Boys' athlete of the week: Anthony Azarian, Park

By Journal Times staff

Anthony Azarian was on a mission last week. The mission was right on track until Saturday, when he just missed completing it.

The Park junior left everything on the mat Saturday in the Division 1 135-pound final match at the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Championships, but came just short of his goal of winning a state title.

In his three matches leading up to the final, Azarian did of what he had to do.

Last Thursday, he edged Jose DeLeon of Fond du Lac 4-3 in his first match, then followed with a 9-3 victory over Clint Weiler of Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln.

He had his most impressive victory of the tournament Friday to get into the final. He trailed Tom Reamer of Schofield D.C. Everest 6-2 midway through the second period, but scored five points and took a 7-6 lead going into the final period.

Azarian got an escape in the third period for an 8-6 lead and went on to a 10-8 victory.

In the final against Dustin Perry of Merrill, Azarian was the aggressor early, taking Perry down 40 seconds into the match.

Perry escaped and tied the score in the second period when Azarian inadvertently grabbed Perry's headgear for a penalty point and a 2-2 match. Perry scored six points in the third period for the victory and the state title.

Also nominated or considered for this week's honor: Jayce Apelgren, Waterford basketball; Miles Farnsworth and Josh O'Neil, Park wrestling; Joe Hand, Case wrestling; Michael Wilks, Racine Lutheran basketball.