Wrestlers earn two EOWL championships

Photo

Boardman's Nick Mancini (facing) won the 113-pound EOWL title with an 8-0 major decision victory over Canfield's Anthony Spencer.

Photo

Photos courtesy of Audi Photography.Boardman's Nico Graziani (right) battles Max Brooke (South Range) during their 160-pound title bout at the EOWL tournament. Graziani won the match and was named tournament MVP.

The Boardman varsity wrestling team tuned up for next weekend’s sectional tournament by taking seventh overall at last weekend’s EOWL tournament at Fitch High School.

The Spartans were sparked by two individual championships by Nick Mancini (113) and Nico Graziani (160).

The overall and Division I team titles were won by Howland (229.5 points), while West Branch (225) was second overall and earned the Division II championship. Poland (77) won its first-ever EOWL championship by taking the Division III crown. Grand Valley (109) was fifth overall and first in Division IV.

This was Mancini’s third straight EOWL title, as the junior is on pace to win four straight league championships. Mancini (26-6) defeated Canfield’s Anthony Spencer in a 9-0 major decision in the finals.

“I haven’t doubted myself in many years,” he said. “You got to believe in yourself or you’re going to have trouble winning anyway.”

Graziani beat Max Brooke (South Range) in a 10-2 major decision in the 160-pound weight class. Graziani was also selected as tournament MVP, as voted on by the head coaches of all 18 participating teams.

“He’s a great leader and a great wrestler,” Mancini said. “It’s nice having someone like him doing great things. We both push each other and we’re both better because of it.”