Jameson’s MVP performance lifts Fitch

By ERIC HAMILTON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

AUSTINTOWN — Fitch High wrestling coach Brett Powell looked exhausted and he wasn’t even the one wrestling seven matches in two days.

When you host a tournament, keeping track of which of your wrestlers faces who and when becomes the least of a coach’s worries.

It was a grueling week for the long-time Falcons coach, as there were plenty of things to get ready for this weekend’s 25-team Joshua Hephner Memorial Tournament. Between his organizing responsibilities and running practice all week, Powell was ready for a nap Saturday night.

“This thing is a marathon,” said Powell. “But I’m lucky because our event staff here is unbelievable. Everyone takes a piece of the pie. We’re really proud of this tournament and even though it’s hard work, I wouldn’t give it up for anything.”

In the one hour between the semifinals and the finals, Powell did finally get a break to take care a few important things.

“I had to figure out what I was going to eat at the concession stand,” said Powell, who downed some kielbasa and pulled pork. “And I got to spend some time with a few of my ex-wrestlers and the Hephners. It was only 30 minutes, but the time was priceless.”

All of the hard work by Powell and the other 100 volunteers who help run the tournament paid off for Fitch, as the Falcons once again finished on top of the team standings with 368 points and won their seventh Hephner title.

Lake (275.5) finished a distant second and Ravenna (222), Marlington (209.5) and Monroeville (181) rounded out the top five teams.

Fifteen Fitch wrestlers placed in the top eight of their respective weight classes. Six Falcons wrestled in the championship finals. Winning individual titles for Fitch were 2008 tournament MVP Tony Jameson (145) and Louis Greco (152).

Shawn Ague (103), Zack Martin (125), Josh Pankewicz (160) and DJ Moss (285) each finished second.

“I’m really fortunate this year because our kids are so driven that they make it easy on me getting them ready,” said Powell. “We wrestled well here and my assistant coaches really worked hard and helped me take care of all the wrestling stuff this week.”

Jackson-Milton and Hubbard each placed six competitors, while Girard sent four to the awards podium. Brookfield had three placers and Ursuline, Warren JFK and Liberty each had one wrestler in the top eight.

Brookfield’s Dann Miller (130) picked up a second-place finish, while Jackson-Milton’s Santino Pizzuto (112) and Joe Skaggs (145) were also runners-up.

Powell is hoping to expand the tournament field to a maximum of 30 teams in the near future. When the tournament began 15 years ago, it started with eight teams and all of the original participants are still competing at the Hephner. There is a waiting list of other teams that want in.

“It’s becoming a showcase,” said Powell. “We have some tough teams here and everyone that comes wants to come back. It’s a special event that people want to be a part of.”