The future of Johnston High School wrestling was on display Saturday at famed Rainone Gym, located in the village once known as “Frog City.”
It came in the form of the Johnston Youth Wrestling Association’s annual awards party, during which, as coach John Antonucci put it: “Because the wrestling season is long and the kids work hard all year, we like to recognize their excellent efforts with a party and personalized trophy.”
The event’s highlight came when JYW coaches – Roland Martino, Brett Polofsky, David Squillante, Jay Baccala and Carlos DosSantos – presented the youth wrestling group’s two most prestigious awards.
Nicholas Baccala – who like all the other Johnston wrestlers competed in-and-out of Rhode Island this past season – took home the coveted Outstanding Wrestler of the Year Award.
The prestigious Most Improved Wrestler Award went to Xander Polofsky.
“Xander is the definition of what a wrestler is; someone who works hard and never gives up,” Antonucci noted. “He entered his third season, still searching for his first victory and achieved that mark in our first tournament of the season. Through all the tough matches, Xander never stopped working, never quit and always held his head high.”
Polofsky, Antonucci and other JYW coaches also concurred: “The most enjoyable part of seeing Xander get his first victory was watching his mom Melissa tearing up with joy as his hand was raised in triumph.”
Baccala, meanwhile, the coaches reported, “showed great growth in his maturity and confidence both as a wrestler and as a person. When Nicholas first joined Johnston Youth Wrestling, he was too shy and nervous to compete in tournaments and would only come to practice.”
That all ended two years ago when Nicholas so proudly announced “I’m going to wrestle in the tournaments this year.”
And, as Antonucci said Saturday: “While he seemed to always have a look of fear on his face whether he won or lost, he never looked back. Nicholas has continued to improve every year and it all paid off during the two biggest tournaments of the year.”
Baccala, you see, finished first in the New England Youth Tournament and wound up winning the Marshwood Tournament after finishing second last time around.
“Nicholas is the first Johnston youth wrestler to ever win the New England and Marshwood Tournaments,” Antonucci exclaimed.
Baccala’s mother Lisa also took home an honor Saturday.
“A special and heartfelt big thank you to all our parents, especially Lisa Baccala,” Antonucci offered. “She is our team mom and president who keeps all of us organized.”
Among those JYW members honored at the party were: Sean Lavoie, Robert D’Alessio, Santino Estrada, Alberto Estrada, Sebastian Small, Jonathan Prata, Damarien Ravenelle, Xander Polofsky, Colby Staplins, Owen Polofsky, Brandon Macomber, Nicholas Baccala, Kryssceah Ravenelle and Adolfo Betancur.
Those wrestlers who were honored but unable to attend Saturday’s party were: Kristofor Nelson, Dillon So, Jake Sinapi, Leo Beaumier, Alex Fedorchuk, Ty Troiano, Nicholas DelVecchio, Duce Addison, Daryl Hanley, Colby Cullen, Kyro Monteiro, Carlos Monteiro, Issac Chumberlin, Logan Larangeira, Brady Larangeira, Reed Larangeira, Thomas Allen, Hayden Surette and Koda Smith.
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