Wrestlers Connolly, Alfano, Forte medal in State Tournament

The Bulldog wrestling team came home with three medalists from the MIAA Division III State Tournament held at Cohasset High School on Friday and Saturday. Senior Will Alfano placed third at the 140-pound weight class; fellow senior Kyle Forte took a fourth at the 112-pound weight class while junior Kevin Connolly came in sixth at 125 pounds.

“We qualified eight wrestlers and we were optimistic in our chances in bringing home some medals,” coach Tom Bartosek said. “This was definitely an outstanding performance for our team.”

Alfano went 4-1 with three pins, with his only loss by decision to the eventual champion.

“Will peaked at the right time,” coach Brian Caffelle said. “He lost a few matches earlier in the year that he is winning now. His ‘crab-ride’ has opened up his offense for more pins and near fall points. The hard work definitely paid off.”

Forte’s fourth-place finish was the result of pins in the first two rounds. His 3-2 record at the State Tournament solidified his record as being one of the top lightweights ever to wrestle for Canton.

Although Connolly was in a tough bracket, he wrestled tough. “It was good for him to experience states as only a junior,” coach Aaron Mann said. “We were confident that he would medal.”

Senior Donovan Lewis finished in the top eight in the state by going 2-1 on Friday. Because of an injury, however, he was unable to resume wrestling on Saturday.

“Donovan’s last match was a triple overtime pin over Hunt from Josiah Quincy HS,” coach Sean Rockwell said. “The third round is the round that determines if you place, and each match is a battle to the end. Donovan dug deep to pull out the win to place. No one is going to beat him in a close match.”

Seniors Billy Rothkopf (119) and Tyler Matt (189) had individual victories at the State Tournament.  

“We’re sad when a senior’s wrestling career is finally over,” Bartosek said. “Both Billy and Tyler had big wins at states, but the competition is really deep this year. We were fortunate to have them wrestle for us.”

Freshman Ian Mills (103) competed in his first state tournament. 

“We’re surprised at how fast Ian developed this year,” Caffelle said. “We have a deep and talented freshman class and Ian is a prime example. He had two tough matches, but he handled himself well under the pressure of such a big tournament. Ian and his brother Craig are very competitive and they don’t like to lose.  This experience will only help him when he wrestles at states in the future.”

Alfano, Forte and Connolly will be competing in the All-State tournament, which will be held at Salem High School on Friday and Saturday.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Feb 25 2010. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.