St. Anthony's Wrestling

    The Friars recently traveled to Oveido, Florida for the nationally recognized Brute/Zac Jarzynka Ironman Wrestling Classic VII.  The tournament featured 24 teams hailing from Florida, Missouri, Georgia, Oklahoma, Alabama, Virginia, and New York.  Despite the enormous talent pool, the Friars sent 3 wrestlers to the Finals: Junior Chris Brienza at 103 lbs, Sophmore Grant Greene at 119 lbs, and Senior Captain Nick Auriemma at 285 lbs.  In the finals Brienza, who normally wrestles at 96 lbs, was out muscled by a larger opponent and dropped a 6-1 decision.  Greene, who normally wrestles 112 lbs, defeated 2x Florida State Champion Gabe Chandler (nationally ranked at 119 lbs) during the semi finals in a thrilling 3-2 victory before dropping an 8-5 decision in the finals.  Both Brienza and Greene wrestled tough despite facing much larger opponents and the Friars biggest rival, the hometown official.  During the final match of the evening Auriemma would face some questionable calls but he remained focused and determined to capture his first tournament championship.  Auriemma did so in thrilling fashion when he recorded a takedown in overtime to secure a 3-1 decision.  What his coaches neglected to tell him was that his victory also pushed the Friars into the 4th position in the team standings.  By earning the takedown in OT, Auriemma grabbed his first career tournament victory and secured a 4th place finish for the Friars, moving them ahead of Lake Gibson, FL by 1 point, 154.5-153.5, all with one double leg takedown.  Also taking home hardware was Junior Brandon Meisner who placed 6th at 145 lbs.  Brandon dropped a tough semi finals match when we was soundly defeated by Greg Amos of Wentzville Holt, MO (Team Champions) who is currently ranked 8th in the nation.  Amos would take the 145 lbs crown in an exciting OT victory.  Senior Ricky Randazzo opened the tournament with a crushing first round loss, 7-5.  However Randazzo was determined to make his name known in the tournament and went 5-1 in his next 6 matches to earn a 5th place finish at 152 lbs.  Also dropping an opening round loss was Senior Anthony LaCalamita.  LaCalamita would win 4 of his next 5 matches to finish in 5th place at 215 lbs.
     Following the tournament the team would get a few hours sleep before rising for a 6:30 am practice.  The boys were groggy and tired but excited when practice finally ended.  They knew they would get to let loose as we celebrated New Years Eve in style at Walt Disney World.  Despite over 16 hours in the park, we were excited to finally ring in the New Year and watch an indescrible fireworks display.  A seeminginly endless trip back to the hotel, one that was more mentally challenging than some practices, would combine with a couple hours of rest before we would return home.  However the enduring nights and time spent together would enable the boys to return home a tighter, more focused team.  After leaving the 80^o  weather for 20^o  the sleepless, and now cold, wrestlers would rest for a few hours before needing  to return to school for a late night practice.  Practice was necessary as we would be travelling to New Jersey within less than 36 hours of returning home.
     The varsity team was reunited again in the wee hours of the morning as they boarded the St. Anthony's mini buses and headed to Delran, NJ.  The Friars, some of whom may have developed a slight case of insomnia, responded on the mat. 
The team sent 6 wrestlers to the Finals: Brienza (103 lbs), Greene          Grant Green tries to earn a  
                                                                                                                                        few bucks singing "New York, v
(112 lbs), Senior Kevin Gallagher (140 lbs), Meisner (145 lbs),            singing "New York, New York" for 
Randazzo (152 lbs) and Auriemma (285 lbs).  Auriemma and             capacity crowd in the Magic Kingdom
Randazzo would take home the championship.  Randazzo                   in front of Cinderella's Castle
pinned his opponent in the first period, earning his first tournament victory since capturing the League Championship as a Sophmore.  Also placing for the Friars were Sophmore Tom Penza (4th at 119 lbs), Junior Paul Kelly (4th at 130 lbs), Junior Steve Paladino (6th at 135 lbs), and Senior Captain Colin Pryor (3rd at 171 lbs).  The Friars look to ride this momentum into the final half of the season.