Boardman wrestlers headed to state tourney

Boardman High senior Nico Graziani defeated Justin Kresevic of Solon, 5-3, to win the 160-pound championship at the Division I district wrestling tournament last Saturday.

Graziani (40-2) was the only district champion from the Valley at Mentor.

He didn’t record any pins on the weekend, but faced strong competition in what the prestigious Brakeman report said was the toughest 160-pound district in the state.

Graziani defeated Tyler Maloy of Hoover, 15-5, in the first round, then decisioned Jake Toth of Parma 9-2 in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, Graziani, rated sixth by the Brakeman Report, beat Massillon Perry’s Josh Arrendale (ranked No. 11), 4-3.

Kresevic was ranked No. 16 by Brakeman.

“Nico has become outstanding at winning close matches against tough opponents, defeating Josh Arrendale from Perry in the last five seconds of the match with a double leg takedown to get to the finals,” said Boardman coach Dom Mancini. “He controlled his finals match to win his second district championship. He is excited and ready to

bring back gold at the state tournament.”

Graziani’s teammate, Nick Mancini, was runner-up at 106 pounds and was the other area Division I wrestler to advance to Columbus.

Mancini (35-7), a junior, defeated Colin Kramer of Mentor 12-0 in the semifinals before losing to David Bavery of Massillon Perry 10-0 in the finals.

Bavery is the projected state champion by Brakeman.

“Nick wrestled an outstanding district tournament, getting two pins and a 12-0 major decision in the semifinals,” said Mancini. “He lost to a tough David Bavery from Massillon Perry in the finals, 10-0. He is ready for the state tournament and is battle-tested among the state’s elite wrestlers.”