Hickory to defend at Howland meet Saturday
This will be the 41st tournament at the Trumbull County school.
HOWLAND -- One of the area's oldest wrestling tournaments, the Howland Invitational, will be held for the 41st time Saturday.
Preliminary rounds will start at 11 a.m. at Howland High and championships and consolations are set for 7 p.m.
Hickory is the defending team champion, edging the host Tigers by six points. Franklin (Pa.), Liberty, North Olmsted, Salem, Geneva and Brookfield are also entered.
David Tharp of Liberty, a sophomore and returning district qualifier, placed third a year ago at 103 pounds, but will wrestle this weekend at 112. Teammate Josh Hall, a junior, placed third at 119.
The Leopards will also count on junior Scott Rogers, 145; sophomore Paul Martin, 160, and senior co-captains David Bratslavsky, 145, and Jules Nativo, 152, for points.
Solid squad: Howland, which captured the crown in 1999 and 2000, again has a solid squad that should challenge for the championship. Sophomore George Fetchko is the returning 189-pound champ.
Junior Anthony Prvonozac of the Tigers, 119, placed second last year as did senior Nicholas Rubesich. Junior Brandon Lucas, a two-time district qualifier, will wrestle at 112. Junior A.J. Lamp finished third at 130, while senior Ryan Gilliam was third at 135 last year and will wrestle at 140 this weekend.
Juniors Matt Zakrojsak placed fourth at 160 but moved up to 171.
Even Crowgey of Salem placed second at 189 pounds, but will wrestle at 215 Saturday. Teammates Gary Colian, 152, and Sam Duckworth, 275, both finished fourth last year.
Tickets for each session will cost $5 for adults and $3 for students.