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Canfield’s Hoelzel repeats boxing title
By greg gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
Canfield’s Conner Hoelzel sure had a busy day Friday.
A sophomore who also plays football and is a member of the Cardinals’ track and field squad, he was a part of the school’s shot put relay unit who along with Dustin Brode and Garrett Zuzik set a new school record earlier in the day.
Hours later, he scored a unanimous decision over Dustin Garlock of Warren Harding as he captured the 22nd Annual K.O. Drugs H.S. Underclass cruiserweight championship at the I.T.A.M. Banquet Center.
It was his second consecutive title, having also won the middleweight crown last May.
“I started working my jab and his jab was working just as well,” Hoelzel said. “We both pretty much just went at it and both of us fought hard all three rounds.
“I throw the discus and shot put and must admit that it has been tough to juggle both sports,” Hoelzel said. “Right now, I want to return next year and probably will be back to defend my crown.”
Eleven Underclass Division and nine Upperclass Division crowns were decided. Three consolation bouts were equally entertaining to start off the program.
Te’Quan Rushton, who was named the tourney’s “Most Promising” Underclass Division boxer, went to 4-0 in the tourney and 6-1 overall, winning his second consecutive belt when he defeated stablemate Dave Kostik of Struthers by unanimous decision.
“We both go to the same gym and I really respect Dave [Kostik] as a fighter,” Rushton said.
“I was probably more nervous than anything because he always has a way of keeping you on your toes.”
Kostik, who finished 2-1 in the tourney, said: “I was just happy to advance to the title bout but really didn’t want to fight Te’Quan [Rushton],” Kostik said.
“We’re friends and we see each other train and can analyze what we are doing in given situations,” Kostik said. “I was pleased with my overall performance; disappointed to lose the title fight but I’ll be back next year with the goal of winning a belt,” Kostik said.
Kostik and Rushton are trained by Keith Burnside whose Burnside Boxing Gym produced multiple champions on the night.
“It was a bittersweet fight for me because you don’t want to see either fighter lose,” Burnside said. “I trained both fighters.
“Te’Quan [Rushton] will turn amateur now because he wants to fight in the Junior Olympics. Being 15, he has unlimited potential.”
Daitzel Moore of Girard, who lost his title bout a year ago, returned to score a split decision over Chris Ruffner of Fitch as he won the underclass middleweight title.
It has been his goal since the end of last May.
“I did a lot of running to stay in shape and it paid off for me,” Moore said.
In the Upperclass Division, Columbiana’s Mardell Halas became a three-time champ with a unanimous decision over Louis Wilson (Youngstown Early College) for the junior welterweight crown.
Pete Goranitis of Niles McKinley, who was named the Upperclass’ “Most Promising,” defeated Boardman’s Jason Egner for the junior middleweight title.
“I just kept going at him; trying to counter what he was doing,” Halas said. “I started slow but was able to get to him in the second round.
Goranitis, who was 3-1 last year, now is 7-1 overall all-time and also can boast of being a two-time champion.
“The body shots worked for me,” Goranitis said. “I just tried to move him around and then tried to push him off of me and hit him.”