Johnston Youth Wrestling Association caps impressive season

BRIGHT FUTURES: The Johnston youth wrestlers in the front row are: Damarien Ravenelle, Nicholas Baccala, Adolfo Betancur and Sean Lavoie. Second row: Nicholas Benoit, Gavin Polofsky, Gian Tortolani, Xander Polofsky, Kryssceah Ravenelle and Zachary Berardis. Third row: Sebastian Small, Owen Polofsky, Gianni Brunelle and Logan Martins.

(Submitted photo)

Johnston Sun Rise · Friday, May 6, 2016 1:27 pm

By Pete Fontaine

Lisa Baccala, who serves as president of the Johnston Youth Wrestling Association, was standing inside ageless Rainone Gym the other day with a wide smile on her face awaiting the start of the well-organized program’s annual end-of-the-year party.

Like Head Coach John Antonucci, Baccala chatted with parents about the many successes their children enjoyed during the recently completed season.

But Johnston’s 2015-16 mat campaign was no ordinary season.

“This season was one for the books,” Baccala exclaimed. “Our small club had an outstanding showing in many of their tournaments our wrestlers competed in during the season.”

All of which, proud parents and the group’s outstanding coaching staff will tell you, paints a bright picture for Johnston High School’s future wrestling program.

Perhaps the main reason why Johnston enjoyed near unmatched success this season was, as Baccala emphasized: “Our wrestlers could not be successful without the dedication and hard work of our coaches. The season is long and demanding, yet, these coaches donate countless hours of their time for the love of the sport.”

Moreover, as Baccala said she wanted it known: “These coaches instill many of the values that wrestling encompasses. And, our parents also deserve a big thank you for being involved with our club; Johnston wrestling is like one big family. However, without our parents there, would be no wrestlers.”

Overall, the Johnston youth wrestlers won eight first-place medals in the Rhode Island State Youth Tournament to go along with two second-place and two fourth-place finishes.

Two Johnston wrestlers – Adolfo Betancur and Nicholas Baccala – qualified for the prestigious New England Tournament and enjoyed more success. Betancur, in fact, won the 195-pound championship, while Baccala placed fourth in the 97-pound bracket that had 23 entries.

At the recent awards presentation, Betancur was honored as Johnston’s Co-Outstanding Wrestler of the Year and finished the season undefeated with, as noted, a state tourney triumph and victory in the Marshwood Tournament.

Sean Lavoie, who Baccala said was “unstoppable in the Marshwood Tournament (in Maine) and really dominated the competition,” was honored as the Johnston organization’s Co-Outstanding Wrestler of the Year. He was only 1-2 in that event a year ago.

Likewise, Baccala finished second in the Marshwood Tournament and has wrestled well in all three years in the highly competitive Maine event.

Damarien Ravenelle was named the Johnston Youth Wrestling Association’s Most Improved Wrestler of the Year.

“Damarien took a big step up with his competitive wrestling this season,” Baccala said. “He finished the season with a state championship and a third-place finish at Marshwood.”

Members of the Johnston Youth Wrestling Association, who were recognized with personalized awards, are: Kyle Almeida, Nicholas Baccala, Nicholas Benoit, Zachary Berardis, Adolfo Betancur, Gianni Brunelle, Robert D’Alessio, Alex Federchuk, Max Holroyd, Lorenzo Giaccarini, Logan Larageira, Reed Larageira, Sean Lavoie, Anthony Macari, Logan Martins, Owen Polofsky, Xander Polofsky, Damarian Ravenelle, Kryssceah Ravenelle, Avani Rodrigues, Anthony Salisbury, Anthony Scivola, Hayden Surette, Michael Soulliere, Paul Souza, Gian Tortolani and Ty Troiano.

The highly respected Johnston coaching staff consisted of Antonucci, Roland Martino, Brett Polofsky, Paul Berardis, David Squillace, Jay Baccala and Carlos Dos Santos.