Sports
Wrestling War III: Solon's Collica Takes on Carlone in Hyped Title Bout
Solon's Brandon Thompson is also wrestling for a state championship this afternoon
It happens every year at the state wrestling tournament – a match that demands attention.
So it is with tonight’s Division I 130-pound finals between Solon sophomore Anthony Collica and senior Mike Carlone of Mayfield. The two collide in the ultimate grudge match with a state title on the line. Collica bested Carlone (45-4) in the finals of the Northeast Ohio Conference Tournament while Carlone returned the favor by winning last week’s district final rematch at Mentor.
One thing is certain, Collica-Carlone III will have the crowd at Value City Arena buzzing.
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“This is the one Anthony wanted, the one they (Mayfield) wanted and the one the fans wanted,” said Comet head coach Tony DiGiovanni. “I want Anthony to go out and press the issue.”
Collica guaranteed his spot in the finals by rolling to a 7-3 decision over Alfredo Gray of Wadsworth in the semifinals. “He was in the other kid’s face the entire match,” said DiGiovanni of Collica, who takes a 44-3 overall mark into tonight’s final bout.
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Solon has another sophomore, Brandon Thompson, wrestling for the 103-pound state crown. Thompson upped his season mark to 46-2 by pinning Medina’s Ryan Hornack at the 1:54 mark of their semifinal round match. “Brandon came out strong right from the start of the match,” said DiGiovanni.
Thompson has a rematch of his own in the 103-pound finals as he will square off against David Bavery (35-7) of Massillon Perry. Thompson topped Bavery by a 3-1 count in last week’s district finals at Mentor.
Solon’s Nate Hoff came within a heartbeat of a spot in the 285-pound finals but dropped a palpitating 3-1 overtime decision to Greg Kuhar of Lakewood St. Edward in the semifinals. “It was just a great match,” said DiGiovanni. “He (Hoff) had a lot of near misses and almost won in regulation time.”
Hoff (14-2) wrestles in today’s consolation semifinals against Nick Nusekabel of Cincinnati Elder. A win in that bout puts him in the third place match.
The fifth and final session of the state tournament begins tonight at 5:30 with the Parade of Champions. The championship matches follow at 5:45 p.m.