Walsh Jesuit wrestler Johnni DiJulius isn't just back, he's better

Pat Galbincea, The Plain Dealer, December 04, 2009 11:18 p.m.

Walsh Jesuit's Johnni DiJulius, top and pictured during a 2008 match, won three bouts Friday during the first day of the Solon Comet Classic. - (Plain Dealer file)

Solon, Ohio - Even state champion wrestlers like Walsh Jesuit junior Johnni DiJulius need to keep improving if they hope to remain at the top of the podium.

Friday at the Solon Comet Wrestling Classic, DiJulius may have proven he is better than he was last year in winning the Division II state title at 119 pounds. He was a virtual machine in winning three matches.

In the team race, Oregon Clay was leading through the quarterfinal round with 721/2 points, with St. Peter Chanel (701/2), defending champion Mentor (70) and the host Comets (68) close behind.

Bill Barger, who is co-coaching at Walsh Jesuit this season with former University School coach Joe Boardwine, said DiJulius has added more moves to his offensive repertoire.

"Johnni is at another level than he was last year," Barger said. "He's got God given talent. Some of the moves he has he does on pure instinct. Nobody could teach him some of the moves he does.

"He has to watch that he doesn't lose focus in matches. That's because of problems non-wrestling related. He's still dealing with what happened to his mom."

DiJulius -- who scored an 18-1 technical fall at 3:54 over Tyler Custer of Willoughby South, then pinned Kevin Cegelka of Solon in a cradle at 3:21 and Kyle Grabowski of Twinsburg in a half-nelson at 1:42 -- agreed with Barger on all counts.

His mother Stacy died in an auto accident earlier this year in Macedonia, a story which was highly publicized.

"I actually lose focus when I cut too much weight or cut it wrong," said DiJulius, who is certified at 125 pounds. "But coach is right, I'll never be fully over what happened to mom. I miss her, but it won't affect my wrestling.

"As far as jumping to another level, it's because I went to [Elyria head coach] Erik Burnett's camp every Sunday and you get real good competition there. [Aurora two-time state champ] Ty Mitch is my best friend and we drive there together, then pound each other on the mat.

"Here at Walsh, I work out every day with [sophomore twins] Nick and Nate Skonieczny. They're two of the best drill partners you could ever have, and we get into real intense wrestling."

Don't look for the barrel roll as DiJulius' main takedown anymore. He said assistant coach Dan Hanson -- a four-time state champion at Richmond Heights -- has helped him perfect high-crotch takedowns, giving opponents even more to worry about.

Host Solon unveiled two impressive looking freshmen Friday in Brandon Thompson and Anthony Collica. Both are junior high state champions and sons of Solon assistant coaches, Mike Thompson and Mike Collica.

Thompson, whose half brother Kevin Hardy was a three-time state champ for Solon, spent only 58 seconds on the mat in his varsity debut while pinning Twinsburg freshman Kevin Killian. Collica, who pinned his way to a junior high state title, flattened Midview freshman Conrad Doehne in his first bout in 1:10.

In the quarterfinals, Collica edged Twinsburg junior Del Vinas, 2-1, with the aide of a third-period penalty point -- Vinas locked hands on the mat -- and escape in the final 11 seconds.

Wrestling resumes Saturday with consolations at 10:30 a.m. The semifinals are at noon and finals at 7 p.m.