Grade-school wrestlers coming to Covelli Centre

March 14, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

The Ohio Athletic Committee’s 10th annual Grade School State Wrestling Championships will return for a third consecutive year when 1,312 grapplers invade Youngstown and host Covelli Centre this weekend.

Barely a week after hosting the OAC’s junior high wrestling finals, 1,312 qualifiers will next battle for 41 state titles while 328 wrestlers will also earn All-Ohio distinction.

“Our junior high state wrestling championships last weekend were absolutely great from start to finish,” OAC executive director Jared Opfer said. “In addition to preliminary wrestling on Saturday, Tervel Dlagnev, a 2012 U.S. Olympian stopped by to sign autographs and greet wrestlers while on Sunday, Bo Jordan, Nathan Tomasello, and Dean Heil, all four-time OHSAA state champions, passed out awards and crowned the next generation of high school wrestling stars.

“The Covelli Centre was the place to be last week if you are an Ohio Wrestling fan. We expect the same this weekend with over 1,300 grade school wrestlers earning the right to compete in Youngstown. The wrestlers might be younger and smaller this weekend, but the technique and matches remain just as exciting.”

More than 2,800 wrestlers competed statewide in eight district qualifying events in order to earn the right to compete this weekend.

Wrestlers are separated into four age groups and include Division I (5-6 years old); Division II (7-8 years old); Division III (9-10 years old) and Division IV (11-12 years old).

Canfield will be represented by 13 hopefuls, including Landon Beidelschies (70 pounds), their only Division II qualifier.

Qualifying in Division III is Alec Herman (55), Ethan Fletcher (71), Michael Crawford (80), Santino Marucci (100) and Alexander George (90) while in Division IV action, Ben Cutrer (90), Carter Myers (100), Nick Crawford (100), Anthony D’Alesio (110), Michael O’Horo (110), Nathan Whitehead (120) and Tyler Stein (130) have also qualified.

Last year, Crawford placed second in Division III at 90 pounds.

“What I love about this tournament is that it is right in our backyard,” Canfield Wrestling Club coach Dave Crawford said. “The best wrestlers from all over Ohio come to Youngstown to see who really is the best while the tournament is great for Youngstown. Hotels and restaurants are packed for the two OAC tournament weekends.”

Austintown Wrestling Club will be represented by Aaron Means (Division II, 68 pounds), Colin Roberts (Division III, 68) and Brock Kimble (Division IV, 180).

Last month, Kimble captured the Ohio Youth Wrestling Association state title.

Poland will send Dominic Pagan (Division II, 75) Nathan Scheck (Division III, 85) Jared Blackburn (Division IV, 95), Jacob Blackburn (Division IV, 95) and Austin Tusinac (Division IV, 140) to the mat while Boardman’s Daniel Parker (Division I, 60) and Girard’s Drew Delgarbino (Division III, 100) are also set for action.

Four Columbiana hopefuls including Bransen Graham (Division I, 75), Cyle Burt (Division II, 45), Roclen Bettura (Division II, 75) and Cory Thurston (Division II, 85) will also compete.

Bettura was the OAC, Division I, 75-pound titlist in 2012.

Salem has three qualifiers; Caden Hart (Division III, 60) and brothers Austin (Divijsion III, 85) and Dylan Sinkovich (Division IV, 140) while South Range is represented by Christopher Colucci (Division II, 85) and Kyle Keenan (Division IV, 85).

Rounding out the area’s field are wrestlers from Youngstown, Alliance, East Liverpool, Lisbon, Ravenna, Salem, Steubenville, Toronto, Warren and Wellsville.

”Last weekend was a very successful series of events and we are looking forward to an even more successful event this weekend,” said Eric Ryan, Covelli Centre executive director and president of JAC Management Group. “We are fortunate to be able to host an event that introduces the city of Youngstown to wrestlers and their families that are traveling here from all over Ohio. It is great to see an influx of patrons in local restaurants, hotels, and businesses.”

Three championship and a consolation round will be wrestled on Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday’s action also begins at 8 a.m.

Tickets are $15 each per day; call the Covelli Centre at 330-746-5600 for more information.