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Walsh Jesuit senior and three-time state wrestling champion Johnni DiJulius is SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Feb. 27-Mar. 5.
Our SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Feb. 27-Mar. 5 is Walsh Jesuit three-time state champion wrestler Johnni DiJulius.
Last week at Ohio State, DiJulius won his third straight state title at a third different weight class. He has won OHSAA championships at 119, 125, and now 130.
Asked if one title was any more memorable than another, he said, “They are all great. It is a dream to win just one, but three is pretty special.”
DiJulius compiled a 175-11 record for the Warriors and has been the state’s Outstanding Wrestler in Division II.
“Johnni is so mentally strong and that has helped him through his personal and wrestling life,” Walsh Jesuit wrestling coach Fred Daugherty said.
In 2009, not long after his first state championship, DiJulius had to cope with personal tragedy when his mother was killed in an accident.
DiJulius was very close to his mom and credits her for getting him started in wrestling.
“My mother is the one who brought me to my first wrestling practice, she introduced me to the sport, and I loved it right away,” he said.
DiJulius is headed to Ohio State University for the next leg of his academic and athletic career. He carries a 3.1 GPA at Walsh Jesuit and even though he anticipates the start of his college wrestling career he plans to fully enjoy his remaining months of high school.
“He is a different person on the mat compared to off. He is all business on the mat,” Daugherty said. “He is fun loving and does not let much bother him.”
DiJulius admits the thought of graduating from Walsh Jesuit brings mixed emotions.
“I don’t like to talk about not being here as it is sad. I wish I was a freshman again,” he said.
Johnni DiJulius
Walsh Jesuit High School
Senior
Wrestler
TV: “Friends”
Movie: “Wedding Crashers”
IPod: Eminem
Pizza: Pepperoni
Home Cooking: Spaghetti and meatballs
Class: English
Bucket List: Sky dive, did this past year!