Crimson Tide grapplers record lopsided victories
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Toolbox
By Anna Grearson Times Argus Staff - Published: December 11, 2008
BARRE – The Spaulding wrestling team successfully rolled its momentum from Saturday's North/South Duals into Wednesday's meet with Milton and St. Johnsbury and did not drop a single contested match as the Crimson Tide defeated the Yellowjackets 54-12 and the Hilltoppers 59-12.
"I told the kids before we started that our goal tonight was to not lose a bout, and we did that," Spaulding coach Dave Fournier said. "St. J is pretty young, and Milton is a fairly new program too."
The dozen points Spaulding allowed to each opponent were by virtue of forfeits at the 103- and 112-pound weight classes.
"We were a little bit worried about a little bit of a letdown because these aren't two of the stronger teams," Fournier said. "And we gave a couple kids a little bit of a break in making weight and they got to wrestle up."
In a pair of decidedly lopsided matchups, the best bout of the evening came late when Spaulding's Brett Tremblay moved up a weight class to face St. Johnsbury's Thomas Cohen. One of just three matches with the Hilltoppers that went into the third period, the bout was ultimately decided on points with Tremblay earning six to Cohen's four.
"That Cohen kid, he's their best wrestler and he's got some experi-ence," Fournier said."
In the night's first match against Milton, Spaulding's Kyle Edmunds (125 pounds) pinned the Yellowjackets' Sam Weaver in 1 minute, 59 seconds; Tremblay (145 pounds) pinned Jay Atherton in 1:54; Evan Bilodeau (152 pounds) pinned Joe Galloway in 3:53; and Bryant Cleveland (171 pounds) pinned Tanner Palermo in 2:52.
"Tanner Palermo from Milton – we've wrestled him a few times in the past," Fournier said. "Bryant wrestled him in the state tournament and gave it a pretty good go for Bryant to win that match."
Spaulding's Damian Mason (130 pounds) and Zack Rillo (140 pounds) also defeated their opponents while Reuben Stone (189 pounds), Adam Reed (215 pounds) and Ken Demingware (285 pounds) all earned forfeits for the Crimson Tide.
"Damian Mason wrestled well for us at 130, especially his second match," Fournier said. "He looked good."
Mason, a junior, returned to Spaulding after competing for Randolph last season. He participated in the Tide program as a freshman.
In the night's second match against St. Johnsbury, Edmunds (125 pounds) pinned Anders Hahr in 1:29; Rillo (135 pounds) pinned Nick Elliot in 4:53; Bilodeau (152 pounds) pinned Kirill Sawtelle in 1:28; Steven Rich (160 pounds) pinned Kenny Stowell in 1:48; and Demingware (285 pounds) pinned Eric Gracie in 1:11.
In addition, Mason defeated Ian Erhard at 130 pounds; Tyler Cleveland defeated Chris Perreault at 140 pounds; and Tremblay defeated Cohen at 145 pounds.
"Young Cleveland (Tyler) at 135 is holding his own, and Evan Bilodeau wrestled well again tonight and got another couple wins," Fournier said.
Bryant Cleveland (171 pounds), Stone (189 pounds) and Reed (215 pounds) all earned forfeited wins for Spaulding.
Spaulding will compete in Saturday's Early Bird Tournament, hosted by St. Johnsbury, and will also be on the road the following weekend at the Essex Invitational.
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