NOTE: The following is a team-by-team breakdown of the wrestling teams in Trumbull and Mahoning Counties. All teams compete in the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League, but not every team in the EOWL is located in Trumbull or Mahoning Counties. Those schools were not included in the preview.
AUSTINTOWN FITCH FALCONS
COACH: Brett Powell (28th year at Austintown Fitch, 227-125 career record)
SECTIONAL: Division I at Austintown Fitch High School.
TOP RETURNING WRESTLERS: Tyler Bell (Sr., 285, 17-5), Taylor Balog (Jr., 170, N/A), Mike Hafely (Sr., 145, 17-20), Camran Rezapourian (Jr., 160, N/A), Zach Mackall (Jr., 152, 24-14).
UP-AND-COMERS: Dylan Green (So., 126), Adam Koslik (Fr., 106), Austin Stevens (Fr., 113), Anthony Imburgia (Fr., 120), Adam Green (Fr., 132), Isiah Jackson (Fr., 160).
OUTLOOK: Austintown Fitch High School owns what is arguably the most successful wrestling program in the area. They've produced numerous state champions, including four-time winner Tony Jameson, among others. Yet, the last two years have been a bit of a struggle for the Falcons. They didn't advance a wrestler to the state tournament in either season, and while injuries factored into that, the Falcons weren't their usual dominant self at the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League tournament either. Coach Brett Powell, in his 28th season leading Fitch, said the Falcons might not be the powerhouse they were for much of 2000s right now, but he's confident they're headed in the right direction. "I feel like I did three or four years ago, and those were some pretty good years," he said. "I think these guys know how to wrestle. They want to change where we're at. They want to go back to how things used to be here at Fitch." One of the kids hoping to restore order for Fitch is senior 285-pounder Tyler Bell. Bell had to sit behind the Falcons' Lennie McGeachy (a sectional champion in 2012) all last season, so he's a bit inexperienced, but Powell said he dominated at the junior varsity level, and when he did get a chance to wrestle varsity at the EOWL Tournament last year, he took second place. Powell said Bell, who's 6-foot-2 and 285 pounds, has the overall athleticism it takes for a heavyweight to qualify for the state tournament. Others who will play big roles for Fitch are juniors Zach Mackall, Taylor Balog, Camran Rezapourian and senior Mike Hafely.
BOARDMAN SPARTANS
COACH: Dom Mancini (12th year at Boardman, 56-76 career record)
SECTIONAL: Division I at Austintown Fitch High School.
TOP RETURNING WRESTLERS: Nick Mancini (Sr., 113, 36-9 in 2011-12, two-time state qualifier), Joe Cordova (Sr., 182, 29-14, district qualifier), Peter Ryan (Sr., 126, 20-14, two-time district qualifier), Matt Inghram (Sr., 138, 10-13).
UP-AND-COMERS: Mario Graziani (Fr., 132, two-time state placer in junior high), Kyle Kondas (Sr., 145), Vince Mancini (So., 106).
OUTLOOK: The Spartans possess several quality wrestlers, including one of the best 113-pounders in the state in senior Nick Mancini, the son of coach Dom Mancini and a two-time state qualifier. Nick Mancini, who became the ninth Boardman wrestler to win 100 matches on Wednesday, has a legitimate shot at placing high at the state tournament, maybe even winning it. That's nothing new for the Spartans. Boardman is always a very strong tournament team because it annually boasts some of the top wrestlers in the area, but the Spartans have struggled a bit in dual meets. Dom Mancini said that could be the case again this year because depth is a concern. "It seems like every year we're a better tournament team than we are a dual meat team, and that's because we have some tough individuals. The hard part has always been putting a tough dual meet team together." Nick Mancini and 182-pound senior Joe Cordova are two of the best in the EOWL at their respective weight classes, so they'll certainly provide Boardman with a strong nucleus. Who else will surface as threats is the key question for the Spartans. Freshman Mario Graziani, a two-time state placer in junior high and the younger brother of 2012 state placer Nico Graziani, could be someone to look out for, and while Cordova may not be a well-known name around the league right now, Mancini believes he will be by the end of the year.
BROOKFIELD WARRIORS
COACH: Brad Harnett (First year)
SECTIONAL: Division III at Rootstown High School.
TOP RETURNING WRESTLERS: David Jamieson (Sr., 220, 35-12 in 2011-12 record), Zach Jamieson (Jr., 195, 17-15), Shane Howells (Jr., 126, N/A).
UP-AND-COMERS: Blazer Barr (So., 140), Gavin Miglets (So., 106), Chris Bernadella (Jr., 138, 11-23), Josh Summerfield (Fr., 220).
OUTLOOK: First-year coach Brad Harnett came back to his roots to retool the program that helped him become a state placer in 2005 (he's a 2007 Brookfield graduate). The Warriors always have their share of elite wrestlers, but they've lacked numbers (there are 11 kids on this year's roster) the past few seasons. Harnett is hoping to not only continue the strong tradition at Brookfield but build a foundation that will allow the Warriors to field an entire team. It's a task he knows won't be easy, but he's embracing the challenge. "It's actually very rewarding (to coach at my alma mater) because I know everybody and it seems like the whole school, administration and town has a lot of faith in me. But at the same time, it's very nervewracking and there's a lot of pressure because they expect to me to save the program. It's a little daunting, but it's the least I can do for my community." His workhorse this year will be senior David Jamieson, the EOWL champion at 220 pounds last year. Jamieson's combintation of strength and speed make him a viable candidate for the state tournament, and Harnett believes there are a few other sleepers who have a shot at going to Columbus as well. Juniors Zach Jamieson, David's brother, and Shane Howells, both return after solid 2011-12 seasons. Harnett also has high hopes for 138-pound junior Chris Bernadella and sophomore 106-pounder Gavin Miglets, a former state qualifier at the junior-high level who took a few years off.
CANFIELD CARDINALS
COACH: Dean Conley (14th year at Canfield, 137-82 career record)
SECTIONAL: Division II at West Branch High School.
TOP RETURNING WRESTLERS: Jake Dunbar (Sr., 132, 29-11 record in 2011-12), John Poullas (Sr, 160, 25-10), Anthony Spencer (Sr., 126, 22-10), Sam Conner (Sr., 205, 24-13), Steven Hamilton (Sr., 170, 19-14), Korey Frost (Jr., 113, 31-6), Curtis Burns (Jr., 220, 25-13), Stephen Daprile (Jr., 106, N/A), Stan Socha (Jr., 182, 21-16), Shawn Williams (Jr., 142, 22-15).
UP-AND-COMERS: Bryan Batton (Jr., 145), C.J. Frost (Fr., 126), David Labra (Fr., 152).
OUTLOOK: The ever-consistent Canfield Cardinals enter the season with one of the most promising young teams in the EOWL. Returning state qualifier Korey Frost, a junior, is starting the season on the bench due to an injury, but Canfield coach Dean Conley said it shouldn't keep him out for a long period of time. That's good because the Cardinals will need him to help mentor a vastly talented freshman class that won the Ohio Athletic Committee (White Division) state championship last year. Conley said the infusion of skill has led to some fierce practices. "I have freshmen coming into the room who are varsity ready, so it's been a weird room because it's been incredibly competitive," he said. "I was worried it was going to be a divided room, but it's actually mixed together pretty well. Our expectations in the room are high, but the EOWL is brutal, and northeast Ohio is brutal. So, you think you can do something special, but the area is so strong that it's hard to know." The Cardinals' depth should make them one of the premier dual-meet teams in the EOWL. Aside from the incoming freshmen, Canfield brings back a solid group of juniors and seniors. The Cardinals advanced three wrestlers to the Division II district tournament - all of who are returning - and several others missed out by one match at a brutal West Branch sectional tournament. Conley believes more than just Frost can reach the Schottenstein Center in Columbus (the site of the state tournament) this year, mainly because of his faith in a coaching staff that features four former head coaches. Conley said he's even more intrigued by the newly implemented Dual Meet State Tournament, which is in its first year of existence.
GIRARD INDIANS
COACH: Jim Cardiero (22nd year at Girard, 165-84 career record)
SECTIONAL: Division III at Rootstown High School.
TOP RETURNING WRESTLERS: Garrett Bass (Sr., 138, 16-11 in 2011-12, district qualifer), Zane Chase (Jr., 120, 22-15), Ed Sigurani (Jr., 132, 19-10), Matt Deal (Jr., 145, 26-12, district qualifier), Nick Cardiero (Jr. 152, 21-11), James Cupan (Jr., 160, 28-10), Ryan Leasure (Jr., 170, 6-3), Steven Roviscanec (Jr., 170, 15-14).
UP-AND-COMERS: Chris Morgan (Fr., 120), Ben Norman (Fr., 285), Noah Golden (Fr., 195).
OUTLOOK: The Indians have been a model of consistency under longtime coach Jim Cardiero, and this year doesn't appear to be any different than the last two decades. They advanced four wrestlers to the district tournament last year, and three of them return to the lineup in 2012. Cardiero believes all three (Zane Chase, Garrett Bass and James Cupan), along with a few others, can take their wrestling to the next level and reach the state tournament. "I like to hope that all the upperclassmen have a legitimate shot," he said. "That might be a pipe dream, but that's how I feel." It's not out of the question, but in a loaded Garfield Heights district, it won't be easy. Another goal is to claim a Division III EOWL title, something they narrowly missed out on last year, and that too will take plenty of work. "Everyone is going to have to compete at a high level for us to be able to win the league this year. Poland's going to be tough, I'm not sure what Liberty's bringing back and Jackson-Milton will be better. I think everyone will be competing, but Poland's the team to beat." Nick Cardiero, the quarterback for the Indians' football team and the younger brother of 2009 state placer Tony Cardiero, returns after an injury ended his 2012 season prematurely. He could be another potential state qualifier for the Indians. Cardiero is part of a junior class that is loaded with talent and could open some eyes within the league this year.
HOWLAND TIGERS
COACH: Bill Beasom (Fourth year at Howland, 26-6 career record)
SECTIONAL: Division II at West Branch High School.
TOP RETURNING WRESTLERS: Alex Cornicelli (Sr., 126, 30-11 in 2011-12), Cody Davis (Sr., 170, 26-7), Josh Grodesky (Sr., 182, 24-19), Nico Lucarelli (Sr., 113, 20-12), Andrew Rolfe (Sr., 195, 24-14), Gabe Stark (Sr., 145, 40-8), Aaron Jackson (So., 120, 21-16), Jordan Radich (So., 160, 12-5), David-Brian Whisler (So., 152, 30-11).
UP-AND-COMERS: Jack Finch (Sr., 220), Donato Natale (Jr., 132), Jimmy Lerakis (So., 106), Mike Bell (So., 285).
OUTLOOK: Howland won the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League tournament title as well as the Division II West Branch sectional championship in 2012. Ho hum, just another year for the Tigers. Howland is arguably the most consistent program in the Mahoning Valley over the past decade, and this may be the best Tigers team in recent history. There's a balanced mixture of youth and experience, a roster full of kids who have succeeded at every level and a coach who has groomed this team since they were in junior high. Bill Beasom, now in his fourth year as the high school coach after leading the junior high for two years, said last season was something special - Howland also went 11-0 in dual meets and won the All-American Conference and EOWL dual-meet titles - but he expects more in 2012-2013. "If everything comes together, we should be better than we were last year," he said. "When I look at the lineup from 106 to 285, it could be one of the best teams ever from Howland." That's quite the statement considering the success of the program, but it's not out of the question by any means. Senior Gabe Stark and sophomore David-Brian Whisler are two of the top-ranked wrestlers in the state in Division II. Stark placed fifth in the state at 138 pounds last year and Whisler, only a freshman at the time, missed out on a trip to state by four points. Both have the potential to place at the state tournament and possibly win it. Alex Cornicelli is another viable candidate to advance to Columbus, and Cody Davis, Austin Jackson and Josh Grodesky have outside shots as well. The Tigers should fare well in the Dual Meet State Championship as well.
HUBBARD EAGLES
COACH: Don Newell Jr. (Third year at Hubbard, career record not available)
SECTIONAL: Division II at West Branch High School.
TOP RETURNING WRESTLERS: Tyler Whitacre (So., 195, 24-18 in 2011-12).
UP-AND-COMERS: Ian Lowry (Jr., 170), Anthony Mierzwa (Jr., 182), Aidan Dudash (Jr., 160), C.J. Latronico (Fr., 106), Justin Halicki (Jr., 120), Tyreek Daniels (Fr., 285).
OUTLOOK: The Newell name is a familiar one when it comes to Hubbard wrestling. Don Newell Jr., the Eagles' current coach, wrestled at Hubbard in 1990s, and his dad, Don Newell, coached the Eagles during that era, one of the most successful in the program's history. Now, junior is trying to return the program to prominence. He enters his third season with a cautiously optimistic approach. His team is young (two seniors) and inexperienced, but there are 26 kids on the roster, the most in quite some time, and Newell said he sees progress on a daily basis. "I try to build a family atmosphere," he said. "They're all backing each other up, and at the end of the year, what I want them to know is that this is the toughest sport there is, and they hung in there, they beat their bodies up, but they stuck with it. They're all winners in my book just to finish the season. For someone to stand in front of all those people, getting your butt handed to you everyday, that's not easy to do. It takes a lot, and it teaches you a lot of mental toughness. It speaks volumes of the person you will become one day." The Eagles do return one of the most promising young upperweights in the area in Tyler Whitacre. As a freshman, the 195-pound Whitacre placed third in the EOWL Tournament and qualified for the Division II district tournament last year. Aside from Whitacre, Newell will rely on a strong junior class to help build the Eagles back into a winner.
JACKSON-MILTON BLUE JAYS
COACH: Dave Tomaino (27th year at Jackson-Milton, 219-93 career record)
SECTIONAL: Division III at Rootstown High School.
TOP RETURNING WRESTLERS: Mitch Tikkanen (So., 106, 15-12 record in 2011-12), Nick Armstrong (So., 120, N/A), Devin Seka (So., 120, 4-3), Brandon Lamb (So., 126, N/A), Nick Goodlin (So., 132/138, 4-17), Tyler Staton (Jr., 138, 12-17), Tyler Jeffries (So., 138/145, N/A), Ryan Fife (Jr., 145/152, N/A), Adam Jeffries (Sr., 152, 16-20), Corley Lamb (Jr., 195, N/A), Joe Conlon (Jr., 220, 8-21).
UP-AND-COMERS: Tyler Chamberlin (So., 113), Karl Sarver (So., 113), Donald Bryan (Fr., 120), Joe Burnside (Fr., 132), Preston Friend (So., 138), Tibius Kegley (Jr., 138), Chris Bailey (So., 145), Dom Schmitt (Jr., 195), Kyle Deeter (Jr., 220), Brennan Dunlap (So., 220).
OUTLOOK: The Blue Jays are coming off a rare down year (a "down year" in Jackson-Milton means no one made it to the state tournament). They were due considering they were coming off a season in which they placed seventh in the state as a team and had three wrestlers finish in the top five - including two-time state champion Johnny Matacic. Jackson-Milton still advanced four wrestlers to the district tournament in 2011-12, and an extremely youthful team gained valuable experience. The Blue Jays are young again this year (Adam Jeffries is the lone senior), but that doesn't mean another average season is in store. "I really feel like our team is going to change a lot from December to February," coach Dave Tomaino said. "We're going to mature. There are a lot of freshmen and sophomores, but most of them have wrestled varsity, so they've got to grow up. The way our schedule is, they're going to be ready. They're going to wrestle some of the better kids in the state in Division I and Division II. Our sectional is really going to be one of our easier tournaments, and we'll have one or two tournaments that are harder than our district (tournament)." Tomaino said he has a few "darkhorses" he believes can become state qualifiers, but he didn't want to tip his hand as to who they are. Sophomores Mitch Tikkanen and Devin Seka, along with Jeffries, are all returning district qualifiers, but the majority of the Blue Jays are relative unknowns, which seems to be the way Tomaino wants it.
LIBERTY LEOPARDS
COACH: Hadi A. Hadi (Second year at Liberty, 8-4 career record)
SECTIONAL: Division III at Rootstown High School.
TOP RETURNING WRESTLERS: Cody BuCher (Sr., 220, 18-9 record in 2011-12), Tyrell Jethrow (Sr., 152, 25-13), Brandon Jefferson (Sr., 145, 8-23), Dai'Quen Greene (Jr., 132, 4-19), Nick Kratsas (Jr., 170, 8-9).
UP-AND-COMERS: Robby Kurtz (Sr., 126), Aaren Hilson (Sr., 182), Austin Weinreber (Sr., 285), Daryl McLendon (Jr., 160), Joey Leshnack (Jr., 145), Tarik Muse (Jr., 145), Andrew Mathews (So., 132), Patrick Sturgeon (So., 182), Logan Weinreber (So., 195).
OUTLOOK: Liberty surprised most of the EOWL last year by winning the Division III dual-meet title under first-year coach Hadi A. Hadi. The Leopards were coming off a few rough seasons and not much was expected, but they won close matches against Girard, Jackson-Milton, Brookfield and Poland to secure the championship. They won't be sneaking up on anyone this year. Liberty returns a solid core, led by senior captains Tyrell Jethrow, Cody BuCher and Brandon Jefferson, and possesses a decent amount of depth, something Hadi said was crucial in achieving last year's success. The 1990 Liberty graduate said he understands staying on top is harder than getting there, but that doesn't mean he expects to take a step back this season. "I want them to be motivated to win both leagues," said Hadi of the EOWL and the All-American Conference. "We willed our way to that (league championship) and that's what it's going to take again this year." Liberty advanced five wrestlers to the Division III district tournament but narrowly missed out on sending someone to Columbus. Hadi said they struggled at times with two-day tournaments. To improve on that, Liberty beefed up its schedule, adding the Top Gun Tournament - one of the toughest tournaments in the state - as well as the Huron Duals. "We wanted a better schedule. The better competition you wrestle, the better you're going to be. If you wrestle scrub schools, when the time comes to wrestle that better kid, you're going to see the difference. You have to wrestle above your level. That's the only way to get better."
POLAND BULLDOGS
COACH: Tony Stellato (Second year at Poland, 10-5 career record)
SECTIONAL: Division II at West Branch High School.
TOP RETURNING WRESTLERS: Tad Duran (Sr., 126, 20-13), Jason Velasquez (Sr., 285, 12-19), Mike Audi (Jr., 182, 31-10), Bruno Spottleson (So., 132, 18-14), Anthony Mancini (So., 152, 21-15), John Berndt (So., 160, 12-8).
UP-AND-COMERS: Anthony Morucci (So., 120), David Slepski (Jr., 120), Bob Murcko (So., 120), David Esarco (Fr., 132), Joel Miller (Jr., 145), Bill Brundage (Jr., 220), Abe Kassem (Jr., 195), Nick Rizzo (Jr., 285), Anthony Audi (Fr., 145), Dante Ginnetti (Fr., 103), Trey Ellis (Fr., 180), Matt Duran (Fr., 138), Darren Goodin (Fr., 113).
OUTLOOK: Poland burst onto the scene unlike any first-year program in recent memory last season. The Bulldogs won the Division III title at the EOWL Tournament and narrowly missed out on a dual-meet title as well. They graduated only one senior, granted it was EOWL runner-up and district qualifier A.J. Shields, and their second year in the EOWL could be even better than their first. "With the league title at the EOWL Tournament, we knew that in a sense, there's a bull's-eye on our back, which is good because it will push the kids not to be satisfied with what we did in the past," coach Tony Stellato said. "They're motivated to make a run at that title again. They're taking that mentality. In a sense, being that we are still relatively new, we're out there with a chip on our shoulder. They know they have something to prove within the community. What we did last year isn't going to satisfy them. They're extremely hungry and that includes the freshmen class. They saw what we did last year, and they want to continue that success." Poland's best asset is its depth, with solid wrestlers at nearly every weight class. They also boast a few elite wrestlers, specifically Mike Audi, a 182-pound junior who won two matches at a very difficult Division II Alliance district last year and is a strong candidate to make the state tournament. Seniors Tad Duran and Jason Velasquez, along with sophomores Bruno Spottleson, Anthony Mancini and John Berndt will play integral roles as well.
