Saturday, February 12, 2005
The senior won an individual championship at 145 pounds.
AUSTINTOWN -- Fitch High's Anthony Gigiliotti didn't grow up in Austintown. In fact, he just moved there after school started last fall.
When he moved in with his dad, he didn't know where he would end up wrestling, but he hoped to catch on somewhere.
His dad had already lived in Austintown and owns a franchise of Curves Fitness Center.
So, when Anthony got to town, he took care of a little business of his own.
Determined not to miss his senior wrestling season, Gigiliotti sought out Fitch wrestling coach Brett Powell about trying out for the team.
"He told us he was a decent wrestler at his old school," said Powell.
"But he's been a great wrestler for us. It was just fate that he ended up on our doorstep, but I couldn't have asked for a better kid. He fit right in with the other kids and has really developed into one of our leaders."
Top Gun
Gigiliotti's season at Fitch couldn't have been much better. He won tournament titles at Top Gun and the Josh Hephner Memorial Tournament and took second at Brecksville.
But his shining moment came Saturday night at the Division I sectional tournament. The senior plowed through the competition, winning an individual championship at 145 pounds.
His victory qualifies him for a spot at next week's district tournament at Massillon Perry High School.
Fitch placed seven wrestlers in the top four in their respective weight classes in advancing them to next weekend's district tournament.
Heading into the finals Saturday night, the Falcons were leading second-place Madison 181.5 to 134, assuring themselves the team crown, no matter what happened in the evening session.
Tony Jameson (103 pounds), Brian Weidenthal (125), Nick Bodnar (135), R.J. Donadee (140) and Gigiliotti (145) all won individual titles. Mike Westhead (130) and Dan Boseman (215) also qualified for districts.
Boardman will be represented at districts by Adam Chizmar (119), Jon Green (130), Mike Pasquale (189) and Justin Powell (215).
Chizmar won the 119-pound sectional title and Green earned top honors at 130.
Canfield boasts four district qualifiers. Moving on to next week's competition are Brad Benedict (103), Matt Narducci (135), Pat McCabe (171) and Nick Rousher (275).
XSaturday night's wrestling competition was not completed in time for this edition. A complete recap of all the weekend's action will be in Monday's edition.