43
Boardman qualifies three wrestlers to state
John Dillon (119 pounds) and Nico Graziani (152) won Division I district championships last weekend to earn berths at this weekend’s state tournament at The Ohio State University.
The duo earned titles at the Mentor district last Saturday night and made the trip to Columbus, along with teammate Nick Mancini (103), who took fourth to advance.
The state tournament began Thursday and continued on Friday. The finals will be contested today at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.
“John [Dillon] is primed to win a state championship this weekend,” said Boardman coach Dom Mancini, after districts. “I have never seen him more ready and he is wrestling solid in every position. At this point, I would be surprised if he didn’t win it.”
Dillon is a two-time state placer, having finished third in 2009 and fourth in 2010.
This will Graziani’s first trip to state. The junior has won the last three tournaments he’s competed in — EOWL, sectionals and districts.
“Nico has really picked it up in the postseason,” said Mancini, after Graziani decisioned Maple Heights’ Richard Robertson 4-3 to win the district crown. “It’s hard to predict where he will finish, because he has been improving so much — the sky is the limit for him.”
Mancini is excited about all his state qualifiers, but has a soft spot for one of them — his son, Nick. The junior finished fourth at districts to clinch a state berth and will have his dad in his corner in Columbus.
“It’s real special to have Nick make it the state tournament because he is a kid that wakes up every day and plays by the rules,” said Dom. “He has the additional pressure of being the head coach’s son and he handles it in a mature manner. I wouldn’t count him out of any match.”