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Tolman wrestling program rising |
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Friday, 30 January 2009 |
PAWTUCKET – In its seventh year, Tolman High’s wrestling program is becoming competitive in the R.I. Interscholastic League’s Division II-D race.
The Tigers improved to 3-1 in division action with a 45-24 victory over Lincoln on Thursday.
“We have a chance to win the division title,” assistant coach DaveVecchiarino said after the match ended. “Johnston is the best team right now and if we beat Hope and Central Falls before we wrestle Johnston, then that match could be for the divison championship.”
The Tigers have a core of veteran wrestlers led by Daniel Eerhart, Derek Cardin and Jason LaFond that is augmented by a strong group of freshmen recruited off the football team by head coach Dave Caito and Vecchiarino, an assistant grid coach in the fall.
“I recruited some of the younger football players who I feel are tough, mentally and physically, to come out for wrestling. I asked them in they were interested in getting better while competing in another sport.”
Getting in shape for wrestling is a lot different than for football, Vecchiarino said.
“The conditioning is harder,” he admitted. “The sport is more individualized, too. We can take each kid aside and work with them. They’ve all shown a lot of improvement since the season started.”
Eerhart improved his record to 14-1 with an 8-6 victory over Tim Carroll during Thursday’s match.
“Dan was a little nervous today,” Vecchiarino said. “His only loss this season is to North Providence’s Josh Manu, who was a state finalist at 171 pounds last year.”
Cardin ran his record to 10-4 with a second-period pin of Russell Croteau at 160 pounds.
Lincoln swept matches from 135 pounds through 152 and also picked up a victory at 215 pounds from Correy Saleum. The Lions forfeited four matches.
Tolman only forfeited at 140 when Lafond couldn’t wrestle due to illness.
“This is the first time in our seven years that we’ve fielded a full team,” Vecchiarino said. “We had 27 wrestlers come out for the team this year, way more than we’ve had before. I really feel like our program is getting settled in.”
The Tigers are 4-6 overall with five matches left on their schedule. They wind up the dual-meet season at home on Feb. 18 against Johnston.
Lincoln fell to 2-6 with the loss.
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Tolman 45, Lincoln 24
103 – Akeem Vicente (T) won by forfeit
112 – Sovannara Chim (T) pinned Brad Theroux 1:41
119 – No match
125 – Kevin Poirier (T) won by forfeit
130 – Xavier Luna (T) won by forfeit
135 – Dan Howard (L) def. Ricky Kachuk 13-7
140 – Gary Tingley (L) won by forfeit
145 – Jacob McCalkl (L) def. Alberto Alzate 11-2
152 – John Keegler (L) won by tech fall over Dion Rubio 18-3
160 – Derek Cardin (T) pinned Russell Croteau 3:34
171 – Jeff Gard (T) pinned Chris Hayden 3:37
189 – Dan Eerhart (T) def. Tim Carroll 8-6
215 – Corry Saleum (L) pinned Irving Garcia 4:52
285 – Claude Medina (T) won by forfeit
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 31 January 2009 )
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