Three schools left wrestling in duals

February 4, 2015 at 12:06a.m.

The Valley will be represented in each of the three divisions when the OHSAA wrestling dual team tournament semifinal round gets under way today.

Austintown Fitch advanced past Green (52-14) and Copley (41-21) in Division I last week, to set up a meeting with the sub-region’ss top-ranked team, Uniontown Lake. The match begins at 6 p.m. at Massillon Perry.

“We’re expecting a heck of a match against top programs,” said Falcons coach Brett Powell.

“You practice all year for it and have several dual meets to try and prepare.

“The thing about these is you have to try and get momentum wherever you can pick it up and also stop momentum whenever they’re getting on a run.”

In the other sub-region, Massillon Perry will face Massillon Washington. Perry is the defending state champion.

In Division II, Canfield defeated Edison (54-12) and Steubenville (39-27). The Cardinals face Carrollton, the top seed, in a home match for the Warriors. The match begins at 6 p.m.

“This is something that is pretty important to our program,” said Cardinals coach Dean Conley.

“We’ve been training hard and Carrollton is very good and we’re going to have to wrestle our best if we want to win.”

Claymont faces Alliance in the other sub-region.

“We’ve had a great year and we believe the best is yet to come,” Conley said. “We’re really proud of what these kids have been able to accomplish.

“They’re ready and they’re excited.”

Girard is the top seed in its sub-region in Division III and has advanced to the regional semifinal with victories over Grand Valley (62-15) and Pymatuning Valley (42-31). The Indians face Kirtland at Rootstown High School.

Rootstown will wrestle Akron Manchester in the other sub-region.

All three championship matches begin 20 minutes following the completion of the semifinal rounds.