High School Wrestling Previews

‘Canes will put injury-plagued season behind them

Matt Metcalf
Posted 12/18/14

Last season was uncharacteristic for a solid Warwick Vets wrestling program.

The ‘Canes finished dead last in Division I with a 1-14 record while competing in the South subdivision.

But the …

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High School Wrestling Previews

‘Canes will put injury-plagued season behind them

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Last season was uncharacteristic for a solid Warwick Vets wrestling program.

The ‘Canes finished dead last in Division I with a 1-14 record while competing in the South subdivision.

But the fall out of contention was steep, with no slow digression involved.

Prior to last season, Vets’ last losing season came all the way back in 2006-07, when the ‘Canes went 5-10 in Division II-A.

Not only did Vets put together six-straight winning seasons through 2012-13, but it was widely recognized as a state championship contender year-in and year-out.

In its previous five seasons prior to last season, Vets compiled a total record of 59-19-1 in D-I, including records of 15-1 and 14-2 in back-to-back years. In Vets’ 14-win season, in 2011, it won the state title, its eighth in school history.

But last year’s record was a little bit deceiving, as Vets was hit hard with the injury bug. Had things played out differently, they feel that their record would’ve been significantly better.

All-Stater John Altieri, who has now graduated, fought off a shoulder injury for much of the season, before returning to win the state title at the 120-pound weight class.

Junior Owen Amirault competed at the state tournament at 152 as a sophomore, but felt that he could’ve placed had he not been nagged by an injury.

“We had injuries all year long,” head coach Brendan Friel said. “If we were healthy, we feel that our record would’ve been much better.”

The ‘Canes graduated its top wrestler in Altieri, which is a big blow for the program, as Altieri was one of the best wrestlers in state history with four consecutive state championships. They also graduated a big contributor in Nick Thompson, as well as Aaron Hurst.

Vets only has six returners this year on a roster that only contains 13 wrestlers.

Of those 13 wrestlers, 10 are either freshmen or sophomores and there are just two seniors, Davin Lourenco and Trent Mochel.

The ‘Canes will lean heavily on Lourenco, who was Second-Team All-State at 132 last season, to lead an inexperienced Vets roster.

“We’re going to depend on him,” Friel said. “As a junior, he took on a leadership role because of injuries. He did a great job and proved he can handle it.”

The one junior on Vets is Amirault, who was one of the ‘Canes top wrestlers a season ago even through his injuries.

Wrestling at 152, Amirault earned Second-Team All-Division honors last year, making it to the round of 16 at the state tournament before falling to Hope High School’s Emmanuel Borsay, who made it to the finals.

Vets will look to Amirault to play the role of a senior this season, much like Lourenco last season.

“We really thought that he was going to be on the podium last year,” Friel said. “The fact that he wasn’t there has lit a fire underneath him going into this season.”

The four other returners for Vets this season are Logan Amirault, Robert Thomas, Victor Valliere and Kendall Watts – all sophomores.

In terms of weight classes, freshman Shawn Holland will wrestle at 106, Eric Watts at 113, David DiGiacomo at 120, Kendall Watts at 126 or 132, Logan Amirault at 132, Lourenco at 138, Thomas and Austin Morelli at 145 or 152, Owen Amirault at 152, Valliere at 152 or 160, Mochel at 170 and Alex Kenney at heavyweight.

Although D-I-North will remain the same this season, D-I-South will endure a makeover.

Woonsocket, Middletown and Chariho will all move down to D-II this season and filling their vacant spots will be Barrington, Narragansett and intra-city rival Toll Gate.

Barrington went 16-1 in D-II last season, while Narragansett went 15-2 and Toll Gate finished 14-3.

Middletown, Woonsocket and Chariho also encountered some struggles in D-I last season, combining for just nine wins.

The change in the landscape of the subdivision will allow for new rivalries to be formed and for an old one to come together – Vets and Toll Gate.

Vets got its first taste of action on Saturday at the Huskies Holiday Tournament, hosted by Mt. Hope. The tournament featured 19 teams, some in-state and some out-of-state teams competed.

“It was a good way for us to get a look at some of our younger guys and a good way to see how some of our older guys have progressed,” Friel said.

The ‘Canes were also scheduled to compete in a tri-match on Wednesday night at Cranston West. Results were unavailable at press time.

In addition to Vets’ league slate, it’ll also host two tri-matches and the George Schmeider Invitational, which will feature 13 teams and will take place on Jan. 17.

The ‘Canes will compete in tri-matches at Johnston on Jan. 29 and North Providence on Feb. 10 as well. Although it’s still early, Friel feels that the ‘Canes will get back on the right track this season.

“I think the program will turn it around, starting this year,” Friel said.

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