Wrestling splits with USM and RWU | The Anchor Newspaper
Photo Credit: Anchor File Photo
Geoff Riccio, Anchor Sports Writer
February 6, 2012
Filed under Anchormen Wrestling, Sports
The Rhode Island College wrestling team held its last home match of the regular season last Saturday. The competition marked the first-ever wrestling match held in the new Recreation Center, as the Anchormen knocked off the University of Southern Maine, 35-11, before falling to Roger Williams, 24-16, in Pilgrim Wrestling League action.
Not only was this the last home match of the season for the Anchormen, but it was the Senior Day for three veterans on the team. The first celebrated senior was 125 lbs. star Brandon Gauthier.
Gauthier was a three-year varsity wrestler and one of the most entertaining athletes to watch. He is a two-time All-New England Wrestler, a Pilgrim League All-Star, and in 2011 he was a New England Champion, All-American and Scholar All-American. A two-year captain for the Anchormen, Gauthier was a huge part of the program.
The second celebrated senior, was Geoff Riccio. Competing at three different weight classes over his stay at RIC, Riccio was named a captain for the 2011-2012 season. Riccio is most known for his academic achievements, and his tireless video work for the program, providing highlights each year for the team and incoming recruits. A true leader, Riccio was part of the program for five seasons, having to medically red-shirt as a freshman. He is a big part of the program and will surely be missed.
The final senior celebrated was Michael Trasso. Wrestling at the 141 and 149 lbs. weight classes in his four years, Trasso quickly made his presence known becoming a Conference finalist in only his first year. Trasso was a four-year varsity wrestler for the team, becoming a two-time All-New England Wrestler and a Pilgrim League All-Star in his four years. Trasso?s dedication to the team was uncanny, and he will surely be missed.
The competition for RIC on Saturday was bittersweet, as they were set to battle two teams who had beaten RIC two weeks before at the NEWA Duals in Springfield, Massachusetts. RIC would match up against Southern Maine first, and right out of the gate would dominate them. Junior Jesse Posl-Rhinehart (184 lbs.) would start RIC off with a second period pin. Freshman Kyle Humphries would then follow with a major decision victory winning 9-1. Sophomore 285 lbs. Brian Nicoll would win in double overtime 2-1, avenging a loss at the NEWA Duals. Gauthier would get a big pin next for the Anchormen, exciting the home crowd on his big day. At 141 lbs. sophomore stud Shawn Giblin would get a big first period pin; this was Giblin?s first match since January 14th. At 157 lbs. Riccio got a big first period pin as well in front of his home crowd. The match ended with Freshman Caleb Crump winning in a major decision 20-8. It was a great way to start the day for the Anchormen.
The second match for RIC against Roger Williams did not go as well. RIC would only win five of the matches, and picked up only one major decision. Gauthier, freshman Johnny Short, Giblin, Crump, and Nicoll would all win for the Anchormen. Roger Williams, however, had three pins in the bout, and they bested RIC 16-24.
There were great things to take away from Saturday?s bout. RIC celebrated three great men who did some amazing things for the program over their careers. RIC has a lot of momentum going into the NEWA Conference Tournament, which is an only two-and-a-half weeks away. RIC?s final regular season match is a quad at Bridgewater State University on Saturday, Feb. 11.
-->Source: http://www.theanchoronline.org/sports/2012/02/06/wrestling-splits-with-usm-and-rwu/
battlefield 3 review battlefield 3 review real housewives of new jersey coraline coraline jacqueline laurita mcfadden