Day one at Hephner tests wrestlers’ endurance

January 24, 2015 at 12:06a.m.

By Steve WILAJ

Austintown

Boardman wrestling coach Dominic Mancini certainly appreciates the top-notch competition that the Josh Hephner Memorial provides.

But there’s another aspect of the Austintown Fitch wrestling tournament — now in its 22nd year — that allows Mancini to call it his favorite.

“This is one where everybody lets their guards down a little bit and enjoys it a little more,” said the Spartans coach.

The tournament serves as a tribute to Hephner — a former Fitch wrestler who was killed in a car accident in 1993. This year’s event features 26 teams, including eight local schools, and began Friday afternoon with the first three rounds of pool competition.

“It’s a family as much as it is a tournament,” said Brett Powell, now in his 30th and final year as the Falcons coach.

“It’s usually battle mode when you walk into most places. But people here are really happy to see each other again and they also know their kids are going to compete.”

The tournament features 14 weight classes, ranging from 106 pounds to 285 pounds. Each weight class holds four pools with six wrestlers in each group.

The wrestler’s face-off with each member of their pool once. The top two from each pool then advance to their weight class’ final eight on Saturday evening.

In Friday’s first session, Fitch wrestlers Marco Parry (106), Andrew Fairbanks (120), Adam Koslik (132), Dakota Miglets (145), Adam Green (152), Kyle Varga (160) and Chris Droege (195) all picked up at least two wins.

“This is the endurance part,” Powell said of the tournament, which also serves as a final tune-up before postseason competition.

“We went to some elite tournaments and some only had two or three matches, so this is where they’re guaranteed to get some mat-time.”

Boardman’s Vince Mancini (106), Jimmy Sferra (126), Tyler Dempsey (145), Anthony Mancini (160) and Carlo DeNiro (170) all won at least two victories as well.

“It’s a lot of wrestling, so we want our guys trying a lot of different stuff,” Dominic Mancini said. “So far we’re doing real good on our feet and getting a lot of takedowns.”

Hubbard coach Scott Lewis simply wants to see his team compete. The Eagles’ Ryan Bednarik (195) won all three of his matches.

“I want them to stay aggressive and keep working hard,” Lewis said. “I know there’s a lot of good competition this weekend, but that’s how you learn.”

Other local wrestlers who picked up at least two wins were: Jackson Milton’s Mitch Tikkanen (113), Terry Stockton (120) Devin Seka (132), Tyler Jeffries (152) and Anthony Italiano (182); Poland’s Dante Ginnetti (113), Darren Goodin (126), Anthony Morucci (138), Bruno Spotleson (145), Dave Esarco (152) and Liborio Ricotilli (285); Girard’s Will Smith (106), Michael Belcik (126), Chris Morgan (138), Jake Roviscanec (160) and Ben Norman (285); Brookfield’s Gavin Miglets (113) and Zach Hackett (220); and Liberty’s Logan Weinreber (170), Pat Sturgeon (182) and Brandon Rios (220).

“This is the time where we like to see our kids peaking,” said Liberty coach Hadi A. Hadi.

The final two rounds of pool play begin today at 9 a.m. Finals will then start at 5 p.m.