Greenwich wrestlers take down Stamford

STAMFORD -- Christmas break offers wrestling teams uneven practice schedules and matches at odd times, making the month from break until the FCIAC tournament a crucial time for teams aiming to build momentum for the postseason.

In the first match after the new year, Greenwich began its push with a 54-29 win over Stamford in a meet that saw every match but one decided by pinfall or forfeit.

Greenwich coach George Albano was pleased with how his team responded following the break.

"You kind of get out of your routine a little bit where your practices are at weird times and you are trying to bounce between Christmas and New Year's," Albano said. "It is nice with school going again; we had a great week of practice so far. It was good to get back on the mat and the kids showed up tonight."

Stamford came out hot, with Carlos Romano at 138 and Christian Llanos at 145 each picking up pins to put the Knights up 12-0.

Stamford coach Tim Donnelly hopes his young team learns something going against Greenwich, with the goal being success down the road.

"I am just putting these ninth and 10th graders out there and saying `Go, let's see what happens,' " Donnelly said. "Come check with us in two or three years, we are going to be a solid team because all these ninth graders will be 11th and 12th graders but they are going to take their lumps, especially in the FCIAC."

Newly named captain Eric Tack at earned a pin at 152 to help stabilize the Cardinals and send them on their way to victory.

Tack was apprehensive before his match, but felt in control once he hit the mat.

"I was weighing in against him and he looked pretty big and pretty strong," Tack said. "It was my first day as being captain and I just went for it. At this point in the season we start to get in our groove and the rust is coming off."

After a forfeit at 160, Greenwich picked up pinfall wins from Mike Gestal (170), Justin Montier (182) and Thomas Williams at 220 to move ahead 36-12.

Stamford recorded wins at heavyweight with Solomon Ray picking up a pin, and at 113 with Jose Marroquin earning a 15-0 tech fall.

In between Greenwich got a pinfall win from Mark Chien at 106.

The Cardinals closed with a pin by Jack Benenson at 120 while Mohammed Abdul-Hakeem picked up a pinfall at 132 for Stamford to close out the match.

Greenwich now moves into the final month of the season hoping to build on Thursday night's win.

"We talked about that before the match," Albano said. "January 2 to February 8, so we are a little over a month away from FCIACs and we always pride ourselves on peaking in February and wrestling our best at the end of the season. We got a nice FCIAC win tonight and I think the team is heading in the right direction."

Greenwich 54, Stamford 29

138 pounds: Carlos Romano (S) pin Bryce Stanback; 145: Christian Llanos (S) pin Daniel Gutman; 152: Eric Tack (G) pin Hubert Buissereth; 160: Mitchel Nethercott (G) FFT; 170; Mike Gestal (G) pin Scott Polonia; 182: Justin Montier (G) pin Jonathan Spanakos; 195: Grant Cucchissi (G) FFT; 220: Thomas Williams (G) pin Greg Bortot; HVY: Solomon Ray (S) pin Michael Fahy; 106: Mark Chien pin Matt Cammorota; 113: Jose Marroquin (S) tech fall Alex Margeotes 15-0; 120 Jack Benenson (G) pin Steve Reynolds; 126 Ethan Ross (G) FFT; 132 Mohammed Abdul-Hakeem (S) pin Scott Sutton.