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12/27/2018 11:00 PMAfter posting a pair of top-five postseason finishes last year, the Guilford wrestling team enters this season featuring a solid core of savvy veterans and promising newcomers. With a nice balance of talent around the lineup, the Indians are aspiring to perform like a well-oiled machine on the mat.
Last winter, Head Coach Craig Vedrani’s squad took fifth place at the SCC Championship and then finished in third place at Class M State Championship at Guilford High School. Thus far this year, Guilford is sporting a record of 3-1, having earned wins versus Notre Dame-West Haven, Southwick, Massachusetts, and New Haven to go with a defeat against defending Class M champion Foran. The Indians also came in fourth place as a team when they hosted the Guilford Invitational.
Coach Vedrani said that Guilford is still a work in the progress during the infancy stages of the season, but he believes the Indians have the potential to put together another great campaign.
“I am very excited about this team and where we could end up by tournament time,” said Vedrani. “It’s a very talented and special group of freshmen and great leadership from our seniors.”
Leading off the Indians’ deep roster are senior tri-captains Keldon LaRose, who wrestles in the 138-pound weight class; Vinny Mascola, who competes in the 145-pound division; and Joey Santino, who wrestles 152. LaRose recently picked up his 100th career win during Guilford’s victory over Notre Dame on Dec. 19.
All three captains had impressive seasons for Guilford last year. LaRose took first place in the 126-pound weight class at the SCC Championship, placed second in Class M, and finished sixth at the State Open on his way to a record of 39-8 that included 18 wins by pin. Mascola notched a record of 29-7 with 18 pins, earning runner-up honors in the 138-pound division at the Class M meet. Santino, who is out for the season with an injury, finished with a record of 22-9 last season.
“Keldon is a great role model and leader for his teammates,” Coach Vedrani said. “Vinny has tremendous work ethic and a motor. He has put in a lot of hours on the mat in the offseason and is primed for a big year. He leads by example and is a great motivator. Joey is a very athletic wrestler who unfortunately tore his ACL during preseason training. He is going to be a leader by supporting and coaching up his teammates from the sidelines this year.”
Senior George Sanderlin brings plenty of experience to the table for Guilford in the 138-pound weight class after winning 28 bouts, including 15 via pin, a season ago. Anthony Bomgardner, who had 20 wins last year, is a promising member of the Indians’ junior class who wrestles in the 126-pound division. Sophomore Mark Chapman, who competes at 285, is looking to following up a successful freshman season that saw him post 19 victories with seven pins.
Coach Vedrani also pointed out several up-and-coming freshmen in his lineup, including Drew Koval (106-pound weight class) Eddie Barlage (113), Jaiden Bioty (120), Brent Strand (152), and Ian Rose (220).
On Dec. 22, Guilford earned a 42-12 victory against Southwick, Massachusetts. Barlage pinned his opponent in 29 seconds to win his bout in the 113-pound weight class for the Indians, who also received victories from Bomgardner (126, pin at 0:22), LaRose (132, pin at 1:15), freshman Chris Murphy (132, via forfeit), sophomore Aiden Ghiroli (170, pin at 5:10), Rose (220, by forfeit), and sophomore Vincent Masotti (285, via forfeit).
Four days later, the Indians improved to 3-1 by defeating New Haven 69-12 in a home meet. Koval, Barlage, Bioty, Sanderlin, Mascola, sophomore Ryan Serpis (182), and Rose all received wins via forfeit for Guilford. Bombgardner (pin at 1:43), LaRose (pin at 2:51), freshman Brent Strand (152, 11-5 decision), sophomore Henry Russell (170, pin at 2:18), and Masotti (pin at 0:28) were also victorious on the evening.
Coach Vedrani said that Guilford is aiming for 20 victories, along with top-three finishes at both the SCC and Class M State championships this season. The Indians will strive toward those targets while traversing a formidable schedule in their effort to get battle-tested for the big stage. While Guilford still has to do some fine-tuning, Vedrani feels confident that his team is on the fast track to be a contender at the end once again.
“We have an extremely young team that I’m excited to see grow throughout the season, with a few guys primed to compete for a state title,” said Coach Vedrani. “We have a lot to work on, but I have confidence in this group, because they are hungry and have been working extremely hard, doing all the little things right. We expect to be right in the mix come the SCC and Class M meets.”
• This is Craig Vedrani’s 16th year as head coach of the Guilford wrestling team.
• The Indians’ assistant coaches are Anthony Mancini, who is in his third season with the program; Jeff Sullivan, who is in his first year with the Indians.
• Guilford finished with a regular-season record of 17-11 last year.