered by the Michigan State Parks will take you to many of the interesting places on the Island.  Arch Rock is a popular stop on these tours  but may not be much longer.  According to our tour guide, geologists have noticed a slow but steady deterioration of the arch over the years.  At first, efforts were made to patch it to try to preserve it a little longer.  While the concrete did hold, the exposed areas continued to erode due to natural causes.  So, it is estimated that in as little as another fifty or sixty years, Arch Rock will simply crumble and cease to exist.  But it is a must see in the meantime.

The carriage rides end at old Fort Mackinaw.  From here, soldiers (and today's tourists) have a commanding view of the town below and the Straits of Mackinaw.  The fort has a rather long & colorful history.  This history is shared by many of the reinactors who are stationed there.  During the day, you may witness a variety of "soldiering" activities including a parade grounds drill, musket firing, cannon firing and even a court martial.  But soldiers aren't the only people stationed at the fort.  There are also ladies decked in period dresses who are willing to be a part of your picture taking.

The island is also home to a large number of Boy Scouts who are invited to work there by the Governor of the State of Michigan.  These scouts assist the fort's staff and do a lot to make the many guests & visitors feel welcome.  Interestingly, one of the first scouts to work at the fort on Mackinaw Island was Gerald R. Ford who went on to become the 38th President of the United States.

While Arch Rock and Old Fort Mackinaw were highlights of our carriage tour, perhaps the most interesting part of it was our stop at the Butterfly Conservatory.  If you have never visited one, it is a lot of fun for the entire family.  We went into a greenhouse that was filled with exotic plants and... butterflies!  They were free to flit around and land on most anything anywhere they desired.  They particularly liked my straw hat and my daughter's flowered blouse.  We were told that new butterflies had to be constantly released in the area as they only lived for 3-10 days.  While the visit was an "add on" to our tour, it was well worth the money.

About 45 miles north of Mackinaw City & the Mackinac Bridge is Sault St. Marie, Michigan.  This is home to the Soo Locks.  The difference in water levels between Lake Superior and Lake Huron is approximately 21 feet.  The Soo Locks were built to allow ships to pass safely through the area and avoid the rapids.  Without the locks, there would be no shipping from Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes.

A visit to the Soo Locks is not complete without taking a boat tour around and through the locks.  The trip lasts about two hours and offers a unique perspective of how the locks work as you actually pass through them just like the large lake freighters do.  The tour also includes a close-up inspection of the Algoma Steel Corporation's plant from the water.  A ride back through the Canadian locks completes the tour.

While Upper Michigan is too far away to be considered as a "day trip," the area is certainly close enough for a 4- or 5-day quick getaway.  And with the variety of things to do there, no one will be bored for long.

Enjoy your visit!

By Dan Merkel, electronic sales representative