Boardman's Powell follows father's path

By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Before the weekend is over, Justin Powell (36-1) may turn out to be one of the best wrestlers in the state.
But, even if the Boardman High junior places high in the Division I 215-pound class, he may not be the best wrestler in his own house.
That's because Kevin Powell, his father, was a state runner-up at West Branch in 1981 in the heavyweight class.
Of course, the elder Powell wouldn't mind having his son top his achievement.
Competition begins Thursday
Either way, the relationship will remain strong, just like Justin's chances when he attacks the other 215-pound hopefuls at Ohio State's Value City Arena inside the Schottenstein Center, starting Thursday.
"He's obsessed with winning a state title," said Dom Mancini, Justin's coach. "He trains harder than anyone I've had and his mental approach to the sport is outstanding."
Given that statement, it's scary.
As a sophomore, Powell went 1-2 at state in the same class, but didn't place.
"He wasn't even ranked, yet he knocked off some of the top guys to get to state," Mancini said. "He performed beyond his potential last year."
Standout in football
Not only was the 6-foot, 215-pound Powell a first-team All-Federal League selection in wrestling, he attained the same recognition as a defensive end in football last fall.
A lot of his success stems from his father's coaching.
"They have a real good relationship as far as him coaching his son," Mancini said. "He wrestles with his son just about every day."
Powell's biggest asset is his hips.
"He has very strong hips," Mancini said of the mechanic that is paramount in wrestling.
"The hips make or break a move," the coach said of countering moves or finishing moves. "Whenever he gets in scramble situations, he always comes out on top."
Not only is Justin inspired by the plaques and trophies in his environment, but his blood line runs deeper, too.
Uncle coaches at Fitch
His uncle, Brett Powell, is the Austintown Fitch wrestling coach.
"It's a strong athletic family for football and wrestling," said Mancini, who noted that Justin helped the Ohio team place ninth at the junior national duals in Oklahoma last summer.
"He went 7-3 to help Ohio. There's never been another kid from this area get picked," Mancini said of Justin's selection with the USA Wrestling-sponsored event.
Powell's first-round opponent is Justin Fletcher, a junior from Greenville High who is 36-10.
Also at 215 is Howland senior Kyle Gantz (33-6), who is paired against unbeaten Manju Jabbie, a senior from Westerville South who is 45-0.
Assuming Powell advances to the semifinals, he should meet Jabbie.
"That'll be his main competition. If Justin wrestles the way he has been, I don't see anybody beating him," Mancini said.
Part of wrestling's success is attitude -- and Powell has it.
"He's not a kid who's going to choke," Mancini said. "He loves the crowd and likes to be front and center. Confidence-wise, he's ahead of the game. He never doubts himself. From a coaching perspective, that's half the battle."
Only defeat this year
His only loss was to Alliance's Matt Walker in the EOWL semifinals. Powell was 21-0 at the time. Earlier, on Dec. 10, at the Painesville Riverside tourney, Powell beat Walker, 12-6.
"He's going there to win this thing," Mancini said. "He's as ready as he can be."
Mancini will also travel to Columbus with two alternates, both of whom placed fifth in the district in Mentor.
"They may get in if somebody gets hurt," Mancini said of juniors Michael Rosa (125) and Anthony Wills (135).
bassetti@vindy.com