Sunday, February 26, 2017
By Brian Dzenis
Of the 14 area wrestlers to qualify for districts in the Division I section tournament in Kenston, Austintown Fitch senior Andrew Fairbanks (138) and junior Tyler Petry (285) were the only wrestlers to leave with a section title on Saturday.
Starting out as the No. 2 seed, Fairbanks had a first-round bye before pinning his quarterfinal and semifinal opponents in under two minutes in each match. He won his title with a technical fall victory against Twinsburg’s Chris Jones.
Petry had a bye as the top seed. Two major decision victories and a 2-1 victory against Stow-Munroe Falls’ Richard Morrocco won the title.
The Falcons’ Michael Feree (160) punched his ticket to district with an 8-6 overtime victory against Hudson’s Austin Mullen. In the finals, he was pinned by Stow-Munroe Falls’ Joey Andrassy in 4:44.Fitch had two more section finalists in Gus Sutton (120) and Brock Kimble (220). The Falcons have 10 moving on to district play.
Boardman’s Carlo DeNiro (182) is the Spartan’s all-time leader in pins after pinning his way to a finals appearance. The record now stands at 86 pins and counting.
DIVISION II
Beaver Local has 11 wrestlers —including two section champions— advancing out of Claymont. Freshman Cole McComas (106) and returning state qualifer Beau Smith (152) are the Beavers’ section champs.
DIVISION III
The two sectional champs out of the Rootstown tournament came at opposite ends of the scale. South Range’s Kyle Keenan advances to districts with a 106-pound title. Columbiana’s Tim Davin (285) won his second consectutive section title, pinning all three of his opponents.
Brookfield’s Bryce Randall (170) coasted as the top seed at Beachwood.