TOPSFIELD — The Masconomet wrestling team proved a formidable host at Saturday's Cape Ann League Open, placing first out of the 12 teams competing with a tourney high 195 points, but the Chieftains' overall success did little to slow the progress of a number of sectional-bound River Rival Region wrestlers.
The Triton Vikings were a team of monsters, taking second at the tourney with 160.5 points and placing five champions and another finalist in six of the 14 weight classes.
"This was one of the best CAL tournament finishes in my coaching career," Triton coach Shawn McElligott said.
Leading the Triton charge was Victor Ramirez (3-0) at 106 pounds and Mark Rosmarinofksi (3-0) at 120 pounds, both of whom recorded their second straight CAL Open titles.
"It's just a matter of working hard and being consistent with your effort," Rosmarinofski said. "From the start of the season to the end, give it your all, and don't take anybody lightly."
Also proving to be the best of their division for the Vikings were Mark Boyle (145 lbs.; 3-0), Luke Boyle (126 lbs.; 3-0) and Bryan Giblin (182 lbs.; 3-0).
"Luke Boyle, I believe, became Triton's first freshman league champion by pinning his way through the tournament, and Mark Boyle won a huge semifinal match versus Ramon Espinal, before tech-falling John McDonald of Beverly 19-4 in the finals," McElligott said.
One of the best matches of the day occurred at the 182-pound weight class final with Giblin taking on Masconomet's Aydab Strachan.
"They're both considered two of the best in Massachusetts at 182, but (Giblin) won 10-5 to get his first career league title," McElligott said. "(Giblin) was awarded the CAL's most outstanding wrestler for the upper weights (145-285)."
Also placing for the Vikings were Cody Nixon (132 lbs.; 2-2) and Clay Bruneau (170 lbs.; 2-2), who both placed fourth, and Ryan Clay (195 lbs.; 2-1), who placed second.
"Clay wrestled a great match to make it to the finals with an injured shoulder, but he lost a tight final 8-7 to Masconomet's Julian Bandereck."
Ryan was later voted onto the All-League team, joining Ramirez, Rosmarinofski, Luke and Mark Boyle, and Bryan Giblin. Nixon and Bruneau were named All-Stars.
Rosmarinofksi is poised to make waves in this upcoming weekend's Sectionals at Triton on Saturday.
"I'm going for the gold," Rosmarinofski said. "I'm not going to take anything for granted, and I'm going to do as well as I possibly can."
The Pentucket Sachems came in seventh (68 points) out of 12 teams and placed three of their wrestlers: freshman Josh Wesolowski (120 lbs.; 3-1) took third, junior Jeff Funk (132 lbs.; 2-1) placed second, and junior Tom Funk (113 lbs.; 3-0) took home championship hardware.
"Tom has worked hard to get where he is," Pentucket coach Dennis Puleo said. "He's continued to improve, he's a determined kid, and if he continues in this fashion, there's no telling how far he can go."
Also wrestling well for the Sachems was junior Kevin Clark (126 lbs.), who went 2-2 on the day.
"We were short-handed on the day with a handful of wrestlers out, but we managed to compete and do very well," said Puleo, whose team is competing against Triton at home on Wednesday before competing at the Sectionals. "We're expecting some more great performances from these juniors and (Wesolowski) who has been a great addition and surprise."
Placing ninth (64 points) were the Georgetown/Ipswich Royals, a team who placed a trio of wrestlers in junior David Ingraham (126 lbs.; 3-1) and freshman Charlie Galanis (106 lbs.; 3-1), who both took third, and sophomore Matt Prescott (160 lbs.; 2-1), who placed second.
"We've had a tough year," Royals coach Mike Curley said. "Over half the team are freshmen and we're doing some rebuilding, but this team has made some great strides."
Other Royal wrestlers competing well were freshman Matt Carey and sophomores Mike Gallanar and Dave Conway.
"We have great reason to believe in the potential of this team," Curley said. "We have a really impressive crop of young athletes, many of whom are wrestling for the first time. That's not an easy thing to get used it to. There's the whole wrestling culture, the techniques, cutting weight. They've done a good job adjusting and they've shown improvement throughout the season."
Cape Ann League Open Results
Masconomet195
Triton160.5
Lynnfield/North Reading148
Beverly112.5
North Andover (B team)91.5
Salem78
Pentucket68
Peabody65
Georgetown/Ipswich64
Marblehead/Swampscott50
Danvers33
Saugus/Winthrop19
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