Perk Valley's Giangiulio succeeds at regional

Unorthodox and deceptively strong.

That's how Perkiomen Valley coach Tim Walsh describes the wrestling style of junior Nick Giangiulio. Walsh should know. He wrestled Giangiulio every day after school last week to get him prepared for the Class AAA Southeast Regional tournament Friday and Saturday.

The practice paid off.

Giangiulio won regional gold at 152 pounds at Pottstown to qualify for next weekend's state championships in Hershey. He won a 4-2 decision in overtime of the finals against Norristown freshman Rashon Lusane, who had won his league and district titles.

Giangiulio knocked off three of the top four seeds in the regional tournament and won three of his matches in extra time. Walsh said that was a tribute to Giangiulio's resiliency.

"For him to beat the kids that he did on his way to a championship is an impressive feat," Walsh said. "Anytime a kid gets to regionals, they've done something right."

Giangiulio (36-2) entered the regional bracket unranked after placing third in districts. He was upset in districts by Boyertown freshman Gregg Harvey, who went on to win the tournament. Giangiulio wrestled back to win the consolation final.

From Monday through Thursday, Walsh and his coaching staff were busy getting Giangiulio into shape for the regional tournament after what both described as a disappointing performance at districts.

The regimen consisted mostly of live wrestling, in which coaches rotated on and off the mat with Giangiulio, who apparently got very few breaks. Walsh wanted to improve Giangiulio's conditioning after he tired late in his match with Harvey and lost in the final seconds.

"I had to go back into the room this last week and just work as hard as I possibly could," Giangiulio said. "I have to give props to the coaches for beating me up this week."

Giangiulio opened the tournament Friday with a 3-1 tiebreak decision over Wissahickon senior Dan Scheuren, who was ranked No. 2 in his class in the district by pa-wrestling.com. Giangiulio followed that by knocking off the No. 1 seed, North Penn junior Jeff Reimel, 6-4, in extra time.

Giangiulio then pinned the No. 3 seed, Avon Grove junior Caleb Edwards, in the semifinals, setting up his finals match against Lusane, the fourth seed.

Giangiulio will head to his first state championship after placing fifth at regionals last year. The top three in eight weight class advanced.

Asked what was on his mind heading to Hershey, Giangiulio had two answers.

"Anything I can do to do the best I can," Giangiulio said.

"That, and getting one of those two-pound Reese's peanut butter cups."

The results

CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

106: Jason Rinaldi, Marple Newtown, dec. Edgar Garcia, Avon Grove, 2-0. 113: Zach Fuentes, Norristown, dec. Scott Parker, Pennridge, 3-1 sudden victory. 120: Ben Ross, Pennridge, dec. Mike Marino, Garnet Valley, 4-3. 126: Colby Frank, Owen J. Roberts, dec. Josh DiSanto, Pennsbury, 6-1. 132: Francesco Fabozzi, Central Bucks East, maj. dec. Joey O'Brien, North Penn, 12-4. 138: John Dutrow, Council Rock North, maj. dec. Shane Ruhnke, Great Valley, 9-0. 145: Mike Springer, Norristown, dec. Ryan O'Connor, Neshaminy, 5-3. 152: Nick Giangiulio, Perkiomen Valley, dec. Rashon Lusane, Norristown, 4-2 sudden victory. 160: Justin Staudenmayer, Plymouth Whitemarsh, won by tech. fall over Abner Thompson, Academy Park, 16-1; 4:54.(Staudenmayer named outstanding wrestler.) 170: Dominic Rigous, Central Bucks South, dec. Joe Gartland, Penncrest, 1-0. 182: Brett Harner, Norristown, maj. dec. Gordon Bolig, Owen J. Roberts, 9-0. 195: P.J. Steinmetz, Council Rock South, pinned Marc Isaac, William Tennent, 0:54. 220: Jordan Wood, Boyertown, dec. Mike Boykin, Coatesville, 4-3. 285: Tracey Green, Methacton, dec. Andrew Van Buskirk, William Tennent, 3-1.

THIRD PLACE

106: Collyn Dorney, Quakertown, dec. Dustin Steffenino, Upper Perkiomen, 3-1. 113: Derek Gulotta, Owen J. Roberts, dec. Dan Martoccio, Council Rock South, 3-1 sudden victory. 120: Jason Bing, Pennsbury, dec. Dante Steffenino, Upper Perkiomen, 10-5. 126: Eddie Kriczky, Boyertown, dec. Evan Wilson, Central Bucks East, 3-0. 132: Wolfgang McStravick, Upper Perkiomen, pinned TJ Nelson, Downingtown East, 4:04. 138: Tyler Seislove, Quakertown, dec. Matt Pelton, Radnor, 5-4. 145: John Dambro, Garnet Valley, dec. Adam Moser, Owen J. Roberts, 4-2 sudden victory. 152: Jeff Reimel, North Penn, dec. Dan Schueren, Wissahickon, 3-0. 160: Logan Kerin, Conestoga, dec. Cody Richmond, Boyertown, 5-3. 170: Tyler McGuigan, Spring-Ford, dec. Shawn Croyle, Glen Mills, 2-1 tiebreaker. 182: Alex Price, North Penn, dec. Derek Matonti, West Chester Henderson, 7-0. 195: Karon Lucas-Tillery, Penn Wood, pinned Eli Zimmer, Lower Merion, 4:30. 220: Tyler Callender, Council Rock North, dec. Matt Bartolotta, Downingtown East, 5-2. 285: Sean Snodgrass, Downingtown East, dec. Dean Lang, Great Valley, 3-1.