Forever
in the shadow of his older brother Mark, a football and wrestling star
at Midview High School in the late 60’s, Tony broke into the varsity
lineup on a consistent basis his junior year. His record that year was
a respectable 16-3. The hard working six footer had all the physical
requirements to excel and entered his senior year on a mission, with
definite goals in mind. He emerged to make his own statement in the
spring of 1972. Tony became Midview’s first State Champion.
Tony won the 167-pound championship at the state
wrestling tournament held in St. John’s arena in Columbus. His coach,
Larry Rowe cites Tony’s work ethic, unusual strength, and stamina as
being the key ingredients for his success. Tony’s mental toughness and
preparation before tough matches was extraordinary. Most wrestlers are
awed at State Tournaments. Wrestling in front of 10,000 people can be
distracting, but Tony found it to be motivating.
The State Final match ended in a 5-3 victory with
his opponent on his back when time ran out. Tony’s effort at the State
Tournament place Midview eleventh in the State ahead of St. Edwards.
Tony finished the season with a 29-6-1 record. Five of the six losses
were by one point. In some instances he was moved up a weight class to
compete in the 175-pound weight class. During post season wrestling,
he won the East-West Ohio All Star meet. Tony also received a
wrestling scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, a consistent NCAA
powerhouse in wrestling.
Tony was later inducted into the Lorain County
Wrestling, Coaches and Official Association’s Hall of Fame.
Tony is a corrections officer and lives in Mt.
Gilead, Ohio with his wife Michelle and daughter, Maria and sons,
Michael, Anthony, and Louis. They have one adult son, Walter
who is married.


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