Minutemen Youth Wrestling

By KEN LIPSHEZ, Staff Writer January 30, 2003 PLAINVILLE - Undefeated Berlin heavyweight John Russo was afforded a view from a brand new perspective. It was one he didn’t care for, one that he hopes he doesn’t see again. Late in the second period, Plainville’s Brian Wilson had Russo on his back struggling to avoid a fall. Russo dodged disaster and his close call provided him with renewed inspiration. He fired out for the final stanza and pinned Wilson on Wednesday night as the Redcoats rolled to a 45-19 win over Plainville in a key Northwest Conference match. Russo, now 25-0 with 21 falls this season, faced a foe in Wilson who was just as strong and perhaps a bit more determined, at least at the start. Russo had pinned Wilson the three previous times they met. This time, Wilson served notice. "I wrestled sloppy and he wrestled extremely hard," Russo said. "I hit a move, he countered and put me to my back. He’s been gunning for me since the first time I pinned him and he almost got me tonight." Russo chose to be on top for the final period. "I had to hang in there," he said. "When I got my chance to get on top, I took advantage of it." Russo’s victory was one of many high points for the Redcoats (15-4, 3-0), who will face a stern challenge from No. 2 RHAM next Wednesday in order to retain their NWC crown. The action began at 140 where Plainville’s Vito Barbagallo won handily as expected, but Berlin freshman Dave Fiorillo managed to avoid the pin. Barbagallo won by technical fall, 21-5, to earn five points but a pin would have given Plainville six. The Redcoats and coach Jim Day celebrated Fiorillo’s effort. "You’re going against a senior at Vito’s level and your freshman 130-pounder gets (put in the lineup) and doesn’t get pinned? That was wonderful," Day said. "In the matches where they had more experience, we would not give up. It was one of my most satisfying victories as a coach." After Nick Catalano won by major decision at 145, sophomore Jim Solek wrestled brilliantly in topping Plainville senior Paolo Acca, 3-0, at 152. Plainville’s Aaron Weinhofer came out strong against Eric McCurdy, scoring a quick takedown and a three-point nearfall. But McCurdy persevered, dominated the middle of the bout, and held on for a 13-10 decision. Nick DiSalvo won by forfeit at 171 and Berlin had a 16-5 lead. Plainville coach Sean Kelly hoped he would be in a better position at that juncture. "We needed pins and we didn’t get them," Kelly said. "In several places Berlin was on a mission to not get pinned and our kids didn’t push the issue. Berlin did a better job of getting the six (points) and avoiding the six (points)." That rang true at 189 where Dave Chapman continued his outstanding campaign for the Blue Devils (5-6, 3-1) but Matt Powell stayed off his back and yielded just three team points in a 7-1 decision. At 215, Justin Fangiullo decisioned Dave Sataline to pull Plainville within five, but Russo jacked the lead back to 11 with his stirring comeback. The Devils were in desperate need of pins but Berlin 103-pounder T.J. Farr fought hard to stay off his back against Than Tranh. Tranh was overpowering in a 14-3 major decision but once again, the Redcoats yielded just four team points where it could have well been six. "(Farr) refused to give up the fall," Day said. "He showed great heart." Berlin’s Mike Crowe scored a third-period fall against Jordan Benson to elevate the margin to 28-15. Berlin’s Chris Santerre continued the trend of avoiding the pin at 112 but New England placewinner Jesse Cavallaro celebrated his birthday with a 12-2 major decision. The Madey brothers sealed Plainville’s fate. Dan Madey (125) won by technical fall against Chad Verbitsky while brother B.J. pinned Aaron Lee in 3:26. C.J. McCormack capped a fulfilling evening for Day and the Redcoats with an overpowering effort against Mike D’Onofrio (fall in 1:42). "Consider the individuals we had out and the adjustments the team had to make and I thought we showed a lot of mental toughness," Day said. The Redcoats weathered the resignation of two wrestlers and 152-pound state placewinner Justin Giarnella was home with the flu. "We knew we wouldn’t have (Giarnella) but the kids didn’t let up, showed their focus and just keep on working hard," Day said. Kelly paid tribute to Day and his wrestlers. "You could see them over there celebrating losses because we needed six and for them it was a victory," Kelly said. "We needed pins and we didn’t get any at all." ©The Herald 2003