Midwinter classic: Five things to watch at the Bill Dies Memorial Tournament

Michael Leonard, Akron Beacon Journal
·3 min read
Woodridge's A.J. Rickenbacher drives Springfield's Coby Watkins to the mat during a match last year.
Woodridge's A.J. Rickenbacher drives Springfield's Coby Watkins to the mat during a match last year.

There was a cheer — or at least an audible sigh of relief — throughout Akron Public Schools this week.

A potential teachers strike was averted just in time for APS to host one of its biggest annual events: The Bill Dies Memorial Tournament at Firestone.

Akron's mid-winter wrestling classic will welcome 29 teams to Firestone. The Dies will open at 4 p.m. Friday with wrestling resuming at 9 a.m. Saturday and finals at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Here's what to look for on the Falcons' green mats this weekend:

Welcome back! Let's wrestle!

Copley's Kyren Butler, left, wrestles Brecksville's Devin Miller in early rounds during the 2020 Bill Dies Memorial Tournament.
Copley's Kyren Butler, left, wrestles Brecksville's Devin Miller in early rounds during the 2020 Bill Dies Memorial Tournament.

The biggest news about the Dies is the fact it is taking place for the first time since 2020.

Pandemic-relation disruptions have kept wrestlers off the mats the past two years. The tournament just got the green light last week from APS.

According to Mike Dies, public relations director of the tournament and grandson of its namesake, there was excitement in the family when this year's event got the go-ahead.

"From our end, we need to have it," Dies said. "We can't afford to not have the tournament again."

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Akron wrestlers on Akron mats

Buchtel's Davian Greenlee takes off his headgear as Columbus St. Francis DeSales' Max Shulaw is declared the winner of their Division II 215 pound preliminary match on day one of the OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Friday.
Buchtel's Davian Greenlee takes off his headgear as Columbus St. Francis DeSales' Max Shulaw is declared the winner of their Division II 215 pound preliminary match on day one of the OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on Friday.

Even when it was announced the Dies would take place last week, there was a question of whether wrestlers from APS schools would be allowed to participate.

Thankfully, with the strike averted, that won't be the case.

Garfield, Buchtel and, of course, Firestone all will participate this weekend.

Keep an eye on Buchtel senior Davian "Bubba" Greenlee, who could be among the favorites in the heavyweight division before he drops to 215 pounds later this month.

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Without the Bees, who's buzzing the title?

Wadsworth's Jaxson Joy, left, takes on Brecksville's Kaden Jett in a 132-pound match in a dual match, Jan. 6, 2023, at Wadsworth.
Wadsworth's Jaxson Joy, left, takes on Brecksville's Kaden Jett in a 132-pound match in a dual match, Jan. 6, 2023, at Wadsworth.

Although Akron Public Schools will be at the tournament, the team that has dominated the Dies for much of the last decade will not.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights will spend Martin Luther King weekend at the Connellsville Duals in Pennsylvania. West Holmes, which was runner-up in 2020, also is not in this year's field.

So, who's the favorite? Good question, as the Dies will continue to give out trophies for the top team in Divisions I, II and III at the tournament.

"We were talking about how this could be the most wide-open tournament in years," Dies said.

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Can anyone stop Copley's big little man?

Copley's Javaan Yarbrough scores on Buckeye's Blake Bartos during his 106-pound championship win at the Medina Invitational Tournament on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022.
Copley's Javaan Yarbrough scores on Buckeye's Blake Bartos during his 106-pound championship win at the Medina Invitational Tournament on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022.

Although the team title might be up in the air, there is a clear early favorite for tournament MVP in Copley junior Javaan Yarbrough.

The two-time national champion has been on a mission since placing sixth in December at 106 pounds. He has his eyes fixed on the Division II state title and add his name to the list of Dies champions who have won state titles. That list includes big brother Marlon Yarbrough, who won the title at 106 pounds at the 2020 Dies.

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New security measures await spectators

Fans attending the Dies Tournament should be aware of increased security measures at Firestone High School.

According to the tournament website: "Due to increased security measures in the Akron Public Schools, APS is requiring the Bill Dies Memorial to use walk-through metal detectors at entry gates to enhance safety and security. In addition, large purses, backpacks, large bags and any weapon of any kind (including pocket knives) are prohibited."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: The Bill Dies Memorial Tournament is back. Here's what to look for