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PYRAMID SCHEME
Jackson-milton pits its best against wrestling’s best
NORTH JACKSON
It’s safe to say that Jackson-Milton wrestling has a pyramid of a program for 2010-2011.
At the top is defending 130-pound state champion Johnny Matacic and below him are Tim Wiseman (125) and Vinnie Pizzuto (119), while the next tier comprises Alex Tomaino (140), Tyler Collins (145), Dylan Tomaino (152) and Pat Braham (189).
Below those seven seniors is the foundation of the pyramid: Those who are laboring to learn.
Coach Dave Tomaino has a 31-man roster — his largest ever — and is taking advantage of that depth. He took selected wrestlers to the Brecksville Tournament last week, a highly-regarded event.
Pizzuto won the prestigious event, winning the 119-pound championship wiht a 7-3 decision of Jake Beemer.
Wiseman finished third at 125, and Matacic was third at 130 pounds.
Normally, Tomaino wouldn’t have his team in such a prestigious event, but it’s part of a two-year plan to put his best against the best.
“I’m taking guys who can compete at this level,” Tomaino said.
“This gave my guys something that is actually harder than our state tournament,” Tomaino said. “If a wrestler places at Brecksville, he’s likely to place at state. These guys are some of the best in Ohio and some of the best in other states.
“We needed this as a challenge to get ready,” coach Tomaino said of Brecksville.
Pizzuto was fourth in the state last year at 112, while Collins had a 20-14 record. Dylan Tomaino finished 21-13 in 2009.
Braham has been injured, so the two-year letterman won’t be back in the lineup until January.
Others showing promise are sophomore Frank Moger (130-135) and Burns Chamberlin at 145.
With such a large team, Tomaino has the luxury of splitting his wrestlers into A & B squads to give JVs and younger wrestlers opportunities to hit the mat.
“The school board was nice enough to allow us an extra coach,” Dave Tomaino said. “That allowed us to schedule some tournaments for these kids instead of having them sitting on a bench watching. Then they’ll have at least some experience before jumping into the lineup next year after our seven seniors graduate.”
Some tournaments for freshmen and sophomores are at Canfield and Waterloo as well as Jackson-Milton’s Leonard Truck & Trailer event.
Also, the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League has a JV tournament at Pymatuning Valley.
Open tournaments after the regular season allows the upcoming crop to “keep the ball rolling and keep them interested,” Tomaino said.
Pizzuto, who also placed sixth at state as a sophomore, was hurt at Brecksville last year and missed half of the 2009-2010 season.
“I’m looking to stay healthy and reach that ultimate goal of winning it all at state,” said Pizzuto, who was one point shy of making state at 103 as a freshman, when he finished sixth at districts. Pizzuto will wrestle at 125 for dual meets.
Matacic, who had a 36-6 record as a junior, wrestled at 135 in his most recent win over CVCA’s Mike Ratay, but will be at 130 for the postseason.
Wiseman jumps to 130 for duals to make room for younger teammates to compete at 125.
Matacic and Wiseman are among the “bunch of ragamuffins” whom the coach knows well.
“They’re scrappy little guys I’ve had them since some of them were kindergartners,” Tomaino said. “They’re the fence-walkers. I’ve got gray hairs from them because I spend so much time with them. They’re like my kids.”
At last winter’s state tournament in Columbus, Tomaino received an award from the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association as Div. III coach of the year.
It’s safe to say that Jackson-Milton is defined by its wrestling.
“It fits our kids well and we get lot of support from the community,” Tomaino said of the sport whose youth program includes 40-50 kids and another 20-25 at the middle school level.
“It’s a nice feeder system and we have had the same coaches for 15 or 20 years, so the continuity helps.”
Jackson-Milton’s remaining schedule includes a tri-meet with Brookfield and Poland, the Leonard meet in North Jackson, an EOWL match against Girard and Hephner Memorial in Austintown and the EOWL tournament. The Bluejays close out against Southeast.
“Then I’m ready for the time of year I love,” Tomaino said of mid-February and early March.