NEWA Preview 2012

New England Wrestling Association – 12 qualifiers

Sat/Sun, February 25-26, 2012 at Wesleyan
Returning Qualifiers/All-Americans:
Brandon Gauthier (RIC, 7th), Joseph Grippi (Springfield, 133), Billy Cole (USM, 133), Ces Antista (Williams, 141), Kyle Roosa (Wesleyan, 174), Tom Foote (Williams, 285), Jamison Sacco (WNEC, 285)

With one of the biggest NCAA tournament qualifiers, the New England Conference should come down to a two team race for the title. Johnson and Wales holds the conference’s #1 team ranking, but Springfield could easily put six or more into the conference finals. Roger Williams, Wesleyen, and RIC comprise the best of the rest and should all show well at the tournament. A larger tournament will also allow some teams that are not built for the dual meet season to shine; several place winners including a couple of finalists could vault the likes of Williams, Bridgewater State, or Plymouth State into the top five.

125
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Nate Giorgio (Coast Guard, Contender), Brandon Gauthier (RIC, Contender)
Gauthier is the conferences lone returning All American after a great post season in 2011. He’s been upended as the favorite by freshman phenom Nate Giorgio. The two should be in the finals and if the seeds hold a wild card will most likely come from this weight.

133
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Joseph Grippi (Springfield, #7)
A late season weight change by Grippi gives the conference national credibility at 133. Grippi is now a two time National Qualifier and looks to make his way onto the podium in this his junior season. Although no other wrestler is ranked in the conference, Billy Cole (USM) was a national qualifier a season ago. Other significant challengers to make the finals are Joe Schwartz (Wesleyan), John Donaleski (JW) and Kaison Tanabe (Williams)

141
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Antista (Williams, #9), Giblin (RIC, #10), Medina (WNEC, HM), Webster (JWU, HM)
The weight is one of only two in the conference that has two wrestlers ranked in the top 10, the other being HWT. Antista has made a trip to Nationals and his experience makes him the favorite, but Giblin had a fair amount of success against competition outside of the conference and looks ready to make a run. There are other strong contenders to place in the conference, but none seem to be on the level with the favorites.

149
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Hamrick (Springfield, Contender), Willey (Plymouth, Contender), Trasso (RIC, HM), Tobochnik (Wesleyan, HM), Gilman (USM, HM)
149 is probably the deepest and most wide open weight in the conference. In what seems to be a contrast in styles from Hamrick’s explosive big moves from neutral to Trasso’s control and tough rides to Tobochnik’s ability to score in bunches from any position, it seems that whoever is on and has a good game plan could come out on top of the conference and headed to Lacrosse.

157
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – McGilvray (Springfield, HM)
A move up from last year’s weight has suited McGilvray just fine in conference as he’s the clear favorite. It will take a great day and a big surprise for Wheeler (Ply), Frick (JW) or Barucci (RIC) to upset him. Logan Russell from USM may be a darkhorse as he has the ability to hit the big move and pin his opponent at any time.

165
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Longo (Springfield, #5), Marotti (JWU, HM)
Another weight with a clear cut favorite holds Pride junior Derek Longo. Longo is unbeaten in conference and posted big out of conference wins during both the Budd Whitehill duals and the Messiah Petrofes tournament. As his ranking suggests, he is one of the conference’s most favored wrestlers to earn All American status.

174
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Fish (Springfield, HM)
Four New England wrestlers should be in the conversation when it comes to the championship at 174. Kyle Roosa is the returning champ and has Nationals experience; he will need to step up and produce a great post season to return to the Lacrosse this year as he is currently the fourth ranked wrestler in his weight. The favorite is Fish from Springfield, a junior who seems much improved from last year. Alex Freilich (WPI) and Sean Prell (JWU) have shown promise and could make a run at the title.

184
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers –Ajayi (Wesleyan, Contender)
Jefferson Ajayi has been unbeaten in conference all year and his style allows him to keep matches close with some of the top wrestlers in the country. This ability can make him dangerous at the nationals, but also could be his Achilles heal in conference because he allows lesser wrestlers to stay in the match. Parcel (RW), Phillips (Ply), and Camera (Springfield) have all had some success and each could be the one that is able to pull the upset.

197
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Ernst (Roger Williams, HM)
While Ernst is the favorite, 197 is a weight that a number of wrestlers could win. The conference has Petros Hologitas (Trinity) ranked #2 with wins over all of the other contenders, but an early season loss to Ernst. Erickson (Wesleyan) provided all the hope that any contender needed by beating Ernst early on, but hasn’t been able to keep pace since. Burns (Springfield) has all of the tools to prove troublesome as well and Frazer (Bridgewater) is a senior that is very dangerous on top.

285
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Vaughn (Trinity, #8), Foote (Williams, #9), Walsh (Bridgewater State, Contender), Gabordi (Springfield, HM)
Heavyweight could end up being the most interesting weight in the conference. For one, a lot can happen when the big men get moving, and for two there is a lot of talent and experience here. Two of the contenders have been to Nationals before in Foote and Sacco (WNEC), although Sacco has not returned to form after a year off. The favorite, Vaughn, has been around for several years, but never put it all together until this season. His shear size makes him too much to handle for most of his opponents. One of the most interesting developments in this weight is the mid year emergence of Ohio State transfeer Patrick Walsh; after several years out of wrestling he could hit his stride and surprise everyone come tournament time.