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"I'm optimistic," said first-year coach Dan Judd, who is replacing Rick Walsh who resigned after 17 years as wrestling coach at Xavier. "We don't have the stars we did in the past like Dave Visconti (Western New England) and Nick Ciarcia (Brown University), but we have much better depth and a good deal of intensity. I think we're a little more focused this season."
Judd said he had 50 wrestlers come out and that can only help.
"We should be able to cover all the weight classes this year," said Judd, who was an assistant for 11 years. "We weren't able to do that last year."
Judd ticked off four names as leaders. These include senior Will Healey, who should wrestle in the 130-135 pound range, senior Jack Brennan, who is Xavier's heavyweight, junior Bill Wells, who will be in the 160-171 pound range and sophomore Chris Bepke, who will wrestle at 189 pounds.
"I'm really happy we have several kids in the lightweights (103, 112 pounds)," said Judd. "We've had to scramble in that area in the past, but this year it looks like we'll be fine there."
Xavier won only a couple of meets last year and has lost three consecutive city championship meets to Middletown. Judd said he experts better things this winter.
"I think we're going to be much improved," said Judd. "But I also think we have to remember we have to wrestle in a tough league. The Southern Connecticut Conference has some very good teams and we have to go up against the likes of Derby and East Haven, both of which have great programs."
Xavier opens up at home tonight with Shelton.
VINAL TECH
Vinal is fielding its first-ever varsity wrestling team this winter and coach Kevin Laragy is ready.
"It's fair to say this is a learning curve year," said Laragy. "We hope to get better and get stronger every week. The kids are working hard and I'm very proud of the effort they're showing."
The Hawks have two seniors, heavyweight Josh Cofield and 152-pound Ricky Lavoy. The remaining 20 wrestlers are underclassmen.
"Josh and Ricky are our most experienced, most mature wrestlers," said Laragy. "But we have a number of up-and-comers whom we hope will contribute."
Laragy cited junior Kyle Kadziawskas and sophomore Antoine Lombardo as two of the most promising underclassmen.
"It's our first varsity year, so we're realistic," said Laragy. "But a lot of people have been very helpful. Wesleyan University donated a mat that we use and Middletown High coach Mark Fong has been a big help. Last year we scrimmaged against MHS several times when we were a junior varsity program and that has helped our kids."
Vinal will open its season participating in the Berlin High Invitational on December 15, then will compete in the Charter Oak Conference this season.
"We're going to spend the year trying to get ready for the Charter Oak Tournament at the end of the season and next year we hope to build on that and prepare to wrestle in the state tournament," said Laragy.
PORTLAND
Portland coach Ken Levesque is cautiously optimistic. He said he realizes with 15 wrestlers, winning a lot of meets isn't likely, but he expects to be competitive.
"We have a good, solid core of kids," said Levesque. "Of course, it's all how we match up. I also think we might be able to put a wrestler on the floor in every weight class, but it's hard to say how we'll do. I'm always optimistic, so I'm looking for a good year."
The core of the team includes senior Ryan Barber, who was 22-10 last year, junior Ron Cruz (18-6) and junior Dan Bourret (16-11). Two other key wrestlers are junior Sam Newsom and sophomore Ryan Darna.
Darna competed after the season in the Mid-Atlantic Tournament (not school-sponsored) and wrestled in a program in Pennsylvania. He's expected to make a big contribution to the Highlanders.
