HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW | Wrestling

EASTERN OHIO WRESTLING LEAGUE
DIVISION I
BOARDMAN
Coach: Dom Mancini
Years at school: 2
2001-02 record: 5-6, 0-4
Lettermen back (9): Adam Chizmar, 103-pound sophomore (19-13), district qualifier; Willie Rosa, 112, senior co-captain (24-11), district qualifier, EOWL champ; Brian Thompson, senior co-captain (21-11), 145 EOWL champ; Jon Green, 119, sophomore (10-14), fifth at sectional; Dan Theodore, 145, senior; Pat Hall, 171 senior; Ryan Robinson, 140 senior; Jeremy Pasquale, 140 sophomore; Mike Pasquale, 160 sophomore.
Outlook: Beaver Local, Fitch with veteran squads are the teams to beat in EOWL Div. I. The Spartans have a tough schedule ahead and a lot of underclassmen are going to have to step up in order for them to win.
FITCH
Coach: Brett Powell
Years at School: 18.
Lettermen back (10): Seniors -- John Chechitelli, 140; Frank Almasi, 135; Juniors -- Joe Murray, 125 (state qualifier); Eric Chine, 152 (state qualifier); Frank Donadee, Marc Noday, Kyle Gabrick, Ross Leskovec. Sophomores -- Matt Westhead, Fred Weidenthal (district qualifier).
Newcomers: Juniors -- John Smail, Matt Smail. Sophomores -- J.R. Miller, A.J. Watson. Freshmen -- Nick Bodnar, R.J. Donadee, Ferren MacDonald.
Coach says: Beaver Local should be the favorite with one of the best teams in its history. Howland and Canfield should also contend." -- Brett Powell..
CANFIELD
Coach: Dean Conley
Years at school: 4
2001-02 record: (7-8, 2-2)
Lettermen back (15): Seniors -- Bob Brenner, 152, 3-time district qualifier; Klynt Maston, 125, state qualifer as sophomore, state alternate last year, 3-time district qualifer. both should finish their careers with over 100 wins. Robbie Bresson, 160, 3-year lettermen, out with knee injury second-half of last year; Josh Conklin, heavyweight; Jake Hartman, 160-171; Adam Squicquero, 171. Juniors -- Chris Pankewicz, 140 district qualifier; Jarek Esarco, 189 district qualifier; Steve Demaiolo, 112 district qualifier; Steve Pitts, 152; Ken Daff, 135; Nick Graham, 171; Jim Hendrickson, 189; Mike Magyar, 130; Brett Sebbio, 119; Chris Traikoff, 145.
Outlook: Coach Conley expects juniors, who have varsity experience, to step it up and help this year.
Coach says: "Division I is perhaps the strongest it has been since I've been here and for us to win we are going to need a little bit of luck, stay healthy and wrestle better then we ever have."
The Cardinals had 18 scholar athletes last year and they are returning with a 3.2 GPA or higher.
"Who ever wins Div. I in EOWL should be in the top 10 in the state poll at the end of the year." -- Dean Conley."
BEAVER LOCAL
Coach: Rich Wright
Years at school: 13.
2001-02 Record: (12-1, 4-0).
Lettermen back: (11) Seniors: Josh Hoover, 112; Jared Hoppel, 130 (state qualifier); Jeremy Shaw, 145 (state qualifier); Jordan Williams, 171 (EOWL champ); Jared Williams, 189 (sectional champ). Juniors: Adam Hoppel, 215 (state champ); Joe Bellanda, 152. Sophomores: Luke Hoppel, 103 (district qualifier); Shawn Dunn, 125 (district qualifier.
Newcomers: Freshmen: Derek Caudill, 103; Jimmy Bowersock, 171.
Outlook: The Beavers expectations are high for the coming season.
Coach says: All the teams in our division of the EOWL create problems. We'll have to stay healthy and get better every week."
HOWLAND
Coach: Brian Earich
Years at School: 4
2001-02 record: 8-3-1
Lettermen back: (11): Seniors -- Matt Burns (2-3), 275; Mike Kovacich (25-9), 145 1001-02 district qualifier; A.J. Lamp (25-8), 130 district qualifier; Anthony Prvonozac (25-9). 140 district qualifier; Ryan Rappach (5-13), 135; Brandon Smith (12-15), 275; Matt Zakrajesk (15-13), 171. Junior -- Brandon Alexander (29-8), 160 district qualifier. Sophomores -- Ray Crawford (5-8), 119; Robert Holbert (8-8), 275; Paul Mauser (10-18), 112.
Newcomers: Juniors -- Jesse Allen, 140; Jeff Hyde, 189; Jeff Kovacich, 152; Ryan Machuzak, 215; Ryan Mowery, 215; James Murray, 135; Josh Stauffer, 125; Mario Zambelli, 152. Sophomores -- Joey Hlas, 140; Charles Johnson, 130; Billy Kalogeras, 171.
Outlook: With several veterans back, the Tigers will try for their sixth Metro Athletic Conference title, with Canfield, Salem and Alliance contending.
Coach says: "Leadership should come from our seniors, but several athletes will strive for district berths including two-year district qualifier Mike Kovavich." -- Brian Earich.
DIVISION II
WEST BRANCH
Coach: Mike Helm
Years at school: 4
Career record: 58-22
Lettermen back: (10): Seniors -- Seth Sharp (31-7), 275 pound 2001-02 state qualifier; Drew Newhart (30-5), 189-215 2001-02 district qualifier;
Luke Bardo, 160 junior (18-16), 2001-02 district qualifier; Wade Morrow, 135 senior (18-13), 2001-02 state qualifier; Steve Hilliard, 125 sophomore (18-7); Levi Bardo, 152 junior (16-16); Kyle Esterly, 130 junior (11-13); Keith Moulin, 103 junior; Griffin Romigh, 145-152 sophomore; Matt Scott, 160-171 junior.
Newcomers: Eric Citino, 130-135 junior; Eric Morrow, 119 sophomore; Andy Lamancusa, 119-125 freshman; Greg Miller, 171 sophomore; Kasey Gottardi, 135 junior.
Outlook: The Warriors lost five 20-match winners at graduation. How quickly inexperienced wrestlers develop will be a key to any success. Coach Helm thinks Salem and Alliance, returning many veterans, will be strong in Div. II.
ALLIANCE
Coach: Frank Mancini
Years at school: 11.
Lettermen back: (12): Seniors: Nick Gavin, 103; Josh O'Neil, 152 and Aaron Arbogast. Juniors: Ron Counter, 119; Stefan Dreger, 130-135; Jon Lee, 145; Matt Adelman, 160; Ryan Walker, 215. Sophomores: David Murphy, 119-125; Josh Winner, 140; Chad Shields, 171; Andrew Zaleski, 275.
Newcomers: Freshmen: Chris Domino, 112; Matt Ours, 135; Josh Cintron, 135.
Outlook: The Aviators will compete in three leagues Federal, EOWL and MAC.
LIBERTY
Coach: Jim Hideg (46-62-1)
Lettermen back: (10): Seniors -- Co-captains Scott Rogers and McClon Lynch, Josh Hall and Jason Eagle. Juniors -- Paul Martin, David Tharp, David Oliveria and Jon Drennen. Sophomores -- tyler Williams, David Aron and Ilya Bratslavsky.
Newcomers: Freshmen -- Jared Hideg, Todd Rogers, Robbie Webber and Ryan O'Donnell.
DIVISION III
JACKSON-MILTON
Coach: Dave Tomaino
Years at school: 16
Career Record: (118-31)
Last year: 8-0, 3-0
Lettermen back: Seniors: Lee Keck, 145 (injured); Kyle Kemble, 103; Angelo Catone, 215; Robbie Miller, 130-135; Kyle Vernon, 160; Mike Theodore, 171. Junior: Nate Miller, 152-160. Sophomores: Nick Dierkes, 125; Jake Hambrick, 112; Adam Gettman, 112-119; Steven Bowles, 135;
Newcomers: Sophomore: Adam Keck, 152; Mark Gibbs, 130-135. Jamie Sallaz. Freshman Nick Tomaino, 119; Mike Wiseman, 130; Bruce Ferrero, 103; Kyle Walters, 130; Bruce Ferriera, heavyweight.
Outlook: The Bluejays, with seven district qualifiers and a state alternate back, will try and repeat as EOWL Div. III champions, a title that they have won nine years in a row.
WARREN JFK
Coach: Bob Poweski
Lettermen back: (12) Seniors -- Rocky Mitolo, Bobby Poweski, and Matt Roby. Juniors -- Kevin Barton, Chris Bradley, Adam Cranston, tom gergly and Mike O'Brien. sophomores Justin Bryan, Chris Knorr, Sam Rathburn, A.J. Seifert and Mike Walton.
Outlook: Bobby Poweski was a sectional champ and placed sixth at the district, while Chris Bradley and A.J. Seifert finished third and fourth respectively at the sectional. The Eagles will participate in the Catholic Invitational tournament(40 Div. I, II, III schools in January 2003).
Coach says: Our schedule is challenging, but I am very optimistic and looking forward to an extremely competitive season. -- Robert Poweski.
GIRARD
Coach: Jim Cardiero
Years at school: 12:
2001-02 Record: 5-10, 1-3
Lettermen back: (10) -- Seniors: Wes Stiner, 171 (23-15, district qualifier); Joe Martini, 189 (23-15, district qualifier); Matt Corsale, 160. Juniors: Gary Chaney, 130, 25-11; Marcus Hollenbank, 160 (district qualifier); Dan Martini, 215. Sophomores: Ben Wagner, 152, 17-14.
Newcomers: Freshman: Jake Howley, 103; Pat Rozzo, 112; Dom Martini, 119; Ben Belcik, 125; Bob Randall, 215.
Outlook: The Indians have 27 out for the team and they are working hard and the team expects to win some matches they couldn't last year.
Coach says: Jackson Milton looks strong as usual and they have a good freshman class coming up to fill in the holes on an already strong team. We go into every season expecting to win and all I can control is to get the kids ready and let the season play itself out."
BROOKFIELD
Coach: Jim Hennessey
Years at school: 18:
2001-02 Record: 14-4, 2-1:
Lettermen back: (7) -- Seniors: Joe McFarland, 140; Mike Miller, 160; Ryan Tice, 152. Juniors: Rich Baum, 275; J.D. Underwood, 171: Ed Thompson, 135. Sophomres: Dave Dillon, 130; Randy Marray, 112; Mike Cryster, 119; Nick Policastro, 125.
Newcomers: Lonnie Kolart, 135; Josh Mathews, 152-160; Aaron Praska, 215; Raymond Baum, 160; Justin Millerl, 103.
Outlook: the Warriors are looking to have a decent, provided they don't have injures at the lightweight classes. The team has a good freshman that could push some of the veterans.
Coach says: Jackson Milton is always tough and we will open with Warren JFK and Girard in a triangular match at Girard and those two teams should be much improved. "Things are starting to come into place for us and hopefully we'll have a succussful season. -- Jim Hennessey.
INDEPENDENTS
URSULINE
Coach: Dan Libert
Lettermen back: Seniors -- Billy Poole (23-10), Greg Parks (20-14), Tony Hinchcliffe, Dan Welsh, Mike Schesler. Junior -- Ryan Baltic. Sophomores -- Justin Puryear, Stan Kolitsos, Ryan Shardy, Shawn Poole.
Newcomers: Senior -- Arcale Peace. Junior -- Scott Green. Sophomores -- Zack Guerrier, Eric Monroe. Freshman -- Michael Hutch, Bryan Pegues, Joe Carkido.
Outlook: The Irish are led by a solid group of seniors, with a nice mix of underclassmen, with several new wrestlers showing a lot of promise. Ursuline is finally getting some wrestlers who had started in its youth program.
-- Vindicator staff reports