Fitch sends five to state tourney

The Falcons’ Tony Jameson is making his fourth straight trip.

By ERIC HAMILTON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

MASSILLON — Don’t misunderstand. Fitch High’s Tony Jameson was as confident as he could be that he was going to win the 145-pound championship at the Massillon Perry district Saturday night. So when he pinned Akron Kenmore freshman Jamar Sheppard in the finals, he just took it in stride and ‘high-fived’ his opponent after the match.

With the victory, Jameson clinched his fourth straight state tournament berth, where he will be the favorite to become just the 16th competitor in Ohio high school wrestling history to win four state championships.

But what Jameson was most excited about was the fact that he’ll be taking four of his buddies to Columbus with him.

“That’s awesome,” said Jameson. “I’m excited about who the kids are, too because it is the ones that stay after practice and work with me. We had a feeling this was possible, but really around Top Gun time was when we really thought about the possibilities.

“It’s going to be great that I won’t be down there by myself. I’ll have guys around my size down there and that helps with practice this week.”

In addition to Jameson, Fitch will send Shawn Ague (103), Luis Greco (152), Josh Pankewicz (160) and Chris Miller (215) to the state tournament.

That qualifying quintet and sixth-place finishes by Jake Peterson (140) and D.J. Moss (285) propelled Fitch (107.5) to its best-ever district finish — second behind team champion Massillon Perry (149.5). It was a sweep of the top three for the Federal League, as Lake (104) finished third.

The five qualifiers are the most wrestlers Fitch has ever sent to state. In 2006, the Falcons advanced four and in 2007, three wrestlers went. With five qualifiers, the Falcons have a shot at finishing among the top 10 teams in Division I for the fourth straight year. Even better, if things go really well, Fitch could better its fourth-place finish from 1997.

“To bring seven here and place all seven at the toughest district in the state, are you kidding me?” said Fitch coach Brett Powell. “You can dream about doing that, but to actually do it is amazing. I’ve been saying all year these kids are special, and they just proved to everyone that they are.

“This tournament was tougher than the state tournament next weekend; this means everything. We really stepped up and wrestled well. We didn’t do as well in the finals as we wanted and that hurts with our draws next week, but these kids will take advantage of their opportunities.”

It will prove to be a memorable weekend for the Fitch contingent. In addition to the five qualifiers and Jameson’s bid for history, Powell will be inducted into the state coaches Hall of Fame. Also, former Fitch wrestler Derick Fletcher, who coached Ravenna to a Division II runner-up finish in 2007, will be honored as coach of the year.

“It will be like an all-Austintown weekend down there next week. Hopefully, everything will finish on a positive note,” said Powell.

Boardman will send a wrestler to the state tournament once again, as senior Jeff Liggitt will make the trip at 135 pounds. After advancing to the semifinals Friday, Liggitt lost that bout, but clinched a state bid with a 19-3 victory in the consolation semis. He defeated Canfield’s Brad Benedict to finish third.

“I’m so relieved right now,” said Liggitt, who will wrestle in his first state tournament. “This district is loaded and getting out was the hard part. I think placing next week might be the easier part.

“I knew that match against Benedict would be tough, because we work out together in the summer, so it was kind of like wrestling a teammate. I just have to keep going hard every match next weekend.”

Canfield’s Benedict made the most of his last opportunity to become a state qualifier. After falling in the quarterfinals, he reeled off three straight wins in the consolations to secure his ticket to Columbus. The senior finished fourth after falling to Liggitt in the finals.

“It feels amazing,” said Benedict. “It takes a lot of pressure off now that I made it out. Other than that, I really can’t put it into words.

“I’m just going to be ready to wrestle when my match comes up, have a good warm up and do the best I can. The rest of the time when I’m not wrestling, I’m just going to have fun and enjoy it.”

The state tournament begins Thursday evening at the Schottenstein Center at Ohio State.