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01/13/2018 11:00 PMThe Guilford wrestling team features an even split of veteran and rookie grapplers this winter. However, the Indians don’t see their inexperience as crutch. Instead, they are looking for their young wrestlers to learn from the returning letterman throughout the regular season and then all be ready to pounce in the postseason.
Last year, Head Coach Craig Vedrani’s team finished with a record of 19-9 for the regular season. After that, the Indians came in second place at the SCC Championship, finished third in the Class M State Championship, and then saw several athletes advance to the State Open Championship.
This season, Guilford has battled some injuries during the early phases of the campaign and currently owns an overall record of 8-3. Coach Vedrani said there’s a 50-50 draw with the experience level on his roster, but added that his athletes are doing everything a coach wants in terms of working together to improve throughout the ranks.
“Overall, our goals are to get to 20 wins, finish in the top two at SCCs, and win the Class M state title. Half of our guys are experienced right now and half are not. It’s a unique dynamic. We have kids at a high level and those just starting. We are trying to close that gap,” said Vedrani. “They are progressing daily, and it’s our goal to be at our best come tournament time. Hopefully, they are learning from mistakes and turning negatives into positives.”
Guilford’s senior class features three captains this season. Carter Cox is a four-year varsity competitor who has a record of 15-2 in the 152-pound weight class and won his brackets at the Guilford and Lawless invitational meets. Charlie Andrus is 13-0 thus far and took first place in the 182 weight class at the Guilford Invite. AJ Moscato has yet to wrestle this year due to injuries, but the 195-pounder recently began practicing.
“Carter has done a real good job and is a mentally tough kid. He grinds out matches and is solid. Charlie did tremendous work in the offseason and wrestles year-round. He had a bad taste in his mouth at the end of last year, so he’s been on a mission to do better this year and has worked his tail off,” said Coach Vedrani. “AJ started practicing, and we look forward to getting him back. He was third at states last year, and he’s showing a lot of resiliency and mental toughness. We’re excited to see what he can do.”
Other grapplers that have made an early impact for the Indians thus far this season are juniors Keldon LaRose, who is 16-2 in the 126-pound weight class and won the Lawless Invitational; along with George Sanderlin, who’s 11-7 at 132; Vinny Mascola, who’s 11-3 in the 138 division and won at both the Guilford and Lawless tourneys; Joe Santino, who has an 8-6 record at 145; and senior Christion Swan, who’s 7-3 in the 160 weight class.
As the Indians aim to gain more experience this winter, Coach Vedrani said he’s eager to see how his team will perform at full strength as Guilford works it way into the heart of the season.
“We have a huge gap we are trying to meet. We haven’t wrestled with a full squad yet, and I’m excited to get everyone on the mat,” said Vedrani. “We want to just get everyone rolling, but everyone deals with the injuries and illnesses. The guys are working hard every day, and that is all you can ask for.”
From the Sidelines
Craig Vedrani is in his 15th season at the helm of the Guilford wrestling team.
Kyle Lundberg and Anthony Mancini are serving as assistant coaches this year.
The SCC Tournament will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 9 a.m. The Class M State Championship will take place at Guilford High School on Friday, Feb. 16 and Saturday, Feb. 17.
Guilford’s first eight wins this year came against Notre Dame-West Haven (60-15), Enfield (43-42), Manchester (52-21), New Haven (69-9), Rockville (84-0), Fitch (72-6), Waterford (52-27), and Branford (49-24).