Johnston Youth Wrestling Club participates in local tournament

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The Johnston Youth Wrestling Club did more than uphold its motto of “Pride, Perseverance and Honor” on Sunday.

In fact, the well-organized club – which features youngsters ages six to 14 who compete in various age and weight classes – turned Johnston High School’s Edward L. DiSimone Gymnasium into a wrestling Mecca for some seven hours during a highly impressive tournament that attracted youth wrestling clubs from all over Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

“This is our last [USA Wrestling Tournament] regular-season event,” John Antonucci, the Johnston club’s head coach, said amid a flurry of matches that went off simultaneously inside the near jam-packed gym. “It’s a prelude for the upcoming state tournament.”

Although Johnston’s well-drilled youth wrestlers didn’t bring home any individual championships, 16 Johnston grapplers turned in impressive performances while finishing in mostly the top four of a host of weight classes ranging from 48 to 155 pounds.

Seven Johnston wrestlers, in fact, finished second, and as Antonucci – as well as the Johnston Wrestling Youth Wrestling Club’s other volunteer coaches – noted: “We are very proud of all our wrestlers.”

The Johnstonians who wrestled their way to second-place finishes were Sean Lavoie, Xander Polofsky, Santino Estrada, Joey Acciardo, Carlos Monteiro, Kyro Monteiro and Duce Addison.

Leo Beaumier and Damarien Ravenelle each placed third, while Johnston Youth Wrestlers who placed fourth in their respective weight classes were Nicholas Baccala, Jonathan Prata, Jake Sinapi, Kryssceah Ravenelle and Daryl Hurley. Kristofor Nelson and Robert Dalessio each finished fifth.

“Wrestling is a very demanding and emotional sport,” said Antonucci, who is ably assisted by dedicated and valuable volunteer coaches Roland Martino, Brett Polofsky, Carlos DosSantos, Jay Baccala, David Squillace and Brian Rooney. “It takes a lot of courage to step out there on the mat, and we’re equally as proud of each and every Johnston wrestler who does just that.”

There was another side to Sunday’s tournament that offered an inside look into how the Johnston Youth Wrestling Club has become such a close-knit group in recent years.

“Many of our former youth wrestlers who are now competing at the high school level really played a huge role in helping put on today’s tournament,” Antonucci said. “We want to thank each and everyone for volunteered their time in a number of capacities.”

Likewise, Antonucci heaped words of praise upon the team’s parents, led by Lisa Baccala, for volunteering their time to make the event successful.

“Lisa does so much work, it’s incredible,” Antonucci said. “It’s people like her and other adults who help us get the word out … to cultivate an interest in the sport of wrestling with the town’s youngsters. We are focused on developing young wrestlers with strong, basic fundamentals and preparing them for middle school and high school wrestling.”

Antonucci also thanked Johnston Schools Superintendent Dr. Bernard DiLullo, Director of Facilities David Cournoyer and Athletic Director Keith Cory “for their help with today’s tournament and continued support for our program.”

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