Jameson is MVP third straight year

Keyed by Tony Jameson, the Falcons won the title for the third straight year.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
AUSTINTOWN -- Austintown Fitch's state champion, Tony Jameson, and Shaker Heights' Marcel Clopton wrestled in what is probably a preview of the 135-pound state championship matchup in Columbus later in the year.
Jameson rallied from a 4-3 deficit in the third period to turn back Clopton 8-5 in a highly energetic and anticipated match that featured strength and athleticism by both athletes.
For the effort, Jameson was named the tournament's MVP for the third straight year.
The win helped the Fitch win the Josh Hephner Memorial team championship for the third straight year by compiling 313 points, to turn back 25 other teams before a standing room only crowd. Ravenna finished second with 270 points and Uniontown Lake was third with 255 points.
Four area wrestlers captured titles in the 14th annual tournament that featured 37 state-ranked wrestlers.
The Falcons had two champs while wrestlers from Brookfield and Jackson Milton also earned championships.
Martin, Thompson, Skaggs win
Besides Jameson's crown, Fitch's Zach Martin captured a title in the 119-weight class, while Brookfield's Tristan Thompson earned the 125 title. Joe Skaggs of Jackson Milton captured the 145 title.
& quot;This was a top-level, top-of-the class tournament and to win it again was an honor," said Fitch coach Brett Powell. "Everyone wrestled so hard and for us to have seven guys in the finals was our best effort.
"Hopefully this will be a big step for many of our wrestlers to get ready for state."
The Austintown Fitch Blue team held a commanding lead with 203 points entering Saturday night's finals.
Eleven Austintown Fitch wrestlers earned the right to wrestle in the championship brackets, and seven members earned their way to the final.
"Our guys really stepped it up in the morning matches," said Powell. "This tournament demands more than talent. It demands stamina and endurance.
"Our seniors, Brian Weidenthal, Matt Kuti and J.J. Pankewicz really stepped it up and drove our team effort."
Area setbacks
In the night's opening match in the 103 weight class, Fitch's Shawn Ague lost to Matt Meuer 12-2.
Austintown Red wrestler Scott Satterlee finished in fourth place after losing the third-place match to Devin Walker of Massillon Jackson.
The Falcons won their first championship of the night when Zack Martin defeated Tony Cardiero of Girard 7-1 at 119.
Jackson-Milton's Matt Maccioli won his 3rd place match 13-3 over Josh Oswald.
Thompson earned a championship in a tightly contested 4-3 victory over Tyler Lambert of Stow.
Thompson had a take down early in the third period to grab a 4-2 lead and then held on to gain the win.
"I knew it would be a tough match," Thompson said. "He was long but not real strong so my strategy was to take him down so that's what I stuck with."
Jameson shows his mettle
Jameson showed why he is a state champion by rallying in the third period to turn back Clopton. The athletic junior trailed 4-3 at the start of the third period but was able to overcome the deficit with some crafty work in the final two minutes.
"I didn't do anything different in the last period," Jameson said. "I kept my cool and was able to get the job done
"I think you will see us wrestling a lot in the future and I wouldn't be surprised if we meet in the state final. Clopton's a very good and strong wrestler."
In the 140 match, Fitch's Louis Greco was pinned by Matt Reedy of Ravenna at 5:35 of the contest.
Skaggs captured a hard-fought title by defeating Jared Lijoi of Lake 3-2 at 145.