SPORTSINK.COM PHOTO

Twinsburg senior Michael Baker, a defending state champion, won a district championship at 182 pounds Saturday at the Mentor Division I District.

The week after Christmas is the best time of year for many wrestling fans as holiday tournaments kick into full swing.

This is the time many enthusiasts – and wrestlers alike – find out what they’re made of as some of the biggest invitationals in the area bring the best from all parts of Ohio and the surrounding states.

While only Walsh Jesuit will head to the Powerade Tournament in Pennsylvania from the SportsInk.com area, most of the rest find themselves either at the Medina Invitational Tournament, Kenston Invitational or Brecksville Holiday Tournament.

State championships aren’t won or lost at the end of December, but the stepping stones for many a title begin just before the clock signals in a new year.

Below are a few capsules to get the juices flowing and let you know what to expect out of the MIT, KIT and BHT:

37th annual Medina Invitational Tournament

When: Wednesday 10 a.m.; Thursday 10 a.m./6 p.m.

Where: Medina High School

Area teams: Buckeye, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Highland, Medina

Last year’s champion: Lakewood St. Edward

Returning individual champions (with last year’s weight class): 103: Nathan Tomasello (CVCA); 125: Dillon Campbell (Harrison); 130: Josh D’Urso (Springboro); 140: Zach Dailey (Massillon Perry).

Outlook: Last year, the MIT produced a great semifinal match between CVCA’s Alex Utley and Copley’s Sam Wheeler at 189 pounds.

Utley, who finished third in Division III last year, beat the eventual Division I state champion Wheeler in a 3-2 match.

With St. Edward heading to the Clash National Wrestling Duals in Rochester, Minn., the team race at the MIT will probably have a Michigan feel.

Nationally ranked Richmond has the numbers, but will be pushed by Detroit Central Catholic. Expect Massillon Perry to be in the mix as well.

47th annual Kenston Invitational Tournament

When: Wednesday 2 p.m.; Thursday 9:30 a.m./6 p.m.

Where: Chagrin Falls Kenston High School

Area teams: Cloverleaf, Crestwood, Nordonia, Ravenna, Streetsboro

Last year’s champion: Crestwood

Returning individual champions (with last year’s weight class): 103: Nick Mancini (Boardman); 119: TJ Levitsky (Parma); 125: John Dillon (Boardman); 130: Brian Brunner (North Olmsted); 135: Adam Sams (Fairfield); 152: Nick Graziani (Boardman).

Outlook: The only tournaments older than this one in Ohio are the North Canton Hoover Holiday Tournament (52 years) and BHT (51).

Last year, Crestwood crowned Adam Horovitz (145) and Cody Ryba (171) champions, but won the numbers game with 10 placers out of the 13 entered in the field.

On paper, Boardman looks like the favorite with three returning champions, but don’t count out the Red Devils.

Crestwood strong showings at the Aurora Invitational – where they were second – and Hudson Invitational – where they were third.

Dave Wrobel will have his squad ready for the KIT. Whether it equates to a team title will be found out Thursday night.

51st annual Brecksville Holiday Tournament

When: Thursday 11 a.m.; Friday 10 a.m./6:30 p.m.

Where: Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School

Area teams: Barberton, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Twinsburg, Wadsworth

Last year’s champion: Bedford St. Peter Chanel

Returning individual champions (with last year’s weight class): 103: Aaron Assad (Brecksville); 112: George DiCamillo (St. Ignatius); 125: Kagan Squire (Wadsworth); 130: Brent Fickel (Padua); 215: Nick Tavanello (Wadsworth); 285: Garrett Gray (Oregon Clay).

Outlook: En route to its Division III state title, Chanel dethroned two-time champion Wadsworth here last year.

With holes in the lineup, don’t expect the Firebirds to be a factor in the team race.

Nine teams in the field finished in the top 10 of their state championships last year with Chanel and Pope (Ga.) winning it all.

With a strong nucleus, Brecksville could break a 15-year drought and win its own tournament.

From an individual standpoint, St. Ignatius’ George DiCamillo could become the fourth wrestler to win four BHT titles, joining Monroeville’s Cam Tessari, Fairview’s Drew Pariano and Brecksville’s Craig Dimitris.