Takedown serves to inspire Spartans' Anthony Wills

Eleven Boardman wrestlers advanced to next week's district meet.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- Boardman High's Anthony Wills, the 140-pound Division I sectional wrestling champion, said when Mike Mencini of Twinsburg took him down to take a lead in their match, then he started to wrestle.
"I felt stronger after that takedown and I opened up and did more," Wills said. "I expected a tough match and that's what I got from Mencini."
Wills took the title with a 9-6 decision Saturday night at Fitch High.
"Wills has to be one of the strongest 140-pound wrestlers in the state," Boardman coach Dominic Mancini said. "The difference in him this year than in other years is he's mentally tougher."
A veteran team, the Spartans set school records with nine wrestlers in the championship finals and 11 district qualifiers for next weekend's district meet at Massillon Perry.
Spartans first, Falcons next
The Spartans won the team championship with 239 points, Fitch was second with 222.5 and Kenston with 182.5.
Having won dual and EOWL titles to go along with its first sectional title (239 points) since 1986, Mancini said, "I think it proved we are the best team in the area."
"In my six years at Boardman, we have worked hard to get our program where it is and we'll build on that for the future," he added.
Also winning championships for the Spartans were Bobby Creatore (145), who decisioned Adam Rubesich of Howland, 3-2, and Justin Powell (215), who pinned Kyle Sonagere of Hudson in 5:01 in championship matches.
Fitch had seven athletes in title matches. Falcons coach Brett Powell predicted all of them would win -- six did.
"That's the most kids to reach that level in my 22 years," Powell said.
Federal showdown
Brian Weidenthal (152) of the Falcons won a hard-fought 6-5 decision over Nick DeMarinis of Boardman.
"He [DeMarinis] and I have wrestled many times and know what each other does and this was a great match," Weidenthal said.
Powell said, "Brian has a lot of heart and has benefited from wrestling and now believes in himself. He's an awesome student, excels on the mat and on the football field and is a good kid to be around.
J.J. Pankewicz (160) of Fitch pinned Weston Rajkovich of Boardman in 3:25 for the second time this month. They also met for the EOWL title.
"I used the dillon series where I downed him with his arm in the middle of his back," Pankewicz said. "Once I did that, I was in control."
Fitch's Tony Jameson (135), a two-time state champion, pinned Joe Molina of Boardman (3:57); Matt Kuti (189) decisioned Mike Kreatsoulas of Howland 15-12, and Chris Miller (175) decisioned Brandon Bucknell of Twinsburg, 8-3.
Howland's Kyle Leek decisioned Zack Martin of Fitch 7-0 for the 119 title, while teammate Greg Ryan won the 130 crown by technical fall (18-3) over Mike Rosa of Boardman.
In other title matches, Twinsburg's Ray Kelly (112) pinned Boardman's Rick Zupko in 5:59; Kevin Kretz (125) decisioned Boardman's Jeff Liggitt 11-10 and Kenston's Ryan Saks (171) won a major decision over Shaun Kennedy of Riverside (14-6).
miller@vindy.com