Canfield earns team honors; Howland’s Whisler named MVP

February 8, 2015 at 12:10a.m.

New Waterford

The Canfield High School wrestling team entered Saturday’s EOWL finals trailing Austintown Fitch by seven points.

The Cardinals were hoping to repeat for just the second time in program history.

Howland’s David-Brian Whisler was looking to become just the fifth wrestler in league history to post four consecutive individual titles.

It turned out to be a record-setting night that neither the Cardinals nor Whisler will soon forget.

Canfield’s 216 points outdistanced the Falcons’ 205 to repeat as league champions while Whisler stopped Isiah Jackson of Austintown Fitch, 19-7 for his fourth consecutive individual crown.

Whisler was named league MVP for his efforts.

“This is one of my favorite tournaments and I just cannot believe that I am a senior,” Whisler said. “It feels like I was a freshman just yesterday.“

For the Cardinals, it was sweet vindication after dropping a 29-27 decision to Claymont at the state dual meet championships earlier in the week, costing them a trip to state as a team.

“Our kids had to regroup really fast so this is a tribute to the kids.” Canfield coach Dean Conley said. “I really think that they shook it off faster than the coaches.

“While we’re disappointed that we didn’t get a chance to go to state and represent our community as a team, repeating as league champion takes away some of that sting,” Conley said. “Going to state as a team is very special, but it’s also important to win your league as well. Sometimes, there’s more pressure to win the league.”

Other local winners were Poland’s Dante Ginnetti at 113 pounds; Andrew Fairbanks (Fitch) at 120 pounds; Dustin Martsolf (Beaver Local, 126 pounds); Georgio Poullos (Canfield, 132 pounds); C.J. Frost (Canfield, 138 pounds); Spencer Nagy (Alliance, 145 pounds); Mario Graziani (Boardman, 152 pounds); Anthony Audi (Poland, 160 pounds); Jaret Bunch (Ashtabula Edgewood, 195 pounds); and Mike Bell (Howland, 285 pounds).

Whisler, a University of Maryland recruit who will wrestle for the Terrapins next season, has broken just about every single season and career record for the Tigers.

Winning a state championship is the only thing missing from his resume and a piece of tape on his bedroom mirror that says “State Champ” is his daily reminder of an unfulfilled entry.

“The one thing that I don’t have is a state title and that is something that I would trade for all of those individual records,” Whisler said.

Along with teammate and cousin, Jordan Radich, the two have combined to win seven EOWL crowns for the Tigers.

“It’s very special to win with Jordan,” Whisler said. “He’s my cousin, best friend and training partner and with family in attendance, that’s even more special when we both win a title.”

Canfield’s Jacob Esarco pinned Jake Franks of Austintown Fitch at 2:44 of his 220-pound match while teammate Matthew Cardello posted a 7-6 decision over Boardman’s Vince Mancini in 106-pound action.

“We felt that it was our tournament to lose so to be trailing after the first day was a shock to all of us,” Esarco said. “Our goal today was to win all of our finals matches in order to win the tournament.”

In the closest final of the night, Radich scored a 3-1 decision over Salem’s Jesse Slocum.