Panthers hope tough slate sets up even better season

A year ago, the Johnston wrestling team took the jump to the state’s highest division and made itself right at home. The Panthers won the Division I-South regular-season title en route to a tie for second place at the state meet.

As the new season begins, Johnston is upping the ante again.

Head coach Matt Mancuso made a conscious effort to get his team into as many difficult tournaments and dual-meet events as possible. The hope is that another increase in competition can help a strong Panthers team become the best it can be and become a true contender for the state title.

“We did the schedule like this for a reason,” Mancuso said. “I think we’ll take some lumps against some of these teams, but come mid-season, I think we’ll hitting on all gears. I think we’ll be ready for states.”

The rough-and-tumble schedule includes the Mt. Hope Holiday Tournament, where Johnston finished sixth this past weekend, two quad meets in Massachusetts against top New England contenders, tournaments in Franklin and Methuen, Mass., a tough in-state tourney at Cumberland and the tournament Johnston is hosting in January.

It’s all designed to toughen the Panthers up, and Mancuso thinks they can handle it. The Panthers lost state runner-up and New England medalist Justin Caparco to graduation, along with state place-winner Chris Gelardi, but nearly everybody else is back in the fold. The Panthers return five state place-winners.

“We did lose some big guys but we still have a good core,” Mancuso said. “We’re young in spots, but if we stay healthy, I think we’ll develop into a good tournament team.”

The top place-winner who’s back is sophomore John Soto. He burst onto the scene last year to grab third place at 106. Senior Rich Lonardo and juniors Marc Conte and Jesse Ribezzo were all fifth-place medalists. Senior Tim Tedesco and junior Mike Caparco were state meet contenders who finished just outside the medals.

“If it all comes together and they get some confidence, they can do well,” Mancuso said.

Freshman Philip Vinaoco-Cummings is stepping into the 106-pound weight class. Senior Isaiah O’Brien returns to the lineup at 113 after qualifying for states last year. Sophomore Scott Fang and junior Cesar Mendez are in the mix at 120.

Soto is bumping to 126 after his big debut season. He took third place at the Mt. Hope tourney this past weekend.

“He’s just getting acclimated to 126, but he looks good,” Mancuso said.

Mike Caparco is slotted in at 132. He had a disappointing finish at states last year but opened this season with a second-place medal at Mt. Hope.

“He looked the best of everybody on the team,” Mancuso said.

Tedesco is moving to 138 after a strong campaign at 132 last year. He made the semifinals at Mt. Hope.

Ribezzo is jumping to 145 after his place-winning campaign at 126 last year. Rich Conte is ticketed for 152 and Lonardo is heading to 160 after his fifth-place finish at 152 last year.

Junior Derric Vigeant was stuck behind Justin Caparco last year but made waves at JV states and is set to take over at 170. He took third at the Mt. Hope tourney.

Devin Soares, who had big success last year while wrestling above his weight, is at a more natural 182 this year. Marc Conte is moving to 195 and should be a top contender for the state title.

The Panthers currently have a hole at 220, but freshman Carson Kenny has grabbed hold of the heavyweight spot.

Some injuries have kept the team from being at full strength thus far, but it all adds up to a team that can contend again.

“As late as we started, we haven’t had time to sit and talk about goals,” Mancuso said. “But some of the guys put in extra work in the summer. They know if they work hard and get some confidence, they can do well.”

Bishop Hendricken won the championship last year and returns six of its eight state place-winners. EWG, which tied Johnston for second place last year, brings back New England champions Andrew and Christian LaBrie, plus state champ Carl Neff. Mt. Hope, which beat out tough competition to win its own tourney, also shapes up as a strong team, and Cumberland is another team always near the top.

The Panthers hope to be in the mix, with their schedule pushing them as far as they can go.

“We’ll see what happens,” Mancuso said. “We took a whooping from some of the tough teams at Mt. Hope, but I think we’re wrestling better this year than we were last year when we won the South County tournament. We’ll take some lumps, but I think we’ll be ready.”

Johnston opens the dual-meet season tonight at 7 p.m. when it visits perennial powerhouse Cumberland.