Fitch's Jameson pads log to 32-0

Howland won the team championship at the Division I sectional at Fitch.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- Tony Jameson of Fitch High School says the first 20 seconds of his matches are important and if he takes control then the match pretty much goes his way.
Jameson (32-0) did just that with quickness and slick moves, pinning Kevin Kretz of Twinsburg in 3 minutes, 53 seconds for the Division I sectional tournament 119-pound championship.
"He [Kretz] tried to tip me over and I used his momentum to put him on his back," said Jameson.
The top four athletes in each weight class advanced to the district meet at Mentor High School.
Howland takes title
Twelve schools competed in the sectional in the Fitch High gymnasium, with Howland taking the team title with 187 points. Fitch was second with 177.5, followed by Kenston with 177 and Boardman with 165.5.
"I believe our weight class at next week's district will be the toughest in the state," said Jameson. "I will have a chance to meet the number two- and three-ranked wrestlers in the state."
Jameson is ranked number one by the prestigious Brakeman Report.
Matt Kuti (30-7) of Fitch, a junior, was a decision winner over Mike Krestsoulas of Howland for the 189-pound crown.
Fitch coach Brett Powell, who has seven wrestlers going to the district, said, "Kuti has worked hard all year and placed in every tournament that we completed in this season.
"He's one of those guys who has come up through our junior and senior high programs and has been good for us wrestling," said Powell.
Leak wins on pin
Howland's Kyle Leak (28-8), a freshman, pinned Kyle King of Madison one minute into the second period of their 112-pound championship match.
"It was real close until a double leg takedown gave me two points in the last 30 seconds of the first period," said Leek. "After that, it gave me the confidence I needed to win.
"Coming into the match my coach [Brian Earich] told me I had a shot at winning it," said Leek. "Going to next week's district means a lot to me. Although I don't know how I'll do, there will be a lot of tough competition there."
Howland had eight wrestlers advance to the district.
Boardman's Justin Powell (32-1), a junior, won a 3-1 decision over Kyle Gantz of Howland for the 215-pound title. He is one of 10 Spartans who advanced to the district.
Won earlier in season
Powell had beaten Gantz 6-0 earlier in the season and said, "We both wrestled a little more aggressively in this match and I didn't wrestle as well as I wanted to."
"He [Gantz] came out and wanted to win. I tried to stay strong and wrestle smart. He's a tough kid and you don't want to make any mistakes.
"A takedown early in the match gave me two points and then I was given a point for an escape," said Powell.
"I stayed with solid stuff and didn't want to do anything that would risk what I had accomplished in the match," said Powell.
Tournament officials were unable to provide scores or pin times of other matches.
miller@vindy.com