Johnston Youth Wrestling has strong showing at regionals

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To say that Johnston Youth Wrestling is expanding its success on the state and regional mats would be an understatement.

During the March 4 Rhode Island Youth Wrestling State Championships that were held inside the 1,600-seat C. Arthur Flori Gymnasium in Coventry, three Johnston kids pinned down first-place honors while seven others figured among the top three in 10 different categories.

Four Johnston wrestlers then enhanced the town’s well-organized youth program reputation by landing honors in the highly-competitive New England Youth Tournament that was held last weekend in Andover, Massachusetts.

Nicholas Baccala, who won the state middle school 125-pound class, headed the list of Johnston wrestlers at last weekend’s regional mat championships by notching fourth place in the grueling division for kids in grades seven and eight who weighed in at 124 pounds.

“This was Nick’s fourth time placing in the New England Tournament in four years,” John Antonucci, a JYW coach, offered. “Remember, every wrestler in the regional had placed in the top three of their respective state championships in order to land a spot in last week’s high-powered tournament.”

Meanwhile, Preston Marchesseault – who captured the state 117-pound Novice Division Championship at Coventry – placed fifth in his second straight New England Tourney in the Novice Division.

Likewise, Owen Polofsky and Sean Lavoie made their first-ever appearances in the New England Tournament and as Antonucci assessed “wrestled well” considering they’d never been in a regional event prior to this season.

Johnston had a host of medalists in the state tourney including champions Baccala and the brothers Marchesseault – Preston and Joseph – who took home titles in the Novice 117 and Bantam 41-43 Weight Classes, respectively.

Robert D’Alessio was runner-up in the Novice 108-pound category, while Xavian Hopper took second in the Intermediate Division at 77 pounds.

JYW entries who placed third were Kyle Almeida, 117-pound Novice, and Gavin Polofsky, Bantam 54-57 pounds. Owen Polofsky took fourth in the Intermediate Division for wrestlers 84 pounds, while Logan Martins placed fifth at 78 pounds in the Novice Class.

“We are proud of each and every one of our Johnston wrestlers,” Lisa Baccala, the JYW’s veteran president, offered. “The kids work hard from the time the season begins until the final matches. They all represented us very well this season.”

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