Much like their counterparts at Rye High, the Rye Country Day wrestling team has gone to the mats this season with a very thin roster. Nevertheless, their grapplers have exceeded expectations by overcoming the pre-match disadvantage.

 

By Jim Byrne

 

Much like their counterparts at Rye High, the Rye Country Day wrestling team has gone to the mats this season with a very thin roster. Nevertheless, their grapplers have exceeded expectations by overcoming the pre-match disadvantage.

 

At home January 18 against Collegiate, an equally light squad, the Wildcats posted a 48-12 victory to improve to 6-3 on the season, scoring four pins mixed in with a handful of forfeits.

 

“This was kind of what we expected,” said head coach Rich Knazik. “Collegiate usually travels light, and we were fortunate to take advantage. We have a good core of wrestlers who are committed to winning consistently.”

 

John Almodovar got things going on the mat for RCDS by pinning Ronald Joseph in 4:20 in the 113-pound weight class. Ben Lust (138) was next for the Wildcats, and almost scored a rapid-fire pin in the opening round, but settled for one at the 2:57 mark.

 

“As long as we win on the mat we’re happy,” said Lust. “You know what you’re getting from everyone on this team, a group of guys who are great wrestlers.”

 

Although Dylan Bronson dropped a 6-0 decision to Tim Ford in the 152-pound class, George Matelich (160) quickly turned the tide back for RCDS.

Matelich overpowered his opponent and pinned him in 45 seconds. Andrew Miller secured Rye Country Day’s final non-forfeit victory of the day, emerging with a pin in a grueling three-round 171-pound weight class clash with Al Hurtley. Miller showed amazing strength throughout, lifting his opponent while at a disadvantage, and taking him down with jaw-dropping power. He improved to 12-0.

 

Earlier in the season, Miller and Lust took first-place finishes at the Martin Luther Tournament in Queens, where the Wildcats tied for first with Poly Prep and Info Tech by scoring 134 points. Jon Arroyo placed second in the 101-pound class, and Marc Schneider (128), Bronson, and Matelich all took bronze. Lust was voted Most Outstanding by the coaches after pinning his way through the tournament.

 

Another highlight for the Wildcats was their hard-fought 37-31 win against the Garnets in December.

 

Knazik praised senior captain Matt Lee as a “good team leader”, and said his team is set on taking down Brunswick and attempting to win the FAA tournament.

 

“Twelve kids is a very low number for us, but despite that we’ve done exceptionally well. Guys have improved and we’ve kept the focus on the positives.”