Minutemen Youth Wrestling

By KEN LIPSHEZ, Staff Writer December 22, 2002 BERLIN -- The main idea is to win, but the essence of early-season tournaments is for young wrestlers to get as many bouts as possible. The Berlin High wrestling team succeeded on both accounts. C.J. McCormack, Carl Ciarcia, Justin Giarnella and John Russo took individual honors Saturday to lead the Redcoats to the team title at the Berlin Invitational. The Redcoats amassed 261 points to outdistance Ridgefield (201) and Avon (169.5). Giarnella, who defeated teammate Eric McCurdy in the 160-pound final, was named by the coaches as the tournament’s most outstanding wrestler. McCormack, returning to the mat after a year’s absence, won at 145 pounds by injury default. Ciarcia outlasted Mike Zapp of Ridgefield, 11-9, to claim the title at 152. Russo, one of the state’s top heavyweight contenders, pinned Neil Amato of Xavier in 3:01. "Winning is always the priority but having so many teams here this year enabled all our kids to get lots of matches," Berlin coach Jim Day said. "I saw the maturation throughout the day and I’m pleased with the outcome." The champions received support from seven second-place finishers and two who wrestled back to take third in the consolation bracket. Dave Tevlin (98), Mike Crowe (112), Chris Santerre (119), Dan Madey (125), Chris Laroche (130), Jim Solek (140) and Matt Powell (189) lost in the finals. B.J. Madey (135) and Dave Sataline (215) won consolation championships. Ciarcia had three first-period takedowns but turned Zapp loose each time instead of trying to turn him. Zapp closed the gap with a reversal at the end of the second period and a three-point near fall to start the third. "In my other matches I had a hard time riding kids so I figured if I was intense on my feet, I could make things happen," Ciarcia said. "I stood strong and I still won but I had to pay a little bit in the third period." Russo brings a quickness to the heavyweight division that continues to serve him well. He’s trying to find his wrestling legs after helping the Berlin football team reach the Class L playoffs. "Being quick definitely is key," said Russo, who at 250 pounds, will see many heavier foes throughout the season. "I’m not going to overpower them or move them around when I’m in close. You’ve got to circle them and get to their feet." Day was pleased with the work of his underclassmen at the lower weights. "Once they got to the finals they had a tough time but our freshmen and sophomores did a heck of a job," Day said. "Crowe, Solek, Laroche and Dan Madey got to the finals against quality competition. "I’m also pleased with Powell, who had a great semifinal match. B.J. Madey had one bad match but had a strong tournament."