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EGCC adds wrestling; hires Boardman coach

YOUNGSTOWN — Eastern Gateway Community College will add another sport beginning next fall with wrestling set to become their third varsity program.

Wrestling joins baseball, which began in the fall of 2017, and women’s volleyball, also set to begin this fall under the direction of head coach Joe Conroy.

Former YSU and Ohio University wrestling standout Dom Mancini, long considered one of the area’s outstanding wrestlers and scholastic head coaches during his 20-year run at Boardman High School, has been tabbed as the program’s first head coach.

“As our athletic program continues to grow, we are very excited about the addition of men’s varsity wrestling next fall,” EGCC director of athletics John Zizzo said. “Dom Mancini will lead our wrestling program as head coach, bringing a wealth of wrestling knowledge and experience to EGCC Athletics.

“During his time as head coach at Boardman High School and his involvement with area youth wrestling programs, we felt that he was a perfect fit for starting up and coaching our program, now and into the future.”

Mancini spent 20 years building the wrestling program at his alma mater, 17 as head coach, two years as co-head coach along with brother, Frank, and one season as an assistant coach.

“Dr. Jimmie Bruce, EGCC president and athletic director John Zizzo are enthusiastic and committed to building the Gators’ athletic program. I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of that building process,” Mancini added. “Along with my staff, as well wrestling leaders in the Mahoning Valley, we feel we can build a strong wrestling program because of the quality high school wrestling in both northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania.”

During Mancini’s time as Spartans head coach, he helped developed 25 state qualifiers and 15 student-athletes who placed at state.

Of their three top state qualifiers, one placed third overall, another was runner-up and Justin Powell became a state champion in his weight class in 2007.

His 2007 BHS team won the sectional, finishing 12th overall at state. Under his guidance, BHS went 11 years in a row with at least one wrestler placing at state.

A 1982 state runner-up for BHS, Mancini was a three-year starter for YSU, also earning a letter as a starter for the Ohio University Bobcats when the Penguins dropped wrestling as a varsity sport.

He was the 1984 East regional runner-up for the Penguins.

“Boardman has been a great ride, but Frank and I have always wanted to coach wrestling at the collegiate level,” Mancini stated. “Eastern Gateway is excited about expanding their athletic programs and we’re excited to be a part of that commitment.”

His brother Frank, who served as captain of the Boardman’s undefeated Spartans’ squad and won sectionals before finishing as district runner-up, will serve as associate head coach.

He was a four-year letterman and captain at YSU, finishing as Eastern regional runner-up in 1983 when he narrowly missed qualifying for the NCAA Division I tournament.

Bob Foster, a state qualifier for St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus and member of their 1971 state championship squad, will serve as assistant coach and director of recruiting for the Gators.

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