The Greater Metropolitan Area of Cleveland/Youngstown/Akron has always been 20 years ahead of the State in Wrestling. The area is considered one of the 'Meccas' of High school Wrestling. One of my coaches back in high school told me they were 20 years ahead of the state back in the 60's and 70's. I 'think?' he mentioned that Italian/Eastern European immigrants in the early 20's opened wrestling clubs and planted the seeds of the 'fruit' we all see today. The NE area has housed some of the nations best teams year in and year out since the 80's.
Basically, Wrestling is SERIOUS business up there in NEohio, would even go as far as to say that its more important then basketball in the winter time. The area is a wrestling haven. Much like how SWohio is a swimming haven.
As for the St Edward wrestling program, simple one answer..Tradition.
Ever since Howard Ferguson took over in the 70's, he has built a powerhouse that is only matched by St X's Swimming program in terms of success. Here's a good example of how much talent they draw. A guy, last name Stark, placed 2nd in state his junior year, comes back his senior year...can't crack the line up...crazy
In all honestly, it would be a career highlight for Coach Gaier if he managed to defeat Ed's in a duel. Their just too deep AND talented. Only 2 or 3 teams each year in the entire country has a fair shot of knocking them off. One of them, a SWohio team, St Paris Graham. Jeff Jordan has established a national powerhouse in their own right, and one of the few teams with legit shots against Ed's, and their only division 2. The other, a private boarding school in east coast NJ, Blair Academy, who recruit on a national level and field usually a team with kids from all across the country to compete with. I think they've gotten the best of Ed's in more recent years, but boy, those are the wrestling duels that are MUST-see, INTENSE, doesn't do the annual event justice but again its basically 'The Nation vs Greater Cleveland Area'....give ya an idea of whats going on in the winter time up in cleveland?
the 'USA Today' of wrestling
http://intermatwrestle.com/rankings/high_school/Team