Rams Wrestlers Put Wraps on Another Strong Season

CARMEL—There are always a few things a team could have done better, but when all was said and done, it was another solid winter on the mats for the Carmel High wrestling team.

Nick Rosalino SKIP PEARLMAN Rams 16th-year coach Bill Twardy saw his team win a league title for the third time in the last four years, and Carmel posted a 16-3 dual meet record, falling only to Cornwall (twice) and Fox Lane.

Carmel also did well in earning second-place finishes at the Cornwall, Chad Antoch, and Super 16 tournaments, and the Rams closed out the season by finishing 10th at the Section 1 Championships.

“All in all, I think it was a very good dual meet season,” Twardy said. “And we won a league title, I’m happy about that… and we beat Mahopac, which also makes me happy. We were second at three good tournaments, so I have to be pleased with the way it all went. I only wish we could have done a little better at sectionals … We didn’t perform the way I had anticipated.”

Kevin Davidson SKIP PEARLMAN The Rams were rewarded with 10 post-season selections.

Senior team captain and 140-pounder Kevin Davidson picked up his second consecutive Section 1 championship, and was named All-Section and All-League for the fourth time. Davidson, who went 35-2 this season, and closes a standout career at 151-29 (a new school record), won weight-class titles at the Mid-Hudson, Beacon, and Super 16 tournaments.

“Kevin had a very exceptional season and career,” Twardy said. “He’s a natural wrestler, and probably the best leg wrestler I’ve ever seen. He has incredible balance, and an ability to gain an advantage in any position. He did very well, and is one of the best wrestlers to come out of Carmel High School.”

Junior Nick Rosalino earned All- Section and All-League honors at 103 pounds, in just his second varsity season. Rosalino placed fifth at sectionals, and finished the season with a record of 33-8.

CW from top left: AJ Alvarez, Mykhaylo Panchishak, Tom Davidson, Joe Caporale, Vince Pecora, James Autieri, Doug Chiapperino, Rob Kirk. Photos by SKIP PEARLMAN. “Nick had a phenomenal season,” Twardy said. “He matured, and got better with every match. He was a little over-aggressive early in the season, but then he learned to capitalize on opponent’s mistakes. And he wrestled in the toughest weight class in the section.”

Eight other Rams were named to the All-League team, including junior 112-pounder Tom Davidson (21-17), junior 119-pounder Joe Caporale (31-10), senior 125-pounder Rob Kirk (26-10), senior 130-pounder Doug Chiapperino (25-13), junior 145-pounder James Autieri (23-13), sophomore 152-pounder Vince Pecora (17-13), senior 189-pounder Mykhaylo Panchishak (24-7) and sophomore 215-pounder AJ Alvarez (29-9).

“All of them were among the best in our league,” Twardy said. “I was thrilled to have 10 All-League wrestlers on the team… They were all a pleasure to coach.”

Twardy also praised the contributions of sophomore Tom D’Ambrosio (103), soph Chris Pecora (135) and freshman Igor Panchishak (96). “Tom filled in at 103 and 112 and did a nice job for us,” the coach said. “He was a key kid in the lineup for us. Chris also had a nice season, and I look forward to him and his brother being team leaders in the future. And Igor had a very good season with 14 wins as a freshman.”

Twardy loses five seniors to graduation, including four starters, but expects to have a solid lineup next winter.

“I think we’ll be in good shape,” he said. “We have a lot of tough returning starters. We have 11 returning, and some tough new guys coming in, so the future looks bright.”