This past weekend, the SHS boys varsity wrestling team started to compete against other schools at team districts to go to states. The team is full of motivation to place and make SHS history!

Despite losing many seniors to last year’s graduating class, the team is doing very well and has good chance of placing both as a team and individuals. Having placed fifth in EPC’s, the team’s current record is 14-8.

“It went pretty well, winning our first match was pretty exciting,” said Senior Albin Deda, “continuing to wrestle hard we unfortunately came a little short.”

With upcoming individual districts, expectations are good, with many expected to place.

“I definitely have faith in Josh to be a district finalist,” said senior Patrick Noonan. “Lenny will win at district regions, and I want to get a district title and regional title again.”

“The obvious wrestlers would be Lenny, Pat, Josh and Mark Ortiz,” said Deda, “they’re all pretty up there- I think they all have a high chance at winning.”

The team is full of great wrestlers, but as for key wrestlers be sure to watch out for seniors Patrick Noonan and Jeffrey Pasiack, along with juniors Leonard “Lenny” Pinto and Joshua Jasionowicz.

Noonan and junior Pinto both ranked third in the state last year, while Pasiack and Jasionowicz are said to both have legitimate runs at first in states.

As for other individual successes, Pinto is near his 100-win career victory, while Noonan has recently hit that mark himself. Jasionowicz wrestled at Escape the Rock, which is the 5th hardest meet in the country,  and placed eighth.

The hardworking team believes in no such thing as an ‘off-season’. “I was competing a lot,” said Pinto. “I went to nationals, went to Virginia keeping that mindset, and treated it like it was still the season.”

“There was a high intensity energy at team districts, everybody did their best and gave their all,” said Deda, “I’m very  proud of team.”

Head coach Mr. Sean Richmond is very pleased with his team overall.

“The team came together and have a lot of pride in their team,” said Richmond. “They have never been better.”

Good luck to the boys at districts!

The 2019-2020 boys varsity wrestling roster: https://mountieathletics.org/main/teamroster/ 

For more information see: https://shsnews.org/28766/sports/the-wrestling-team-another-winning-season/