Fitch gives outgoing coach Powell two more wins

By Steve WILAJ

sports @vindy.com

AUSTINTOWN

It was 34 years ago, but Austintown Fitch coach Brett Powell, who is currently finishing up his last season leading the Falcons, still remembers one of his earliest coaching journeys.

After Tuesday’s dual meet with Boardman and Howland — which marked Powell’s final home match of his 30-year Fitch career — he reminisced on his trip to the 1981 state tournament during his first season in the business.

“Oh, I was just hoping that the van would make it,” said Powell, who coached with Ursuline his first four years before joining Fitch. “It didn’t have any heat, either. It was definitely a colorful ride.”

As for his 30-year ride with the Falcons that saw him coach his final home match — which Fitch won 64-9 against Howland and 48-22 against Boardman — Powell was left with “mixed feelings.”

“It’s hard when you build something up over 30 years and then you’re kind of worried about the unknown,” said Powell, who improved his career total to 261 victories. “If I didn’t have some of the health issues I had last year, I’d probably continue.

“But this is a good time for me to get out. Fitch is on a high.”

Fitch sophomore Marco Parry, who split his matches on Tuesday, said the Falcons (9-2) are focused on sending Powell out the right way.

“I know we all wrestled hard for him today,” Parry said. “It’s a shame that he’s leaving. We’re all wrestling hard and we’ve talked about it together — it’s just everybody wants to do good for coach Powell knowing that his career is coming down to an end.”

Tuesday’s meet marked the final regular-season match for all three teams before sectional tournaments.

Powell said he was impressed by Drew Fairbanks (120 pounds) and senior Jake Franks (220) — who each won two matches — as well as Parry (106).

“They wrestled hard and were inspired,” he said. “I think they picked it up and gave me everything they had tonight and that’s all a head coach could ask for.”

Boardman also earned a victory, as the Spartans (11-11) defeated Howland (1-5), 45-22. Head coach Dominic Mancini said Derek Slipkovich (120) and Brandon Rigelsky (145) wrestled well.

“Then our regular guys — Vince Mancini, Anthony Mancini and Mario Graziani — all wrestled tough,” he said. “We just need to sharpen up. I think we’re ready for sectionals, but not quite ready for districts.”