Local wrestlers compete at state in Youngstown

Hundreds of youth and junior high wrestlers from around the state will be in Youngstown the next two weekends competing in the annual OAC State Wrestling tournaments at the Covelli Centre.

Today and tomorrow, 864 Junior High wrestlers will compete in 18 weight classes from eight districts all over Ohio. Each 48-man bracket will produce one 2013 champion. Wrestling starts today at 10 a.m. with three rounds of championship wrestling and one round of consolation. On Sunday, wrestling begins at 8 a.m. with championship semis at 1:30 and finals at 5:30.

Six wrestlers will represent the Canfield Wrestling Club this weekend in the Junior High meet. Georgio Poullas (114 pounds) leads this group after placing first at the Steubenville district qualifier. Christian Wayt (74) and David Crawford (120) placed third, Sean Frisbie (84) and Braxton Madison (132) placed fourth, and Tanner English (102) finished seventh to be an alternate.

Next weekend in the Grade School event, the club will send 13 wrestlers to the mat. The lone wrestler in Division II (7-8 years old) is Landon Beidelschies. In Division III (9-10) will be Alec Herman (55), Ethan Fletcher (71), Michael Crawford (80), Santino Marucci (100) and Alexander George (90). In Division IV (11-12) are Ben Cutrer (90), Carter Myers (100), Nick Crawford (100), Anthony D’Alesio (110), Michael O’Horo (110), Nathan Whitehead (120) and Tyler Stein (130).