Fitch wrestlers sixth in Top Gun, second in Div. I
ALLIANCE — With some of the top wrestling teams in the state among the Top Gun field — including six that will compete in the same district as Fitch — the Falcons got a pretty good indication of where they stack up at this point in the season.
Fitch came away without any individual champions, but went 4-for-4 in the consolation finals and took sixth place in the team standings. The Falcons (111.5) finished as the second-best Division I team in the tournament behind Mayfield, who was third overall.
Defending champion St. Paris Graham dominated the tournament, racking up 351 points on the strength of eight individual champions, two seconds and two thirds. University School (127.5), Mayfield (126.5), Walsh Jesuit (121) and CVCA (114.5) rounded out the top five.
Leading Fitch with thirds were Shawn Ague (103 pounds), Jake Peterson (140), Louis Greco (145) and Chris Miller (215).
It was the second straight year on the third step of the podium for Greco and Miller, while Peterson and Ague placed for the first time.
“I wrestled better today than I did on Friday,” said Ague, who won four straight consolation matches after losing in the quarterfinals. “That loss to [Anthony] Zingale yesterday woke me up and it was nice to face him again today and win.”
Ague lost to Mayfield’s Zingale 5-1 in Friday’s quarters, but won the rematch in the consolations 3-1. The pair have developed a little rivalry in the past two years, with Ague beating his rival at the Massillon Perry district in 2008 to advance to state.
Greco (20-2) and Peterson (18-6) compete against each other in practice every day. They know each other’s weaknesses and know how to make the other better. The results so far this season have been impressive.
“I’ve never made it to the second day at Top Gun,” said Peterson, who defeated Streetsboro’s John Fraley 8-4 to take third. “I was able to prove a little bit that I’m just as good as these other guys, even though no one expected a lot out of me.
“I’ve kind of been behind Tony [Jameson] the last few years, but I like being the underdog because that makes each win even bigger.”
The fact that the two are drill partners has been key on both sides. But while they can push each other to get better, things get intense at times in the room.
“It can get violent sometimes and he’s the instigator,” joked Peterson of Greco. “But it’s nice to push each other and make each other better.”
Greco, a 2008 state qualifier, agrees that having Peterson to compete with in practice gives him an advantage each time out.
“It’s a big help,” said Greco, who pinned Riverview’s Brody Fry in the second period of the 145-pound third-place bout. “We really push each other and let each other know when they are slacking.
“This weekend really helped me know where I stand against some of the other kids in my weight class. I know a little bit about what I need to work on, so I can start peaking at sectionals and districts.”
Fitch coach Brett Powell was thrilled with the performances of his wrestlers in the finals.
“I was impressed with how well those four did tonight,” said Powell. “They really dominated their matches.”
Boardman’s Jerry Pasquale was the area’s top finisher, taking second at 119 pounds. The 2007 state placer (8th) lost a tough 3-0 finals match to undefeated Johnni DiJulius of Walsh Jesuit.
Despite the setback, the junior thought he had a successful run and one that will prepare him for what lies ahead.
“I wrestled well this weekend,” said Pasquale. “Johnni is a tough kid and I knew it was going to be a tough match. I wrestled him here in the quarters last year, so I knew his style. I just tried to stick to my plan.
“If you had told me that I’d come in here and wrestle well and make the finals, I’d have taken it in a second. With the caliber of kids here, every match could go either way.”
Brookfield sent two wrestlers to the awards stand on Saturday night. Tyler Thompson finished seventh by winning his last match at 119 pounds. Teammate Dan Miller was forced to default his last bout, but managed to earn an eighth-place finish.