Minutemen Youth Wrestling

By KEN LIPSHEZ, Staff Writer February 13, 2003 BERLIN -- Northwest Conference championships have come almost as regularly as Christmas for the Berlin High wrestling team. The Redcoats have celebrated league titles in 17 of the last 19 campaigns, but the one they put the wraps on Wednesday had special meaning. State power RHAM entered the loop this year and immediately was dubbed the favorite. When the Redcoats upset the Sachems in an emotionally charged clash last week, they clinched a tie for the title. On Wednesday, Berlin put it away. The Redcoats won nine of the 14 bouts to ease past outmanned Rocky Hill, 48-19, on Senior Night at Berlin High. Berlin coach Jim Day, who has savored each of the 17 NWC triumphs, was particularly excited about this one. "It’s been a long time since we’ve been considered the underdog," he said. "This group has been hall-marked by their overall growth and their ability to overcome some obstacles that were presented during the year. They kept a positive attitude and continued to work hard." Wrestlers relegated to junior varsity duty were asked to step in due to injury and defection. Justin Giarnella, the Redcoats’ 152-pounder, was sporting a 26-2 record when an injured left shoulder ended his season. Two other contributors chose to leave the program but the replacements have responded and are ready for the postseason, which begins Saturday with the NWC Championships at Berlin. "We’re doing it with smoke and mirrors but it still feels great," said Day, whose team finished the regular season at 23-6, 6-0 in the league. Heavyweight John Russo and lightweights T.J. Farr (103), Mike Crowe (112) and Chris Santerre (125) provided some smoke with pins. Russo, who caught Hill’s sculpted heavyweight Chaz Rhinehart with a nifty ankle pick, stuck him at 1:31. Russo is now 35-0 on the year, 29 wins coming by fall. Farr, in control from the start, pinned Roop Singh in 1:33. Crowe, the hero of the RHAM victory when he fought off an eight-point deficit to pin Scott Warren, overhelmed Derek Maloney in 33 seconds. Crowe heads into the conference meet with a 23-13 season mark. Santerre raised his record to 19-12 and his fall total to 14. Berlin 152-pounder Jim Solek’s stock continued to rise with a 12-7 overtime win over Mo Osman. Solek, a sophomore, began the season splitting his first 10 bouts but is now 22-10. "Even the more experienced kids have grown," Day said. "They’ve continued to experiment and expand their techniques. It’s been a lot of fun and I know we’ll do our best (in the postseason)." While the Terriers (13-12, 2-4) would have loved to ruin the Redcoats’ party, forfeits at the 130- , 135- and 140-pound divisions reduced that opportunity drastically. First-year coach Marco Tirillo wasn’t pleased with the overall effort but praised the work of Paul Buccheri (171), Mike Sanders (189) and Ryan Gasuk (215). Buccheri scored a major decision over Nick DiSalvo and Gasuk registered Hill’s lone pin against Dave Sataline in 2:51. Sanders eked out a 3-1 overtime decision over Matt Powell. "We have to pick up the pieces and go on," said Tirillo, who feels Hill has a chance to win the Class S tournament that begins a week from Friday. "If we don’t start picking it up we’re not going to be a team that can win the state this year." Terriers 119-pounder Tony Nguyen, defending Class S champion at that weight, recorded an 8-5 decision over Dan Madey. Nguyen is rounding into shape after an uneven campaign. "He didn’t have a very good beginning. He really wasn’t into it," Tirillo said. "He sat out due to injury and it sparked him. Watching everyone wrestle made him want to wrestle and he’s been unstoppable ever since." Loxley Walters, a placewinner for Hill last year, settled for a 13-7 win over Bryan Hackett, who earned Day’s praise for his effort. B.J. Madey, C.J. McCormack (32-3) and Nick Catalano won by forfeit. Ken Lipshez can be reached at Klipshez@newbritainherald.com or by calling (860) 225-4601, ext. 222.