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Champion Falcons without winners
Fitch won the Hephner event, but had no individual winners in the finals.
AUSTINTOWN — Judging by the dejected look on the faces of the wrestlers from Fitch High on Saturday, it was difficult to tell they had just defended their team championship at the Joshua Hephner Memorial Tournament.
Despite losing eight of 10 contested matches in the finals and finishing with no individual champions, the Falcons still managed to hold off Federal League rival Lake to win the 16th annual event.
Fitch tallied 275.5 points to outdistance the Blue Streaks, who finished with 243 points.
Despite the lackluster finals performance, the Falcons did send 10 wrestlers to the awards podium. Jake Peterson (140), Louis Greco (145) and Chris Miller (215) earned runner-up honors in their respective weight classes.
Shawn Ague was third at 103 pounds, Jon Perkins finished fourth at 189, and Scott Satterlee (125), Dustin Welsh (135) and RJ Balog (152) each finished sixth.
Dean Moffo (160) and Bobby Phillips (285) each took seventh with wins by default in the finals.
“We wrestled a great tournament, but we wrestled flat in the finals,” said Fitch coach Brett Powell. “We upgraded the caliber of teams in the tournament and we had some stiff competition, but we won.
“I don’t like backing into championships and I can’t remember ever not winning a match in the finals or not having at least one champion, but you can’t have everything. It was a wake-up call for us and gives us some incentive in the room this week.”
Rounding out the top five teams were Monroeville (231.5), Southeast (216) and Marysville (207).
The only Valley wrestler to earn an individual championship was Jackson-Milton’s Tim Wiseman. The sophomore beat Mogadore’s Joe Bailes 10-9 in the 112-pound title match to win the championship and improve to 24-0 this season.
The Blue Jays were well represented on the podium, netting five placewinners. Vinnie Pizzuto (103) and Santino Pizzuto (119) each took runner-up honors. Johnny Matacic (125) finished fifth and Alex Tomaino (135) was fourth.
Jackson-Milton (157.5) finished eighth in the team standings.
“I just try to show up and do my best,” said Wiseman when asked about his undefeated season so far. “If I win, that’s cool, but if I lose, then at least I’ll go down fighting. I’m just trying to keep my record perfect.
“Last year I got sick and didn’t make it to the second day at this tournament, so it was good to come back this year and wrestle hard both days.”
Girard (127), which finished 13th overall, and Liberty each sent three wrestlers to the awards stand. Pacing the Indians were Tony Cardiero (third, 130 pounds), Dan Gainey (third, 135) and Nico Francis (second, 152).
The Leopards’ standouts were Jordan Wagner (eighth, 171), Quincy Harris (fifth, 189) and Randy McElroy (fourth, 285).
Hubbard’s Robbie Lias (fifth, 215) and Tanner Thompson (eighth, 112) earned top eight finishes. Brookfield’s Tyler Thompson took third place at 119 pounds.