Bulldog wrestlers show grit, resilience amid challenges
By Jay TurnerIt’s been a trying season for the Canton High wrestling team, but the Bulldogs continue to battle and have shown glimpses of promise, according to interim head coach Dave Delpico.
Senior Natalie Keppler (Mike Tureski photo)
Hurt by several key departures, the team has been unable to fill out a full lineup, particularly at some of the lower weight classes, and as a result they are giving up 24 points in every match. Still, Delpico said he has been encouraged by some of the team’s recent performances and has seen notable improvement from several wrestlers since the start of the season.
“It’s been a tough go thus far,” Delpico said. “But some of the kids that started as seniors this year are doing really well, in particular Robert Butler and Jayden Boiteux.”
Butler, wrestling at 285, scored another win last Friday against Taunton and is now 3-1 on the season to lead the Bulldogs. Also earning wins against the Tigers were Yurii Leskiv at 106 pounds and Mike Gunning at 152 pounds.
Canton’s top two wrestlers, seniors Dom Sica (132 lbs.) and Jack Turano (145 lbs.), have had an inconsistent start but Delpico said both have the talent to string together some victories. Senior Natalie Keppler has also been battling and even bumped up a weight class to wrestle at 145 against Taunton, holding her own through three periods and earning the team’s wrestler of the week honors.
“It’s tough being on a losing team,” acknowledged Delpico. “But they lost on Friday night and they all showed up on Saturday ready to work. They’re a great group and they all get along really well. I’m proud of their effort and I think as a team we are trending upward.”
Now 0-4 on the season, the Bulldogs will visit Foxboro tomorrow afternoon and are due to host Mansfield next Wednesday at 4 p.m. The team will then wrap up the season with matches against Stoughton (June 7), Franklin (June 10) and Sharon (June 14).
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=74786
Posted by Jay Turner
on May 27 2021. Filed under High School, Sports.
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