2008-2009 News

WRESTLING ONLY PART OF THE JOURNEY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

February 8, 2009

The wrestling team competed in the St. Alban’s Invitational and took in the sites in Washington, D.C. over the weekend.

On the mat, Coach Mike DiPiano wasn’t sure how his team would respond after limping into the tournament with four straight dual meet losses. But the Gray Bees responded with a third-place showing in the team standings.

Turtgotkh Luvsandorj won the championship at 160 pounds, while Naeem Boucher (135) and Jeff Johnson (171) each had runner-up finishes. Boucher pinned second-seeded Jonathan Carpenter of Bishop O Connell in semifinals, the same wrestler he was pinned by in last year’s National Prep Tournament.

Zach Jacobs (119), Xavier Vassell (215) and Riad Abu-Smial (Hwt.) each placed fourth, while Matt Aaron (112), Rob Ranalli (125) and Chris Dowdy (130) all came away with fifth-place finishes.

“Coming off four straight dual losses, I was not sure what to expect,” admitted DiPiano, “but these guys really stepped up and we put forth a lot of great performances this weekend. This team has come very far since the beginning of the season.”

DiPiano’s club, in between grueling rounds of wrestling, managed to visit numerous historical sites in the nation’s Capitol, including visits to the Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, Jefferson, Iwo Jima, and Einstein Memorials.

They also stopped at the National Cathedral, saw the tomb of Woodrow Wilson and spent part of the trip at the Arlington Cemetery where they saw the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The wrestlers also visited John F. Kennedy’s grave site and stood in the same exact spot where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

“We wrestled well, but more importantly the kids got to learn about some of our Nation’s history,” said DiPiano. “I really look forward to this weekend every season. It gives us a good idea of how ready we are for the stretch run and it brings the team closer being able to experience so many things together.”

— Photos by Michelle DiPiano