Nico GRAZIANI

Nico GRAZIANI

Boardman Wrestling

Finishing off three rounds of heated action on the wrestling mat is what fuels Nico Graziani. When the referee takes his arm, lifts it up and shows it to the crowd signifying a win — that’s what Graziani lives for.

“The thrill of winning is what I’m going to miss the most,” said the Boardman senior.

His Spartan career ended in Columbus at Value City Arena for the state wrestling tournament. He picked up a win in the first day of competition, but his dream of being a state champion at the 160-pound division fell short. Still, Graziani was able to earn a place on the medal stand and take fifth place.

“You’re going up against the best of the best at the state meet,” he said. “I was glad to know that I was right there with some other amazing competitors.”

As a freshman, Graziani started at the 125-pound division before working his way up to 160. He wrestled at 152 his junior year, where he also qualified for states.

“I was one of the smaller guys at 160 pounds, so I was one of the quickest, which helped me,” Graziani said. “I just had to work hard, stay fit and lift to get bigger and stronger all four years.”

He leaves Boardman with a record of 125-29, with most of those losses coming in his first year. Graziani was named the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League MVP after winning its championship, this year, and he was a three-time sectional winner.

He has been wrestling since he was six years old, following in the footsteps of his father. Luke Graziani, his dad, won a state championship in 1985 for Columbus St. Francis DeSales. Sticking with the family ways, Nico will join Luke in the family construction business after graduation.”

“I’m really excited to take the next step,” Graziani said. “I’ve always liked to work right along with my dad because he’s taught me so much.”