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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School senior wrestler Georgio Poullas was surrounded by his family and wrestling coach Dean Conley at his letter of intent signing ceremony as he formally committed to Cleveland State University and signed his NCAA national letter of intent Dec. 2.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School senior wrestler Georgio Poullas celebrated with his family at his letter of intent signing ceremony as he signed his NCAA national letter of intent as he formally committed to Cleveland State University Dec. 2. Pictured are, left to right, Barb Applegate, Tammy Poullas, Niko Poullas, Georgio Poullas, George Poullas and Athena Poullas.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School senior wrestler Georgio Poullas and Canfield High School wrestling coach Dean Conley were all smiles at Poullas’ letter of intent signing ceremony during which he formally committed to Cleveland State University and signed his NCAA national letter of intent Dec. 2.
By ABBY SLANKER
Canfield High School senior wrestler Georgio Poullas, son of George and Tammy Poullas, signed his NCAA national letter of intent as he formally committed to Cleveland State University on Dec. 2. Family, friends, classmates, teammates, faculty, staff and coaches gathered in the Canfield High School athletic foyer to witness the signing and congratulate Poullas.
Poullas is returning for his senior year at Canfield following an incredible season as a junior which culminated in his winning the OHSAA Division II 152 pound weight class state title. Already a three-year varsity letter winner with 134 career wins to his credit, Poullas garnered six first place tournament finishes last season leading up to the state championship winning performance.
Canfield High School Athletic Director Greg Cooper welcomed the large crowd.
“This is an extra special signing today and I know this is a busy time of year, so thank you to everyone for coming out. This signing is special, not only because of Georgio, but because it is the 50th year of wrestling her at Canfield High School. The last 50 years have boasted six state champions, and we have one of them sitting right here. I would like to wish you and your family congratulations on your accomplishments and as you continue your athletic career at Cleveland State University. We wish you the best of luck,” Cooper said.
Cooper then introduced Dean Conley, Canfield High School wrestling coach.
“Georgio is our first ever freshman state placer and he is on track to be a four-time state placer. He has 134 wins, which is only 11 away from the 145 win record. He is ranked 17th in the nation. All of this shows how hard he has worked and built his reputation. All of this is a team effort. It is a team effort at home and it is a team effort here,” Conley said.
Cooper then opened the floor to Poullas to address the large crowd.
“First, I’d like to thank my dad for his support all these years. And I’d like to thank my older brother for making me competitive. I’d also like to thank my mom and sister for coming to my matches and cheering, well, really screaming, for me. I’d like to thank my younger brother Niko for all his support, too. And thank you to my friends for always pushing me to be my best and for all their support. And thank you to Coach Conley for keeping me in line and always pushing me to do the right things. Thank you to Coach Pitts for spending more time with me than his wife. I am blessed to have such an incredible support system and I am looking forward to competing at the Division I level as a Viking,” Poullas said.
To end the ceremony, Poullas’ father, George, addressed the crowd.
“Georgio has had the best coaches from bottom to top here at Canfield. They know him and they care about him. You are all blessed here to have such wonderful coaches, and I encourage all you athletes to take advantage of that,” George Poullas said.