The old adage “it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish” is indeed rather appropriate for the Nicholas A. Ferri Middle School wrestling program.
Coach Dan Casey’s crew, by way of back-to-back victories vs. Davisville (57-27) and Wickford (72-12), completed the dual meet season with an impressive 7-4 record.
Now, as Casey explained Tuesday: “We are prepping for the Varsity State Tournament on Feb. 10-11 and we are really happy that our team finished another successful dual season.”
Moreover, as the Jaguars coach related: “We have some serious contenders who cold make a deep run in the state tournament.”
Among the names Casey offered are Jaguars Joey Acciardo, Dylan Martins, Nicholas Baccala and Alex Morin, who he said will lead a Ferri’s team comprised of 10 wrestlers who’ll compete for top honors in their respective weight classes during the always-colorful state tournament.
Ferri wrestlers also shined in the Future State Tournament that was held last weekend and the Jaguars entries all made what Casey called “strong and solid showings.”
Carlos Monteiro won the championship, while Joseph Forte and Sam McClellan both placed as runners-up. Koda Smith wrestled to a third-place finish, while Joseph Castellone and Mario Pi each placed fourth. Xander Polosky landed a sixth-place finish and Alex Kruschev took home seventh.
“All in all, Ferri wresting is making great strides,” Casey related. “The kids’ hard work on and off the mat is starting to show.”
So much so, in fact, that the sport of wrestling is growing in popularity at Ferri Middle School.
“We finished with 30 members on this year’s team,” Casey offered. “It’s a testament to the younger wrestlers that often times don’t get the opportunity to wrestle in dual meets, as there are only a handful of teams in the state that put teams of six on the mat. It’s great to have this many student-athletes involved in extra-curricular activities at the school.”
Casey, who continues to work and build the Ferri wrestling program with Coach Mario Nasisi, wanted it known: “It is our hope that they stay involved in activities year-round, which not only helps them on the mat, but often times in the classroom. After the Ferri season ends, many of our wrestlers will take a week or two off to rest and recover and join clubs throughout the state.”
The Ferri coach said many of the Jaguars will join Johnston USA Wrestling that is open to all ages. He concluded: “Our philosophy is that summer wrestlers make winter champions.”
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