Local wrestlers compete at state

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Wrestlers from Canfield who will compete in this weekend's OAC state tourney are, from left, (front) Georgio Poullas, Andy Garr, David Crawford, Kyle West, Sean Frisbie; (back) CJ Frost, David Hofsess, Jacob Esarco, David Labra and Jaret Bunch.

Hotel rooms and restaurants in the Valley will be packed for the next two weekends as wrestlers and their families from around Ohio converge on the Covelli Center for the OAC State Wrestling Championships.

This weekend will feature the best Junior High wrestlers in Ohio with action starting at 10 a.m. today and concluding with the finals tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.

Of the 864 wrestlers competing in this year’s tournament, several hail from the Valley including 10 from Canfield, three from Austintown, Poland, West Branch and Beaver Local, two from Hubbard and Brookfield, and one from Boardman and Girard.

Five 2011 state placers return this year.

Seth Hogue (Brookfield) finished third, Alex Mackell (Austintown) finished sixth. Mario Graziani (Boardman) was sixth and Canfield wrestlers CJ Frost and David Labra placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

Canfield wrestlers qualifying are Sean Frisbie (74 pounds), Andy Garr (78), Kyle West (96), David Crawford (102), Georgio Poullas (108), CJ Frost (126), David Labra (146), Jaret Bunch (154), David Hofsess (176) and Jacob Esarco (209).

Poland qualifiers are Dylan Garver (126), Trey Ellis (152) and Anthony Audi (138). Representing Boardman are Mario Graziani (114) and Danny Boerio (120). Austintown’s Adam Green (120) will also compete.

More information about the OAC can be found at www.ohioathletics.com.

Next weekend, March 17-18, more than 1,000 wrestlers sixth grade and under will compete in the OAC Grade School State Championships at the Covelli Centre. Among the many area wrestlers competing in this event, Canfield will have 13 participants.