Friday, May 19, 2006
The former New Orleans resident has had a busy year.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
STRUTHERS -- If it weren't for the damage caused to Louisiana by Hurricane Katrina last summer, Chris Manno would still be in his hometown of New Orleans enjoying everyday life as a high school student in the Pelican state.
Instead, he found himself with his mom and brother transplanted to relatives in Girard where he has had one memorable scholastic year, to say the least.
Thursday at the 19th Annual K.O. Drugs Boxing Tourney at the Struthers Field House, Manno made his year that much more memorable as he scored a unanimous decision over Mike Rosa of Boardman to advance in the Upperclass Division of the tournament.
"This was a really rough match for me tonight," Manno said. "I felt like I was in shape, but realize now that I need to be in better shape if I expect to win it all.
"My dad works as a maintenance officer at Tulane University, and stayed back while we were relocated. Our cousins, the Zuppo family, have been great during this transition and I'd sincerely like to thank them for everything that they have done for us during this trying year."
Sahli sets record
While Manno has both enjoyed and prospered as a pugilist during his year away from "home," hometown favorite Stephanie Sahli just keeps rolling along in the Female Division.
Thursday, she posted her eighth consecutive win, dating to last year, as she registered a second-round TKO over Jessica Ward of Canfield.
The defending tourney champion and Tri-County titlist from a season ago, Sahli's eight overall wins in the K.O Drugs Tourney now makes her the all-time winningest entrant in the female division.
"It feels good to hold that record, but more so to advance to the championship round once again," Sahli said. "I was able to work out a little more for this fight than my first fight, but realize that it will be a real challenge from here on out."
In the Underclass Division, Andre Fricker of Girard ran his record to 2-0 with a unanimous decision over Justin Chabek of Newton Falls.
He had already defeated Casey Bartley of Newton Falls in a unanimous decision on the first night of action on May 4.
"I started to tire the last few seconds of the second round and then lagged a little in the third round," Fricker said. "After working his face area and causing a bloody nose, I threw straight rights with the hopes of working that nose area.
"I was hoping for a stop, but he [Chabek] really hung in there. I'm really looking forward now to my next fight."
Undefeated
While Sahli ran her record to 2-0 in the Female Division, remaining undefeated in the Underclass Division are Chris Lorimer (Boardman), Allessandro Cutrona (Canfield), Colby Clayton (Boardman), Nick Elmo (Boardman), Fricker, Mike Peters (Mercer), Josh Hertel (Columbiana), Chris Nicopolis (Champion), Dave Nehlen (Brookfield), Eric Ocheltree (Mathews) and Keith Nunez (Campbell Memorial).
Undefeated in the Upperclass Division bracket are Cody Leek (Howland), Geno Clayton (Boardman), Jeremy Keffer (Boardman), Leo Rouan (Champion), Bryan Pegues (Ursuline), Mark Mehley (Struthers), Dustin Berresford (United), Mike Duponty (Struthers), Jarrod Reynolds (Liberty), Sean Mostov (Girard), Robert Randal (Girard) and Caleb Croul (Lisbon).
The semifinals for all three divisions will take place next Thursday while the Upperclass Division championships are slated for June 1.
The Underclass and Female Division championships are slated for June 2. All action will take place at the Struthers Field House and begin at 7 p.m.