Eight returning champs expected in EOWL event

Staff report

NEW WATERFORD

Eight Eastern Ohio Wrestling League champions — including three-time winner David-Brian Whisler — are expected to begin defense of their titles tonight when the league’s annual tournament begins at Crestview High School.

The returning champions include Alec Schopfer (West Branch, 106 pounds), Mitch Tikkanen (Jackson-Milton, 113), Drew Fairbanks (Austintown Fitch, 120), Georgio Poullas (Canfield, 126), Daniel Hasson (Beaver Local, 138) and Mario Graziani (Boardman, 152).

Howland will have two defending champions in the tournament — Whisler at 170 pounds and Jordan Radich at 182. Whisler is trying to capture his fourth EOWL individual championship.

Whisler has signed with the University of Maryland wrestling program.

Canfield is the tournament’s defending team champion. West Branch was second and Fitch was third a year ago.

The 22-team field also includes squads from Alliance, Brookfield, Columbiana, Conneaut, Crestview, Edgewood, Girard, Grand Valley, Hubbard, Jefferson, Liberty, Poland, Pymatuning Valley, Salem and South Range.

Individual champions will be crowned in 14 weight classes.

Preliminary matches begin at 4:30 p.m. today and continues Saturday at 9 a.m.

The EOWL parade of champions is set for 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a Hall of Fame presentation at 4:45.

The tournament’s championship round is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday.