Poullas ends prep wrestling career with 176 wins

March 12, 2017 at 12:05a.m.

Canfield’s 160-pounder loses in OT

as bid for back-to-back titles denied

COLUMBUS

Georgio Poullas didn’t get that second title, but his legacy at Canfield isn’t tarnished in the slightest.

“It’s not probably — he is the best wrestler in the history of our program based on his credentials and what he’s done,” Conley said. “In 50 years, some incredible kids have come through this program. There’s a lot of kids that are looking to Georgio and want to be just like him.”

Poullas saw his perfect season — 42-0 entering Saturday’s 160-pound final — end at the hands of St. Paris Graham’s Ryan Thomas, 6-4, in overtime.

But the Canfield senior’s career is one almost any wrestler could envy.

“The best thing I can do is take this and use it as motivation when I’m in the room working,” Poullas said. “I’m going to remember this and it’s going to push me.

“What pushed me through my sophomore year to my junior year was losing in the semifinals. I used it as motivation and it helped me achieve my goals. This will help me achieve my goals in college.”

Poullas leaves Canfield with a 176-15 record and the most wins in school history. He was a four-time state placer and a champion at 152 pounds his junior season. He was ranked No. 1 in the state for two seasons and won the Ironman Tournament this season. The Ironman is one of the most demanding wrestling tournaments in the nation.

Poullas did all that by living and competing moment to moment. While it may result in some humorous moments like forgetting how many matches he needs to wrestle to win a title, it served him well. He was calm and expressionless as he shredded opponents over the course of his career.

Sparring partner David Crawford — who won a 170-pound title Saturday — credits that mentality for his own championship.

“I was a little pumped, but I kept myself calm, as Georgio said last night, ‘You have to keep yourself calm going in,’ ” Crawford said. “I did that and I was focused on attacking the whole match.”

Poullas is ready for the next moment, which will come with the wrestling team at Cleveland State.

Poullas presided over Canfield’s two team state runner-up finishes in back-to-back years. This year, Canfield scored 87 points across its six competitors. The winner was juggernaut St. Paris Graham with 232.5 points.

Poullas will turn his final match into a positive the way he could reverse opponents on the mat.

“You have to use it as motivation. Don’t go down the wrong road after this,” Poullas said. “Pick yourself up. Train harder and use it.