Warriors excited to have wrestling program back
CENTRAL FALLS – There was a different feel to Central Falls High’s Division II season opener against Middletown at the Warriors’ gym on Wednesday night.
First, head coach Eugene Monteiro’s bunch wore fresh, state-of-the art uniforms prior to the competition, but – most importantly – it wasn’t preparing to perform as part of an affiliated contingent with nearby schools Tolman and Shea.
For the first time ever last winter, the Warriors didn’t have a choice but to merge with the Tigers’ program, as numbers were down. Thus the start of the short-lived Tolman/Shea/Central Falls’ Co-op squad.
“I think we only had four wrestlers, and Tolman was down in numbers, too,” Athletic Director Anthony Ficocelli stated before the match, one easily captured by the Islanders, 53-12. “Shea didn’t have any (grapplers) at all. I was talking to Eugene before the season, and I asked him what he thought about co-oping with Tolman and Shea.
“I knew he had a lot of kids with his (Providence County Wrestling Club’s) youth program, so he’d be familiar with most of them in the area,” he added. “Then I called (Tolman AD) Frank Laliberte and (Shea AD) Kate Corry, and Frank told me he was low. Kate said they didn’t have a team but would ask around to see if anybody was interested.
“We decided to do it, and sent the Interscholastic League the necessary paperwork. After last season, with Eugene knowing we’d be up in numbers this year, we figured we’d our separate ways would be better.”
Ficocelli, also the school’s assistant football coach, tried to entice some members of the Central Falls’ Super Bowl championship team to register for grappling, but all opted out, choosing indoor track (and the throwing events) instead.
“To get more kids interested, I actually ordered new uniforms last year; we did away with the singlets, which some found (old and uncool),” he said. “They consist of compression shirts and ‘ fighter’ shorts, or those worn in UFC bouts. We thought a new, attractive uniform would attract some kids, but it didn’t.
“Then again, Eugene had some eighth graders coming up to this school, so he knew he’d be able to field a team himself.”
As the founder and primary mentor of the PCWC, Monteiro indicated he has 383 children in his USA Wrestling-affiliated program, those from ages 7-18 and who hail from the Square Mile City, Pawtucket, Lincoln, Cumberland, Woonsocket and Burrillville.
“I’m really psyched that we’re back to just us; I believe it gives us our identity back as the Central Falls High School wrestling team,” he grinned. “Central Falls is a very proud place, so with the kids being able to say they’re wrestling for the city, the community and the people, it’s a really big thing. I think it’s important to them.”
Junior captain Amber Aguilar, who battled but ultimately suffered a 16- 0 technical fall decision to Fisher Everin at 106 pounds, chose her own take on the matter of “soling solo.
“I was a little bummed out because all of those people ( Tolman and Shea teammates) were like my family; we got really close last season,” she said. “I bonded with all of them; in fact, one of my best friends still wrestles for Tolman. It wasn’t about just the people I went to school with.
“They were like my brothers; I was the only girl on the team, but they treated me great.”
As for how Aguilar became involved in such a gritty sport, her story is quite humorous.
“I thought it was like WWE, pro wrestling, when I was younger, and I just loved it,” noted Monteiro, a veteran grappler for the PCWC for five years now. “They had a program when I was in middle school ( at Calcutt); I was in sixth grade, so I decided to try out for it, and I loved it.
“I had a lot of people telling me, ‘ You shouldn’t wrestle; girls don’t do that! You’re not strong enough,’” she added. “I just told them, ‘ I can do anything anyone else can do, so I’m wrestling!’ They ( responded), ‘ Well, you shouldn’t anyway,’ but I ignored them. I stuck with it because I fell in love with it. I like how it helps me get my aggression and feelings out, and I have to say it’s helped me through some dark times.
“I also really like the people I meet in wrestling. It’s really fun.”
Unfortunately, she had to watch two teammates, including classmate Anderson Nanemento at 126) and sophomore Haley Rosales ( the only other female on the squad), both sustain pins at 126 and 152, respectively.
The mentor Monteiro didn’t see disappointment, however, but opportunity.
“We only had three contested matches because we still need some guys to take and pass their physicals,” he explained. “The good news is we got more experience in a bunch of exhibition matches. I know we lost, but I feel good about the fact we’re back on our own.
“We have a lot – and I mean, a lot – of work to do on fundamentals because all but one ( Aguilar) of our kids is brand new to the sport,” he added. “Almost of all of them wrestle with my club team, so our biggest focus this year ( with the Warriors) is to build on the fundamentals and begin investing in this team for more success next year.”
Middletown 53, Central Falls 12
106 – Fisher Everin (M) def. Amber Aguilar, 16-0, technical fall.
113 – Cianelys Feliciano (CF) won by forfeit. 120 – John Currey (M) won by forfeit. 126 – Edward Brady (M) pinned Anderson Nanemento, 3:24.
132 – No match.
138 – Matt McGowan (M) won by forfeit. 145 – Konner Kluth (M) won by forfeit. 152 – Kevin Reed (M) pinned Haley Rosales, :39.
160 – Ricardo Lacouty (CF) won by forfeit. 170 – No match.
182 – Jack Hallet (M) won by forfeit. 195 – Ryan Kerr (M) won by forfeit. 220 – Ahmad Elhariri (M) won by forfeit. HVY – No match.