CHS Grapplers Motivated For Bounce Back Season

December 15, 2009 by Greg Lederer

Motivation is a powerful factor in athletics. Not only did the Cheshire High School wrestling team endure a 3-15 record last season, but individual standouts also came close to securing championships.
Those experiences lay the groundwork for what Cheshire hopes will be a bounce back season. The Rams graduated just senior captains Aaron Zomback and Michael Merrigan and return a strong senior class.
"We are very experienced. They have confidence for this year, so there is no learning curve," said Cheshire Head Coach Don Miller. "We also have a lot of experienced kids from the youth organization in Cheshire."
"It feels good to go out and lead the team. I want to set an example," stated Kyle Copes, a senior captain with Matt Topitzer and Jake Reid. "The first three years went by so fast." Injuries, sickness, and low numbers were responsible for Cheshire's frustration last winter. The Rams forfeited several weight classes and thus, had to rally from big deficits.
"We've been telling the guys that we lost matches by three to four points and gave up 24 points in forfeits," recalled Miller. "If we were not forfeiting weight classes, we should be competitive in any match."
Concerns have been alleviated in large part due to increased depth. Reid, along with classmates Nate St. Martin and Greg Pashtenko, are competing between 189 to 215 pounds. Reid joined the team as a sophomore and like Pashtenko, he became a fulltime starter last season.
"We have a logjam up there, but we will try to space them out. Competition makes the team better," said Miller, who felt St. Martin was deserving of the Most Improved Award. "He became very coachable last year. Nate took things from video and put them in his matches. He improved every match.”
Freshmen Joe Nowak and Steve Bergeron are newcomers at 103 pounds, while sophomores Ryan LeClerc and John O'Reilly are wrestling heavyweight. Cheshire had to forfeit heavyweight throughout last season.
"At this point, we are taking anybody. But as sophomores, I'm happy that they can grow as wrestlers," Miller explained.
The 2008-09 dual meet season didn't live up to expectations, but wrestlers individually made an impact at tournaments. Junior Jed Cervero became the first Cheshire wrestler to qualify for the State Open Finals, dropping a nail-bitter (6-4) to Danbury's Brian Jennings at 112 pounds. Copes (160 pounds) and Cervero were both Class LL runner- ups, along with winning the Woodstock Academy Tournament. Both are moving up a weight class.
A four-year starter with 96 career wins, Copes has been a consistent leader and is approaching school history. Former teammate Rob Tomlinson (2008 graduate) holds the CHS record with 127 wins.
"I want to go after it," said Copes, who produced a 31-5 record last winter.
"Kyle has been one of the best wrestlers since freshman year. He wants to get to New England (Championship) and win a state championship," said Miller. "He is able to capitalize on opponent's mistakes. He is strong and technically sound."
Titles have been within his grasp. Copes has advanced to the Southern Connecticut Conference Finals in each of the last two seasons, falling to the top seed twice. Last season was especially tough because he had to persevere through the flu and didn't have full strength during a 10-3 loss to 2009 Guilford High School graduate Kyle Lundberg.
"It was disappointing because it hurt my training for that week," Copes recalled.
Copes fell short by two points (9-7) to Class LL top seed, Southington’s Michael Monson, and he had high hopes for his second consecutive State Open. Unfortunately, a concussion held him to two matches.
"It happens. Injuries are a part of the game," said Miller. "He has responded from that experience."
"It's really important to go out and make a statement," added Copes, who is wrestling at 171 pounds.
Jennings prevented Cervero from capturing the State Open and Class LL crowns. Cervero lost by decision (6-1) in the Class LL Final, but the rematch was much tighter. The rivals battled to a 4-4 tie and overtime was necessary to determine a state champion. Jennings fired the winning takedown.
“As far as we thought, he left everything on the mat for six minutes,” said Miller.
Cervero (37-8 record) returned to the New Haven Athletic Center a week later for the New England Championship. He defeated Roberto Flores (8-2; Springfield Central) before dropping his next two matches.
“I didn’t expect to make it. I did my best,” added Cervero. “I’m going to pin my kid in the (2010 State Open) finals.”
He is similarly motivated by a bronze medal at the 2009 SCC Championship. Cervero, who has 72 wins in three years, won the 103-pound class as a freshman. He will wrestle 119-pounds this season.
“He has been wrestling non-stop since last year,” said Miller. “Jed is a threat to win every tournament he is in.”
Top competition hasn‘t been limited to Connecticut. Cervero (12th) and Sheehan High School’s Nick Giulietti (145 pounds; fifth) were top finishers during the 12th Annual National High School Coaches Association National Pre-season Championship, held Nov. 14 from Pleasant Valley High School in Pennsylvania. Giulietti and Cheshire resident Josh Morales (Notre Dame High School) didn’t find a wrestling program at their school, so they worked out a situation to practice and travel with the CHS program. They don’t score for the Rams and must wrestle exhibition matches until the post-season. After being named a State Open alternate during his freshman year, Giulietti has qualified over the two seasons.
“It’s good to see where I rank around the country,” said Giulietti, of the top 10 finish before his senior year. “I want to win the state and New England.”
CHS wrestlers consider Giulietti and Morales as part of their team. By competing in practice, many upperclassmen have gained confidence. Topitzer (160 pounds) and classmate Jason Tapp (152 pounds) are coming off their best seasons. Miller feels that juniors Scott Tomlinson (125 pounds) and Andrew Rodgers (135 pounds) are on the verge of breakout years, after starting since they were freshmen.
Sophomores Lee Hurlbert (112 pounds) and Michael Yavorek (145-152 pounds) are also competing for positions again. They both started varsity last season.
“It all depends on the kid,” said Miller, regarding the development of a wrestler. “An extra year of strength and maturity will help anybody.”
Miller credit’s the work of Cheshire Youth Wrestling. The majority of the freshmen class has come up through the youth program and gained experience before high school.
“We typically get two or three (freshmen), so this is a big class,” explained Miller. “We’ve always got quality kids. They are revamping their youth program to two to three nights a week. They come and practice after us.”
The Rams will jump right into a competitive schedule. Cheshire visits SCC powerhouse, Amity, for their season opener on Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. The home opener on Dec. 22, brings Daniel Hand (SCC Champion) with a 7 p.m. start. Xavier, the SCC runner-up, travels to Cheshire on Jan. 6.
“We are fine with it,” said Miller, of starting at Amity. “It will be a good benchmark to see where we are at.”
The SCC (Feb. 13), Class LL (Feb. 19-20), State Open (Feb. 26-27), and New England (March 5-6) Championships highlight the post-season. Cheshire cracked the SCC top 10 (ninth, 31 points) last winter.
“We have no place in my mind. We want to do as well as we can this year,” stated Miller.