Wrestlers Graziani, Sharp fall in semis

Staff report

COLUMBUS

The Mahoning Valley will not have a state wrestling champion this year.

Boardman senior Nico Graziani and West Branch junior Connor Sharp — the only area wrestlers to advance to the semifinals — both lost championship semifinal matches on Friday’s second day of the state wrestling tournament at Value City Arena.

Wrestling at 160 pounds in Division I, Graziani lost a 3-2 decision via ultimate tie-breaker to Roy Daniels of Powell Olentangy Liberty.

“These overtime matches come down to a coin toss,” said Boardman coach Dom Mancini. “If you win the toss, you are already in a better position to come out on top.

“He has won a ton of those close matches this year. We had a tough schedule throughout the season, and that elite competition really prepared him for his run.”

Earlier Friday, Graziani defeated Brecksville-Broadview Heights’ Quinton Hiles, 5-3.

Graziani will meet Solon’s Justin Kresevic in a consolation semifinal match at 10 a.m. today. If he wins, he would wrestle either Hiles or Lakewood St. Edward’s Jacob Davis for third place at 11 a.m.

If he loses, he would wrestle for fifth place.

“Nico is a tough kid and he’s had an unbelievable career,” Mancini said. “His goal was a state championship, but he’ll come back and wrestle hard to win third place.”

The Spartans’ Nick Mancini lost both his 106-pound matches on Friday and was eliminated.

In Division II, Sharp was pinned by Travis Gusan of Columbus Walnut Ridge in 47 seconds of the 285-pound match.

“I just didn’t wrestle well,” Sharp said. “He [Gusan] came in strong and back-tripped me and then came in with an armbar.

“I will take this year’s tournament as motivation to work harder, lift harder, run harder, and wrestle harder for next year.”

Earlier, Sharp defeated Sandusky’s Mike Brown 3-2 in the championship quarterfinals.

Sharp will face Toledo Central Catholic’s Levi Pickerel in the consolation semifinals.

Howland’s Gabe Stark lost his championship quarterfinal match, then won a pair of consolation bouts. Stark will meet Max Rohskopf of Millersburg West Holmes in the consolation semifinals.

Howland’s Robby Klose (145) lost both his matches Friday and was eliminated.

In Division III, South Range’s Max Brooke (160) won all three of his consolation bracket matches and will wrestle Codie Millhone of Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley in the consolation semifinals.