WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE CLEVELAND CHALLENGE CUP OF BOCCE
August 31, 2011
"The Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce is the best tournament in the USA, one of the best run, well-organized tournaments I play in…and I've played in Brazil, France, Italy, and Canada. I enjoy coming here with my family." Mike Lapcevich / Hermitage, PA.
Wickliffe, OH - This small,provincial town about 20 miles east of Cleveland was the site of a major sporting event this past weekend that has unfortunately, been under the radar of most of the major media and sports outlets. Yet close to 10,000 spectators were on hand over the course of the weekend to watch some of the top international teams compete at the game of Bocce in a tournament hosted by and held at the Wickliffe Italian-American Club. The 28th Annual Pat O'Brien Chevrolet Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce brought out 96 men's teams and 10 women's teams (in a separate division) to compete for over $16,000 in prize money. While many of the teams were from the Ohio and Pennsylvania areas – hotbeds of this sport that continues to grow in popularity – several teams came down from the Toronto area, Rochester, NY, Florida, and even Colorado.
Published in The News-Herald
August 27, 2011
By Angela Gartner
Mentor resident Brianne Ciasullo eyed the pallino in hopes her ball would roll close to it on the bocce court on Saturday.
Her teammates cheered when she scored a point at the 27th annual Pat O’Brien Chevrolet Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce at the Italian-American Club in Wickliffe.
Tournament organizers created a Women’s division last year and it seems to be growing.
Over 40 students from Kenston, Wickliffe, NDCL, Solon, Hudson, and West Geauga High Schools participated in the 2nd Annual CVC Bocce Tournament on Thursday, April 28th, hosted by the Wickliffe Italian-American Club. Faculty advisors Rob Segulin and Eugene Ciasullo helped recruit and coach the teams and organize the event. While not yet recognized as an official team sport, the game of bocce is starting to catch on at the high school level.
In the preliminary round, NDCL’s team came from behind to beat Kenston # 3 by a score of 13-12. Defending champion Wickliffe, then defeated West Geauga, 13-8. NDCL had to play and win one more game against Kenston # 1 to get into the championship game against Wickliffe.
The championship game saw Wickliffe jump out to an early 10-4 lead, only to have NDCL come back to tie the match at 10. From there, it was a see-saw battle with Wickliffe finally prevailing by a score of 13-11. Playing for the NDCL team were Alessio DiFranco, Anthony Giovinale, Dan Cirillo, and Nicholas Iafelice. The Wickliffe team consisted of Anthony Continenza, Vince Gimmelli, Domenic Formica, Brendan Graziano, and John Chapman.
Easter Egg Hunt
May 5, 2011
By Tom Ruffner
The Wickliffe Italian- American Club hosted an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 23, 2011. Members of the entertainment Committee filled 1200 plastic eggs with chocolate. Anticipating inclement weather, members hid the colorful eggs throughout the bocci courts. Walgreens Pharmacy donated over $400.00 of candy and prizes that was enjoyed all the children – both young and old. Parents, grandparents, all the children thanked the club for hosting this event and Walgreens for its’ generous donation.
