Poland duo competes at state wrestling tourney

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Poland's Dante Giannetti battles eventual state champion Tyler Warner (Claymont) during the 2013 Division II state wrestling tournament last weekend in Columbus.

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Poland's Mike Audi controls opponent Mark Barrow (New Philadelphia) during last weekend's state tournament. Audi won the match 4-2 in the opening round.

For the first time in school history, the Poland wrestling team sent two Wrestlers to the state tournament at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on the Ohio State campus last weekend.

Junior Mike Audi (170 pounds) and freshman Dante Ginnetti (106) competed in their respective weight classes.

Audi had the upset of the first day (Thursday) by defeating district champion Mark Barrow (New Philadelphia) 4-2. He later lost to eventual state runner-up Wyatt Running (Clinton Massie) and crosstown rival John Poullas (Canfield).

“Last year, I was one match away from advancing to state and for the past 12 months, it has motivated me to work harder. This year, I was one match away from the podium and now I have a new motivation,” said Audi.

Despite losing both of his state matches, Gianetti will go down in the record books as Poland’s first freshman state qualifier.

“I wrestled at Middle School state last year and some big varsity tournaments this year, but nothing like this,” said Gianetti of the large crowds.

The Poland wrestling program has come a long way in three years under head coach Tony Stellato, having won the EOWL championship the past two years and qualifying two to state this season.

“We have come a long way in a short time and I can’t wait to see what next year brings.” said Stellato.