Canton Bulldogs Wrestling 2008
Thanks to an outstanding turn out at camps and open mats this summer, the wrestling program looks like it is in good shape for next season. Coach Bartosek offers the following thoughts: "We could have had a few more keys guys go out there and go to camps this summer and do more work in the offseason, but there is still three and a half months to put in some serious work before the season starts. I would like to see more faces at open mats and the weight room and running to stay in shape. It's the wrestlers that put in the time in the offseason when it is hardest that have the most success in winning and placing in tournaments, Sectionals, States, and All-States during the season. When they go to camps as a team, like this team did with Harvard and Gramby, and work together lifting and running in the offseason, that's what builds teams that can win Sectionals, States and All-States. I asked the team if they want to be a 'flash in the pan' or do they want to be the beginning of something big."
The weight room is open during the week after school, check with the athletic director with questions about the schedule. Open Mats will be starting up again sometime in October, ask any of the four captains or Coach Bartosek with any questions. "I really hope the team keeps up the good work training, lifting, and running, as they have done all summer." explains Assistant coach Aaron Mann. The wrestlers who attended the Gramby System Wrestling Camp in late July were: Kyle Forte, Kevin Connolly, Will Alfano, Josh Matt, Nick Caraminas, Eric Mulford, Matt Connolly, Doug Rockwell, Tyler Matt and Rob McCarty. The camp was a big success, teaching a style of wrestling to those ten members of team, and hopefully success will follow this season. "Sometimes it gets hard to stay focused and put the time in, day in and day out when school comes around, with homework and fall sports, but it is great wrestlers and leaders on the team who figure out a way to fit it in, and it is those wrestlers who win." says Coach Mann.
Keep up the good work lifting, running, and training, and good luck to all wrestlers participating in fall sports.
New Captains:
Matt Connolly
Eric Mulford
Rob McCarty
Doug Rockwell
On Saturday, March 15, Keough and Cortizo again wrestled in a tournament, the 2008 U.S.G.W.A. New England Regional tournament.Christine Keough lost her first match in a dramatic overtime loss by one takedown, 7-5."Christie has had a great year this year and she is a completely different wrestler," Head Coach Tom Bartosek said. Keough came back with a big victory in her second match, pinning her opponent in the first period. She lost her third match to one of the toughest opponents in the whole tournament, by pin-fall late in the second period."She wrestled great today, and sometimes it is just the luck of the draw where the wrestler is seated in the tournament," said Coach Aaron Mann of Keough's performance. Wrestling at 125 pounds was Lauren Cortizo. In her first match, Cortizo had a battle where she pinned her opponent in the second period after a devastating Japanese Arm Throw. She came back for more, later in the day against one of the tougher opponents in the tournament, and ended up pinning her in the third period. "If you saw her wrestle, you would think she is a completely different wrestler from three months ago at the beginning of the season." Said coach Aaron Mann. In the championship and final match of the day for the Lady Bulldogs, Cortizo waged war on her opponent, defeating her in a great match, 7-5. Now that Cortizo is the 2007-2008 U.S.G.W.A. New England Regional Champion, she is ranked 10th in the National Tournament.
On Saturday March 8th, Christie Keough and Lauren Coritizo wrestled in the USGWA state championships. Keough, wrestling at the 112 weight class, beat her first opponent 14-2, then sealed another victory by pinning her opponent in the second period, and won yet another match 6-5 against a brutal opponent. She took second place in the whole tournament and had a great day. Lauren Cortizo started the day off great and continued all day at the tournament. Her first match was a battle with a worthy opponent, and ended up pinning her. ***NOTICE***-The opponent she faced in that match turned out to be a college girl wrestler, therefore the loss did not register against her in the tournament. She won her second match and lost a tough battle in her third match. She ended the day strong by winning her fourth and final match, sealing a gold medal, becoming the U.S.W.G.A. 125 pound Champion.
On Friday, February and Saturday, Feburary 23, Senior Captian Marc Julien and Sophomore Kyle Forte competed in the State Tournament. Wrestling at 103, Forte wrestled extremely tough in his first match, only losing 3 points, and then losing another tough match later on on Friday night. "Kyle is in a group of sophomores who are really going to help the team the next few years," head coach Tom Bartosek said. Julien, coming back to states again, wrestled fantastic all day, Friday and Saturday. He registered two pins, to get to second on the team in pins, behind Sophomore Donovan Lewis, who has 15.
On Saturday, February 9th, the Bulldogs had a great day, taking 6th place at Sectionals, even though they were missing two of their top varsity starters. Taking sixth place in his weight division, Donovan Lewis wrestled great in the first few rounds when he had to exit the tournament due to an injury suffered in one of his matches. At fifth place, Ian Hildred had a great day pinning his opponent in the fifth place match. Wil Hennessey wrestled great all day, as did Eric Mulford and Rob McCarty, who are all now alternates in States. Kyle Forte had an outstanding day of wrestling, and took third at his weight division, setting in stone his place at States, next weekend. Also wrestling at States next weekend was 112 pounder, Captian Marc Julien, who wrestled strong all day, despite an injury, taking third place as well.
February 2nd, the Bulldogs competed in the 2008 Hockomock Championship Tournament. At weight class 112, Senior Captian Marc Julien placed second after winning a great match against one of his rivals, the North Attleboro 112 pounder, but lost a tough match in the finals to Connor David of King Phillip. At 140, Junior Eric Mulford took third place, defeating a tough opponent from King Phillip, who beat him by 13 points on Wednesday. At 189 Rob McCarty took third place, defeating his opponent from King Phillip who also beat him on Wednesday. All and all, the Bulldogs had a tough day, coming in 7th in the tournament as a team, defeating King Phillip and their rivals, Stoughton.
January 30th, the Bulldogs went up against a tough opponent, King Phillip. Needless to say, the Bulldogs were considered a great underdog. The meet started at 103 with Kyle Forte, who beat his opponent, and then went to Captain Marc Julien's match. Julien lost a battle to one of the state's top competitors, ranked 3rd, Connor David, but it only cost the Bulldogs 4 team points. Also fighting hard was Freshman Kevin Connolly, who lost his match, but didn't get pinned. Ian Hildred came in with a great victory at 125. Stepping up at 130 was Junior Lauren Cortizo, who fought hard to keep from getting pinned and ended up going all 6 minutes with her opponent. At 140, Junior Eric Mulford had a tough battle, but also fought hard, sticking out the match and keeping the Bulldogs in the meet. Another victory came with Junior Matt Connolly when he beat his challenger in the third round. Back with another vicious headlock, was Sophomore Donovan Lewis sealing another Bulldogs victory. With the score being 25-19 in the Bulldogs had to have the heavyweights stay strong. Freshman Ryan Conrad really stepped up having one of the most exciting matches of the year, but just losing to his opponent by a mere 2 points, making the score 25-22. Doug Rockwell had a terrific match with a vicious opponent and also lasted three rounds with one of his toughest foes of the year and only losing by a few points. Next up was Junior Rob McCarty who lost his match by one point on a controversial call in the last seconds of the match, making the score 28-25, King Phillip. Hardy Zephrin registered the first pin of the night by either team, and Kyle Hanlon iced the victory, taking a forfiet, making the score 31-28. Not one member of the Bulldogs was pinned by their opponent. Coach Aaron Mann summed up the night when he said "Everybody, from the 103 to the 285 wrestled great and it just goes to show how good this young team can be when they pull themselves together and do it all."
On January 23, the Bulldogs were set against the up and coming Oliver Ames in a dual meet. Mark Julien improved his record to 20-3, and other winners on the night were Kyle Forte (pin) Kevin Connolly, Ian Hildred, Eric Mulford, (pin) Donovan Lewis, and Rob McCarty. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs lost the meet by one point, 37-36.
At the meet on 1/19 the Bulldogs upset Watertown 39-33 and beat Holliston 49-21 but lost to Division III powerhouse Hudson, who is ranked 25th in the state.
Triple winners for Canton were Marc Julien (19-3), Eric Mulford (7-1), Will Alfano (12-10) and Donavan Lewis (12-7). Kevin Connolly, Ryan Conrad, and Hardy Zephrin each had two victories. Kyle Forte, Ian Hildred, Will Hennessey, Matt Connolly, Doug Rockwell and Kyle Hanlon each had a victory.
January 12th at the Peckham tournament, the Bulldogs had some great individual success. Senior Captain Marc Julien took second place, as did Junior Eric Mulford, and Sophomore Kyle Forte. Taking third place at his weight class was Sophomore Donovan Lewis. Hardy Zephrin, Tyler Matt, Ian Hildred, and Matt Connolly all took fourth place.
GO BULLDOGS!!!!!!!
