‘Coach Joe’ Giovengo Remembered by Wrestling Family | News, Sports, Jobs

A beloved member of the Ohio Valley’s “wrestling family” was recently laid to rest after losing his brave battle with cancer.

Joseph “Coach Joe” Giovengo had a passion for youth wrestling that started at an early age and carried over until his passing earlier this month.

In 1979 Giovengo’s dad, John Thomas Giovengo, and his friend started the Benwood Bruiser Wrestling Team.

The club remained in Benwood and Marshall County for close to 30 years. About eight years ago, numbers started to fall off and the club didn’t have a place to practice, so it folded and joined the Monarch Youth Wrestling Club.

Several years ago, “Coach Joe” and long-time friend Chris Ward brought the Bruisers Youth Wrestling Club back to life. The duo had extensive backgrounds in the sport and purchased the former Benwood Firemen’s Hall, transforming it into 3,000 square feet of wrestling mats.

Personally, I had the pleasure on numerous opportunities to cross paths with “Coach Joe,” be it at Bruisers or around the local high school wrestling scene. He was always so welcoming and would always shake my hand with the grip of a former wrestler — firm and strong.

Although wrestling was his first love, “Coach Joe” was active in many youth organizations across the Ohio Valley. He was involved in the Benwood Baseball/Softball Association, Monarch Youth Wrestling, Linsly Middle School football and wrestling just to name a few.

“Joe was a fantastic role model. First and foremost, Joe was a family man,” Linsly Athletic Director B.J. Depew said. “If you were around Joe long enough you came to know his entire family who all supported youth sports.

“Joe was not only a loyal coach, but he was a loving father, husband, son and brother.”

Depew said all the work “Coach Joe” did at Linsly was voluntary.

“He loved to see kids succeed.”

“Coach Joe” was graduated from Bishop Donahue High School and received a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University.

His family includes wife, Michelle Del Re Giovengo; children, Julianna Marie, Isabella Rose, Nicola Giovani, and Romeo Joseph; brothers, Tom (Jonette), Jeff (Tiffany) and Josh (Susie) Giovengo, and many nieces and nephews.

OHSAA Postseason to Begin

Sectional tournament sites have been determined for Eastern District Division II and III wrestlers on Saturday, Feb. 26. As has been the case in recent years, D-II schools are broken down into two sites — Claymont and Steubenville high schools. D-III entrants will venture to Barnesville and Sandy Valley high schools.

In D-II, headed to Claymont, in addition to the host Mustangs, are Cambridge, Dover, John Glenn, Maysville, Minerva, New Philadelphia, Philo, River View, Tri-Valley and West Holmes. Bound for Steubenville’s Crimson Center are, in addition to Big Red, Beaver Local, Carrollton, East Liverpool, Indian Creek, Indian Valley, Meadowbrook, Morgan, St. Clairsville, Union Local and Zanesville.

In D-III, the host Shamrocks welcome Beallsville, Buckeye Local , Bridgeport, Coshocton, Edison, Fort Frye, Martins Ferry, Monroe Central, River, Shadyside, Shenandoah and West Muskingum to western Belmont County. Treking to Magnolia, Ohio, are the host Cardinals, Bellaire, Caldwell, Conotton Valley, Garaway, Harrison Central, Malvern, Newcomerstown, Ridgewood, Steubenville Catholic, Toronto and Tuscarawas Valley.

Action begins at all four sites at 10 a.m. The top four finishers punch their tickets to district action at Gallia Academy (D-II) and Heath (D-III) on March 4-5. The state tournament is set for Friday, March 11 through Sunday, March 13 inside the Jerome Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University.

Buckeye 8

The final conference tournament of the regular season unfolds Saturday inside the Potter Fieldhouse in East Liverpool as the Buckeye 8 will crown 14 individual champions. Action gets started at 10 a.m., with doors opening at 9. Tickets will be available at the door.

West Liberty

The No. 4-ranked Hilltoppers made quick work of host Wheeling, 43-3, inside the McDonough Center. It was their final dual match of the season as they prepare to defend their NCAA Division II Super Region 3 championship.

West Liberty has once again been chosen to host the Super Regional inside the ASRC on Feb. 26.

Wheeling University

Prior to Tuesday night’s loss to West Liberty, the Cardinals were winners for the first time since 2018 when they pinned Bluefield State. It was the first collegiate win for head coach Daniel Ownbey as a head coach. After having to forfeit five matches throughout the match, sophomore Clarouly Meca secured a pin in the 285-pound bout for the win.

Ohio State

No. 8 Ohio State (9-3, 5-3) finished the regular season with a 34-3 win over Indiana (3-7, 1-7) Sunday at the Covelli Center (3,571 att.). The Buckeyes will now focus on the Big Ten Championships March 5-6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Steubenville product Jashon Hubbard (157) hasn’t competed in the last two dual meets. His record is 11-5 this season.