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Season Review: Togetherness a strength for wrestling team

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Photo by: Sue Moss

The wrestling team finished with a 7-20 mark, but was white-hot in the homestretch.

Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling coach Gary Rabinovitz is coining the 2018-19 season a success.

For the Panthers, who finished the year with wins in four of seven matches, despite their 7-20 mark, they made progress. They sent three wrestlers to state tournaments, as opposed to zero last season, had a sectional finalist and their first tournament champion in two years.

Sophomore Damari Goldsmith-Greene (138 pounds) was a standout for W-H all season long, collecting a team-high 29 wins, placing in four tournaments and finishing seventh at states.

“Damari is a very coachable student-athlete and gives it 100 percent every day in both practice and matches,” Rabinovitz said. “He is a class act and has not even come close to reaching his potential as of yet. I like to say when a wrestler really gets it that he flicks the switch. Damari has certainly flicked the switch and this happened at the sectional tournament. Going forward he will not look back.”

Rabinovitz credited junior captain Steve Brooks (152), who missed 17 matches, with providing the Panthers with their first high point of the season with a win at the Weymouth Tournament on Jan. 12.

“Steve does a great deal of offseason wrestling and I believe that is the key to his continued success,” Rabinvotiz said. “Steve is in the same zone as Damari, he too believes he can win every match that he competes in.”

Junior Bethany Ralph provided the Panthers with another high point, finishing second in the first ever girls’ wrestling state championship.

“For the past three years Bethany Ralph has been a model of consistency for our team,” Rabinovitz said. “She is one of the hardest workers on our team day in and day out, giving 110 percent every single day. She took a big lead this season and I look forward to her senior leadership next season. Bethany has proven that hard work does pay off.”

Freshmen Jason Rapoza (13 wins at 182) and Rocco Ruffini (10 wins at 220) gave the Panthers a quick glimpse into the future. Junior captain Tyler Cullinan boasted 19 wins, 12 of which came by pinfall, at 160 pounds.

Rabinovitz said togetherness was his team’s strength.

“The team support, especially at the end of a long season when only two wrestlers are left competing was impressive,” Rabinovitz said. “Nearly half the team showed up to practice over the final two weeks to support both Damari and Bethany.”

Sophomore Matt Butler, who was second on the team last season with 16 wins, was held to just 7 matches, in which he was 6-1 in, due to injury.

As for the future, the Panthers will return 12 of 16 tournament place winners and Rabinovitz said he has high optimism for the 2019-20 season already.

“We have several really competitive eighth graders that we have been waiting for and they will finally arrive for next season,” Rabinovitz said. “We are losing only three seniors and two were starters. Time will tell, but offseason wrestling is the key for next season.”

Season Review: Youth takes control on wrestling mats

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The Panthers during a Jan. 3 meet against Plymouth South. / Photo by: Sue Moss

One season after boasting a core of six seniors – three of which competed in the Division 2 state tournament – the Panthers had an infusion of young talent this winter.

The 2017-18 campaign served as a bridge year for the Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling team, which finished the winter at 7-13.

One season after boasting a core of six seniors – three of which competed in the Division 2 state tournament – the Panthers had an infusion of young talent this winter. Not only did they boast 10 freshmen and eight sophomores on their roster, but a significant number of them ended up playing large roles.

For starters, sophomore Steve Brooks (152 pounds) seized the most of his opportunity, racking up a team-leading 19 wins, after just three the year prior. Freshman Matt Butler (126) also took his opportunity by storm, ranking second on the team with 16 victories to conclude his inaugural campaign. Second-year Panthers wrestling head coach Gary Rabinovitz admitted he wasn’t expecting much out of either at the outset of the year.

“We really had two big surprises this season,” Rabinovitz said. “First is freshman Matt Butler. Matt placed in three tournaments this year. The second surprise is sophomore Steve Brooks, [who also] placed in three tournaments for us. Steve proved that offseason wrestling really works.” Screen Shot 2018-02-24 at 12.02.00 PM

Also, bursting onto the scene for W-H were freshmen Damari Goldsmith-Greene (132), Theo Kamperides (113) and Myles McInnis (106).

“We had a great group of freshmen this season and I am looking forward to many of them playing a big role in next year’s team,” Rabinovitz said. “These kids are the future of our program. With another class like these guys next year, we could be a force before too much longer. I really see us winning 75 percent of our dual meets next year, [but] time will tell.”

While the youth movement was evident, the Panthers still received plenty of production out of their two senior captains – Ben Cordingley (138) and Steve Osborne (182). The two combined to win 28 matches and account for 154 of W-H’s points this season.

“Both Ben and Steve have been great leaders for our squad this year,” Rabinovitz said. “Ben was a four-year wrestler and was very consistent this year winning some big matches for us.

“Steve was a very vocal leader always putting the team ahead of himself and his leadership was very much appreciated. Steve was a three-year wrestler for us. Both Ben and Steve led by example throughout the season.”

For the Panthers as a team, they began the season at 4-5 after a 45-36 victory over Duxbury on Jan. 10, before dropping to 5-12 with one meet remaining. And in that final tri-meet Feb 3, the Panthers went 2-1 with wins over Norwood (46-36) and Everett (30-24) to cap the season off on the right note.

Rabinovitz said that despite the team falling a bit short of his expectation, which was at least 10 wins, he is looking for his players to remain driven.

“Offseason wrestling is a critical part of our growth as a wrestling program,” Rabinovitz said. “All of the kids are encouraged to participate in offseason wrestling or play another high school sport.”

Pinning down success: Freshman Goldsmith-Greene impressing on the mats

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Damari Goldsmith-Greene wrestles his Plymouth South opponent in his 9-5 win Jan. 3. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Freshman Damari Goldsmith-Greene is impressing on the mats this winter.

Whitman-Hanson Regional High freshman wrestler Damari Goldsmith-Greene has been turning some heads with his play on the mat this season.

It was on brisk Wednesday, Jan. 3 evening when W-H hosted and was soundly defeated by Plymouth South, 69-3.

W-H’s lone win of the match came at 132 pounds, courtesy of Goldsmith-Greene, who downed his opposition, 9-5.

It was already the third victory of the winter for Goldsmith-Greene, and while he may be in ninth grade, he is vastly ahead of the game.

Goldsmith-Greene began his career on the mat in sixth grade as a member of Josiah Quincy Upper School’s wrestling team, where he competed for three seasons, before moving at the outset of the 2017-18 school year, which led to him attending W-H.

“I came in not knowing anything and then in seventh and eighth grade it was more of like a learning thing for me,” he said. “Then, when I got here it was kind of different because we all wrestle different, but I knew I just had to work hard and just keep it up.”

W-H wrestling head coach Gary Rabinovitz said he knew from day one he had something special in Goldsmith- Greene. “He had great takedowns, but his top and bottom is what really needs the work, so he has a lot to learn, he’s a freshman, but he’s willing to learn – he’s going to go very far,” Rabinovitz explained. “He’s come with a lot of experience behind him and pure talent, I think he’s going to be really good over the next three years.”

Not only has Goldsmith-Greene enhanced his own skills, but he’s improved others around him as well.

“Actually, Ben Cordingley at 138 [pounds], they both weighed in at 132 and he has made Ben a better wrestler,” Rabinovitz said. “Damari showed up on the scene and pushed him and actually won the spot at 132 and they’re going to wrestle off one more time before sectionals, so the things that he’s brought to the team are incredible. He really works very hard, very coachable and just a great overall kid.”

Goldsmith-Greene said the biggest hurdle he’s had to overcome since joining the W-H program is just adapting to the system.

“Learning the new moves that they learn,” Goldsmith-Greene said of his toughest challenge since joining the team. “Everyone wrestles differently, that’s basically it, learning new moves.”

In the Panthers’ Jan. 10 meet against Duxbury, Goldsmith-Greene scored another 9-5 victory to help the team edge the Dragons, 45-36. Three days later, he medaled at the 2018 Weymouth Invitational with a sixth-place finish at 132 pounds.

“I just want to work harder and make it to sectionals and states,” Goldsmith-Greene said.

Rabinovitz is looking for the same thing out of Goldsmith-Greene.

“The key is to place in sectionals, go to states, especially as a freshman,” Rabinovitz explained. “Then at every tournament next year he’ll have what’s called paper, so he’ll be at least seeded at every tournament next year, so we’re really looking for him to be in the top-four in sectionals and go to states as a freshman.”

Season Preview: Coach has high expectations for 2018 Panther wrestling program

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New Compression top

 The National Wrestling Association has approved a new two piece uniform including compression shirt and fight shorts. / Courtesy photo

Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling coach Gary Rabinovitz is expecting his team to be competitive this season.

As Gary Rabinovitz embarks on his second season at the helm of the Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling team, he is elevating expectations.

“We have a lot of wrestlers with a great deal of varsity experience and also several kids that have been through our youth program,” he said. “Bringing them up to speed will not be as challenging as a brand new wrestler would be.”

Headlining the crop of returning wrestlers ready to hit the mat for another season are senior captains Ben Cordingley (132 pounds last season), Steve Osborne (170) and Logan Scriven (160).

“Ben has been a varsity wrestler for the better part of his first three seasons,” Rabinovitz explained. “Logan is a real tough kid who I expect to win a lot of matches this year. Steve has stepped up and has become a true leader of this Panther squad. After missing his sophomore year, Steve worked really hard to make up for the lost time and I am expecting a great season from him.”

Other key pieces back in the fold for the team Rabinovitz is leaning on for production this season include sophomores Steve Brooks, who competed last winter in the 145-pound weight class, Tyler Cullinan, who saw plenty of action in the 160-pound weight class last season, and Matt Rock, who wrestled in the 120-pound weight class during the 2016-17 campaign. Also, junior Christian Schneider will likely be back in the 195-pound weight class and senior Bryce Lacombe, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, will be the Panthers’ heavyweight – a weight class they were forced to forfeit in every meet last year.

In fact, not only did W-H have to forfeit the heavyweight bouts, but it was also without a body in the 106 and 126-pound weight classes, which put the Panthers, who finished the year at 7-18, down 18 points immediately. However, that may not be an issue this time around.

“At this point it looks like we may be able to fill all 14 weight classes this year,” Rabinovitz said. “I feel we can be a .500 team this year at the very least. If we can fill all 14 weight classes then we are already 18 points ahead of last year to start every match. I like those odds very much.”

Rabinovitz said he feels this team’s biggest strength is its togetherness, which he hopes leads to success.

“By being so close nit as a unit, everyone works really hard together and supports each other,” he said. “Wrestling is not only an individual sport, it is also a team sport. When teammates push each other not only does the individual get better the whole team gets better. I also have to give a great deal of credit to my assistant coaches as they are great coaches and also all were Whitman-Hanson wrestling alumni. They know their role on our team and I am proud to have them on my team.”

Key losses for the Panthers from last season include Jake Filicicchia, Alex O’Roak and John Will, all of whom qualified for the Division 2 state tournament last winter.

W-H opens the season on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. at North Attleboro High School with a quad-meet against North Attleboro, East Providence and Pathfinder.

“The number one thing that I will be looking for from our team in the first couple of weeks is consistency,” Rabinovitz said. “We will work harder than our opponents and also smarter. As long as we can stay strong for a full six-minute match we will be fine.”

3 wrestlers head to states

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Seniors Jake Filicicchia, Alex O’Roak and John Will have advanced to the Division 2 state tournament after placing in the top four of their respective weight classes in the Division 2 South Sectional tournament held Saturday at North Attleborough High School.

Three members of the Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling team are moving on.

Seniors Jake Filicicchia, Alex O’Roak and John Will have advanced to the Division 2 state tournament after placing in the top four of their respective weight classes in the Division 2 South Sectional tournament held Saturday at North Attleborough High School.

Filicicchia came in as the No. 2 seed in the 113-pound weight class and took care of his first opponent, Will Stern of Sharon, besting him via pinfall in 1:28. He then claimed victory over Sam Roberts of Duxbury by pinfall 0:25 in. Filicicchia then met Silver Lake’s Daniel Walsh, who he toppled 6-0 to avenge an early season loss to the Laker. Filicicchia wrapped up his day falling 7-0 to top-seeded Jacob Garcia of Marshfield.

“Jake has worked very hard in the offseason to improve his wrestling skills,” W-H head coach Gary Rabinovitz said. “Jake set some high goals for himself this year and has worked hard to achieve them. He also studies all of his opponents to get any advantage he can”

In the 182-pound weight class, Alex O’Roak went 2-1 on the day to earn his spot in the Division 2 state final. O’Roak, who came in as the No. 6 seed, ousted Stoughton’s Bobby Shaughnessy by pinfall in 1:27 and knocked off second-seeded Joe Freda of Hingham via pinfall in 3:24. O’Roak would then fall in the final to Marshfield’s Joe Pomella.

“Alex had an up and down season as he was nursing a shoulder injury most of the way,” Rabinovitz said. Entering the sectionals, he was 13-13 and was the last-seeded wrestler in his weight class. Alex pulled it all together and finished second and now has a season record of 15-14.”

Entering as the No. 3 seed in the 220-pound weight class, John Will earned a pinfall in 3:33 over his first opponent, Dylan Burns of Pembroke. In his second-round match against Dimitri Kalogeras of Sharon, Will took an inadvertent head butt to his right eye, but finished off his opponent by a pin in 4:40. After being cleared by the trainer and being forced to wear a head mask to prevent his eye lid from any further trauma,Will knocked out Marshfield’s Jeremy Edwards in a 4-3 decision. Will ended the day with 3-0 loss to North Attleboro’s Brad White.

“John has been a true team leader all season long,” Rabinovitz said. “He wrestles hard and never gives up. Like Jake, he works very hard every day and is pushed by my assistant coaches.”

Rabinvotiz, who is in his first season as the head coach of the Panthers, said he could not be any prouder to have three wrestlers representing his program in the Division 2 state final.

“The three finalists — Alex, Jake and John — are all four-year wrestlers,” Rabinovitz said. “I truly believe that if you put in your best effort and stay with it you can be successful in wrestling. All three of the guys have proven that.”

The Division 2 state tournament will run from Friday, Feb. 17 to Saturday, Feb. 18, at Algonquin Regional High School and kicks off Friday at 3 p.m.

To advance to the MIAA All-State Tournament, each wrestler must place in the top four of their respective weight class to guarantee a spot.

Season Preview: Wrestlers hit mat with big plans for 2016-17 season

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Gary Rabinovitz is embarking on his first season as a wrestling head coach.

With its new campaign approaching, Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling team is expecting a lively season on the mat as it nears a major milestone.

After serving as an assistant coach to Dr. Kevin Broderick for the past two seasons, Gary Rabinovitz has taken over the reins of the wrestling squad.

Rabinovitz is no stranger to W-H, having also served as an assistant to Bob Gray back in 1988-89, as well as participating on the first ever Panther wrestling squad in 1977-78.

The 1990 Whitman-Hanson Hall of Fame inductee said the camaraderie within the team has been exceptional out of the gate and feels it will work in its favor this winter.

“Wrestling is like family,” Rabinovitz said. “One of our biggest strengths is helping each other to get better every day.”

Leading the charge at either the 106- or 113-pound class will be one of the Panthers’ key returnees from a year ago, co-captain Jake Filicicchia.

“Jake had an outstanding year in 2015-16 and continued all offseason, wrestling and preparing for a great senior year,” Rabinovitz said. “Jake is truly committed to be the best he can be and works hard at getting better every day.”

Senior John Will joins Filicicchia as a co-captain this year and will anchor the 220-pound weight class.

“John had an impressive junior season, winning a majority of his matches by pinfall,” Rabinovitz said.

Rabinovitz also expects contributions from seniors Josh Baker (145 pounds), Alex O’Roak (182) and Kevin Smith (145).

Rabinovitz said he credits the Whitman-Hanson youth program for helping develop numerous wrestlers, including freshman Steven Brooks (138) and Matt Rock (120) and sophomore Joel McInnis (132-138), who he feels will provide key contributions down the road on his club.

“We look to these young men to play important roles this season,” Rabinovitz said.

Junior Steve Osborne (160-170), who took a year off from the mat last season, was the recipient of captain of the week, a newly installed crown to entice additional leadership within the program.

“I am looking for great things from Steve this season,” Rabinovitz said.

Also, catching the eye of the first-year Panther head coach thus far has been junior Logan Scriven (152-160).

“[He] seems to be coming into his own,” Rabinovitz said. “Logan competes hard day in and day out and I look for great things to come from him.”

With wrestling being one of the more unique sports, relying on individual and team performance, Rabinovitz said he is looking forward to two big dates on his club’s docket of contests.

On Wednesday, Dec. 14, W-H will be unveiling its brand-new state champions banner before its meet against Quincy. The wrestling squad has produced eight individual state champions, who have been invited back for this event.

The Panthers will compete in a quad home meet Saturday, Jan. 21 and celebrate with hopefully all their past state champions, four of whom live out of state, over the past near four decades of W-H wrestling. Rabinovitz said hopes all former Panther wrestlers attend.

One key number to focus on is 500. The Panthers sit at 498 career victories as the season approaches.

W-H opens its schedule Saturday, Dec. 10 at North Attleboro against East Providence and Pathfinder.

“We are a very young team with several empty weight classes so I look to be competitive in every match we wrestle,” Rabinovitz said.