Hohenfels’ Julian Yazzie attempts to roll his opponent, Vicenza’s Elyas Tajeddine, to his back during the Vicenza Italian Medallion Battle “Uno” wrestling tournament at Vicenza High School, Italy, January 13, 2024. Yazzie would eventually pin his opponent for the win. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
VICENZA, Italy – It’s still early, but the defending DODEA-Europe Division II wrestling champions look to be in a good shape for a repeat title.
Naples wrestlers took six of the 14 weight class titles Saturday in a seven-team meet that also included two schools from Germany and a small squad from Ankara competing this season after a long absence.
Wildcats coach Vito Vitulli said after the matches, “everything just seems to be working out right for us.”
The hosts from Vicenza won four titles but finished more than 40 points behind the Wildcats in the team standings.
Ankara wrestler Caleb Figueroa attempts to take down Kyler Mukai from Vicenza during the Vicenza Italian Medallion Battle “Uno” wrestling tournament at Vicenza High School, Italy, Jan. 13, 2024. Figueroa won the match by decision, 12-8. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
David Tarso of Naples High School attempts to turn Vicenza’s Jayden Murray during the Vicenza Italian Medallion Battle “Uno” wrestling tournament at Vicenza High School, Italy, January 13, 2024. Tarso won the match by pin. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
Naples seniors Sam Pounds and Kyson Fromm both kept their undefeated season alive as they finished first in the 150-pound and 157-pound weight classes.
Pounds, the reigning European champion, said he felt the return to competition after a three-week break was a good chance to try and perfect his moves on live opponents.
It’s one thing working on moves in practice, he said, when the opponent knows what moves are coming. But competition gives him a chance to see how much work he still needs to do.
“I enjoy wrestling against the German teams,” he said, as it allows him to see new faces and opponents he normally doesn’t see during the regular season, when most of the meets come against the same opponents from DODEA’s four schools in Italy.
Naples may have taken home most of the top spots this weekend, but in its coach’s eyes the matches were just another step toward sectionals and the European championships.
Vitulli said “if the team can keep it going,” he believes his team has a good chance at repeating. The Wildcats will get a shot at perennial European power Stuttgart next weekend, then have one more weekend against mostly Italian-based competition before hosting a sectional qualifying meet Feb. 3.
