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Changes for winter sports

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There are multiple changes to the winter sports season.

The winter sports season is a go — for some teams.

Basketball, ice hockey and gymnastics are set to begin on Dec. 14. Indoor track has been moved to Fall II, while cheerleading and wrestling were pushed back to the spring.

“The news hurts, but was expected,” said Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling head coach Gary Rabinovitz. “At this point in time there really is not much that we can do to prepare for the season. I will continue to encourage everyone to step up whatever workouts they are currently doing. If the season does happen, we need to be in top shape going in so that we can work technique right from the start. I’m not sure what will be possible. I will do whatever I can to keep the team informed and ready to go if or when we get the green light.”

Girls’ indoor track head coach Steve George also wasn’t surprised his season was moved. The Reggie Lewis Athletic Center, where his team participates in meets, hasn’t held events since March.

“We’re taking advantage of every opportunity to keep our kids happy, healthy and conditioned though,” George said. “We’ve asked that athletes continue to work independently until then. I’m happy to report that quite a few are doing just that.”

As for the cheerleading team, which also had its fall season postponed, it’s doing what it can to stay together during an unprecedented time.

“Of course, it’s disappointing to hear that we will not be starting our season,” said head coach Alyssa Pietrasik. “We’ve still been meeting and conditioning on Fridays so it has been nice to stay connected and continue building our team community. If you look at it that way — we have all this extra time to build a bond for whenever we can cheer competitively again. When the season does start and things open back up, Whitman-Hanson varsity cheer will be ready.”

Brooks leaves his mark on and off mat

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Brooks wrestles his opponent from Hingham. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Senior captain Steve Brooks left his mark in the record book for the wrestling team.

A four-year starter and two-year captain, Steve Brooks left quite a mark on the Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling program — especially this winter.

The senior captain, who wrestled out of the 160-pound weight class, went 38-11, while tying a school-record for pins in a single-season with 32, as the Panthers (11-8) finished with a winning record for the first time in five years. Brooks also placed fifth at the Div. 2 state tournament to become W-H’s highest finisher since 2015.

“Now that my high school wrestling career has ended, the thing I am most proud of is the fact that I helped to lead my team to the best record we have had in years,” Brooks said. “I wanted to prove to my coaches and myself that my leadership, along with the other captains’ efforts, can create a winning culture in our team for years to come.”

Additionally, Brooks pinned his way to two in-season tournament titles at both Sandwich and Oliver Ames.

“Steve Brooks is a pinning machine,” said W-H wrestling head coach Gary Rabinovitz. “Steve had an exceptional career. I could not be more proud of the hard work and sacrifice that Steve has dedicated to our program over his career.”

Brooks hit the mat as much as he could this offseason.

“Sometimes I’d drive all the way to Dedham to practice with another wrestling team,” he said. “It’s great to have a wide variety of coaches and disciplinary styles to work with. My coaches have done a great job at pushing all the kids to stay in that wrestling groove by working out or going to offseason practice. Even just running for thirty minutes a day is a good way to stay in wrestling shape.”

For as eye-popping as Brooks’ stats were, it was his leadership that stuck out to fellow senior captain Bethany Ralph. She said Brooks, a Patriot League All-Star, knows exactly when and just how to lead.

“Steve is an amazing leader, he’s the quiet yet strong type of leader,” Ralph said. “Whether it’s getting everyone hyped up for our match or whether it’s helping one of the guys cool off after they lost. He’s taught me a lot but the most important being that after you think you don’t have anything left to give, take it from my opponent and work harder.”

Leadership is always at the top of Brooks’ mind.

“I take a lot of pride in being a leader, being a role model and leading by example is one of my most important responsibilities as a captain,” Brooks said. “I’m glad I had my junior year to work on my leadership skills with the team. However, this year I believe I did a much better job at governing my team and motivating them all to work as hard as they humanly can.”

Next season, Brooks will continue his wrestling career at Plymouth State University. And while he’ll trade in his Panther red and black for Panther black and green, he won’t ever forget his roots.

“Whitman-Hanson will always be my home, so I plan on staying in touch with the program and the coaches,” Brooks said. “I can’t wait to see how the team does in the future.”

Season Review: Wrestling moves the mat forward

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A Panther wrestler and Silver Lake wrestler. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling team finished above .500 for the first time in five years.

Proud is an understatement when Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling head coach Gary Rabinovitz reflects on this past season.

It’s easy to see why. W-H finished the season with an 11-8 mark, its best record in five years, sent five wrestlers to the D2 state meet and filled all 14 weight classes by early January.

“I cannot say enough about what this year’s team was able to accomplish,” said the fourth-year head coach.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for the Panthers, who opened the winter 5-7, before catching fire, winning six of their last seven, highlighted by a sweep of Nauset, Rockland and Hanover on Feb. 1.

“Each of my first four years as head coach we lasted a week longer than the previous year,” said the coach. “That means our wrestlers are getting better and that is all that matters.”

Senior captain Steve Brooks (160 pounds) paced the Panthers in every statistical category, going 38-11, while posting 32 pins for 215 points en route to league all-star status.

“Steve Brooks is a pinning machine,” Rabinovitz said. “Steve had an outstanding career as a four-year starter and two-year captain for Whitman-Hanson.”

Junior captain Damari Goldsmith-Greene (138 pounds) was also voted a Patriot League All-Star after going 32-13 and racking up 149 points. He’ll enter his senior campaign with 88 career wins.

“We can’t wait for Damari to reach the 100-win mark as only four Panther wrestlers have ever hit that mark,” said his coach.

Senior captain Bethany Ralph (120 pounds) brought leadership to the mat as well. Also, for the second straight year, Ralph finished as a runner-up in the girls’ wrestling state tournament.

“I noticed from Day One of her freshman year that Bethany Ralph was going to be a special wrestler,” Rabinovitz said. “She brought it all to practice and competition every day for four years. She had one heck of a career.”

Seniors Mike Gardner (182 pounds) and Tyler Cullinan (170 pounds), junior Declan Hanapy (220/285 pounds) and sophomore Joe Boss (106 pounds) also heavily contributed for the Panthers this season.

Rabinovitz said the future of the program relies on numbers and offseason training.

“If we can continue to fill all 14 weight classes with quality kids we will continue to head in the right direction,” Rabinovitz said. “I believe the whole team is excited for next season, we finished on a high note and it really brought this team closer together.”

A career to be proud of: Ralph’s stellar run on the mat comes to an end

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Bethany Ralph with her coaches. / Courtesy photo

Bethany Ralph placed second at 120 pounds in the girls’ wrestling state tournament.

Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling head coach Gary Rabinovitz called senior captain Bethany Ralph the best female wrestler he’s had.

She showed why once again today at Methuen High.

For the second straight year, Ralph finished as a runner-up in the girls’ wrestling state tournament at 120 pounds, falling to top-seeded Sophia Matthews of Woburn by pin in 3:35.

Seeded third, Ralph defeated Reading’s Latoya Kibusi by pin, 4-0, in 3:27 in the quarterfinals. She then proceeded to pin Alexcia Nou of Durfee in 5:36 (10-2 win) to gain a spot in the finals.

“Obviously, it wasn’t the outcome I expected,” Ralph said. “I don’t want to end my career like that, of course, but I can’t let it keep me down. It was another great experience, for sure. Now the next step is to decide if I go to nationals in Virginia Beach or not.”

W-H head coach Gary Rabinovitz said Ralph has set the bar high for future girl wrestlers at Whitman-Hanson.

“Bethany is highly respected by everyone that knows her, I am so proud that I was able to coach her over her high school career,” Rabinovitz said. “This respect was earned the hard way, by hard work and dedication to her work ethic, weight control and leadership. “

Leadership goes to the mat: Ralph a trailblazer for W-H wrestling

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Bethany Ralph (far left) finishes in second place at the Senators All-Girls Wrestling Tournament on Monday. / Courtesy photo

Bethany Ralph is the first girl to ever captain the W-H wrestling team.

When Bethany Ralph first stepped on the wrestling mat as a freshman at Whitman-Hanson Regional High, she knew she wanted to be a leader, not a follower. 

After all, she was a female in a predominantly male sport, but that was the last thing on her mind. 

“I realized right away, I wanted to be a captain,” Ralph said. 

Why?

“I knew that this was going to be something much more than a sport for me,” she said. “And to lead such an amazing group of young men would mean that I experienced that and earned my position.”

Ralph was one of two females on the roster in the 2016-17 season. Fellow female wrestler and friend Damari Brandao was the reason she decided to hit the mat. 

“She brought it up to me and I decided it was something different and I jumped right into it,” Ralph said.

Gary Rabinovitz, who was in his first season as W-H’s head wrestling coach at the time, was immediately drawn to Ralph‘s passion for the sport. 

“It all comes down to the heart and the work ethic,” Rabinovitz said. “She’s had it since Day One. She came in after the first week, two weeks of the season, black and blue everywhere. Her parents brought her to the doctors to make sure everything was good. It was just from working hard.” 

Now a senior, Ralph’s the first female to ever serve as a W-H wrestling captain.  

“She wanted to work as hard as everybody from Day One,” said Rabinovitz. “She doesn’t consider herself a girl, she considers herself a wrestler. From her work ethic and what she puts into this every day, she has respect from every one of these guys.”

Sophomore wrestler Rocco Ruffini echoed his head coach’s sentiments. 

“We don’t think of her as a girl,” Ruffini said. “She knows when to step up and push us harder. She’s a great leader.”

Ralph is no stranger to being a trailblazer. Last season, she was on the verge of making history, wrestling in the finals of the inaugural MIAA girls’ state wrestling tournament at 120 pounds. She finished second. 

“To be able to make it to the top of the girls’ bracket is also another big accomplishment because I’m just another girl they don’t think can get there,” Ralph said. 

Ralph has even bigger aspirations than a state title as she winds down her career on the mat. 

“Hopefully people will remember my name and I’ll be someone they can look up to someday,” Ralph said. 

Season Preview: For wrestling team, ‘Our first goal is to win 8-plus matches.’

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Damari Goldsmith-Greene readies for his opponent as the bench looks on at the mat. / Courtesy photo

The wrestling team has been stuck on seven wins for the past four seasons.

In each of the past four seasons, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling team has won seven matches. So, it’s pretty obvious what it’s looking to accomplish this winter.

“Our first goal is to win eight-plus matches,” said fourth-year head coach Gary Rabinovitz.

The Panthers’ prowess on the mat should help them reach that goal.

“This year’s team strength is its past experience on the mat,” said Rabinovitz, whose club went 7-20 last season. “We may only have one or two first-year wrestlers in the starting lineup.”

Junior captain Damari Goldsmith-Greene (138 pounds) leads the way for the Panthers. One of three Panthers who wrestled in the Division 2 state tournament last winter, Goldsmith-Greene posted a team-high 29 wins and was tabbed a Patriot League All-Star.

“Damari has great deal of natural ability, speed and determination are his keys to success,” Rabinovitz said.

Senior captain Steve Brooks, who was hampered by an injury last season, was a state qualifier at 152 pounds. This season, he bumps up to the 160-pound weight class.

“Steve had a very good junior season and the key to his success is his legs,” Rabinovitz said. “Steve is a very good leg wrestler and can pin just about anyone with his favorite move. Steve worked very hard in the offseason.”

Senior Bethany Ralph also captains W-H and is looking to build off of a second-place finish at 120 pounds in the first-ever girls’ state tournament last season.

“Bethany has worked very hard in the offseason and it will be the key to her quest for a state championship,” Rabinovitz said.

Freshmen Braden Kain (132 pounds) and Maddox Colcough (195 pounds), juniors Myles McInnis (126 pounds) and Aiden O’Brien (132 pounds) and sophomore Pat Collett (152 pounds) will also be key to W-H’s success this season.

W-H will be back on the mat Saturday, Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. when it hosts the Whitman-Hanson Tournament.

“I think we are going to surprise a lot of teams this year and be very competitive all season long,” Rabinovitz said.

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.”