Carmel Matmen Hope to Stay in Thick of League Race

CARMEL—After a solid 2008-2009 season that saw the Carmel High wrestling team finish fifth at sectionals, the Rams are hoping they have enough talent left on the roster to retain their status as one of the big kids on the block.

Kevin Davidson SKIP PEARLMAN The Rams lost Section 1 champion Michael Rose, as well as All-Section selections Alex Othmer, Marty Lorenz and Andrew Carrion, and several other post-season honors recipients.

“We lost a lot of big guns,” was how Rams 16th—year coach Bill Twardy put it. “We’ve got a number of young wrestlers we’ve been grooming for several years, and I think they’re up to the challenge. We’ve got a lot of wrestlers with varsity experience, and I think they are ready to fill the shoes of the graduates. It’s a bit of a re-building year, but we’re certainly no pushovers.”

Topping the list of returnees from last year’s starting lineup is Section 1 champion Kevin Davidson, now a senior at 130/135. All-Section 130-pounder Doug Chiapperino is also in his senior year. Mike Panchishak returns at 189 pounds, soph Tom D’Ambrosio is back at 103, and junior Nick Rosalino returns at 112. Other returning starters include All-League pick and junior Tom Davidson (119), junior Joe Caporale (119/125), senior Rob Kirk (125), senior Tom Doyle (125), junior James Autieri (145), soph AJ Alvarez (215) and soph Steve Keck (285).

Also returning from last year’s team are sophs Chris Pecora (140), Vince Pecora (145), John Petriello (160), and Ryan Morin (160) and junior Tom Curtis (171).

Joining the varsity this season are freshman Igor Panchishak (96) and junior Mike Geisel (135).

“I think the guys are capable of stepping up,” Twardy said. “I think we can win the league. Mahopac is tough, Ossining is always tough, so it won’t be easy. But we have some young guys with a lot of potential.”

Carmel, in a league with Yorktown, Ossining, Mahopac and Lakeland/ Panas, is scheduled to open the 2009- 2010 season Tuesday at Carmel in the Section 1 Dual Meet Tournament, facing John Jay EF, TZ, and Yonkers.