The Andover Wrestling Team returned from Winter Break with two decisive wins at home on Saturday December 7, defeating Tilton, 43-27, and Governor Dummer, 78-0. The Andover Wrestling Team then pushed forward to yet another win against Wilbraham and Monson making the season record 3-0. John Atay ’03 led the way with a quick 35-second pin in the 189-pound weight class. Junior sensation Evan Platt ’06 took the mat next wrestling in the 215lb weigh class and claiming another first minute win for PA. First year wrestler Matt O’Gorman ’04 in his Varsity debut was unable to pull off a win after struggling to get off his back and getting pinned with just one second left on the clock. Gabe Worgaftik ’05 won by forfeit in the 112 lb weight class bringing the team score to 6-18, Andover leading. Next on the mat was Tom Treat 04’ who scored yet another six team points after achieving a second round pin. Nick Constantino ’04 then stepped on to the mat for a long three period match ending with an 18-3 technical fault. Randy Garcia ’06, another first year wrestler making his varsity debut, won by a second period pin in the 130-weight class. Next captain Leon Fay ‘04 earned a quick first period pin making the team score 6-41. Jeffrey Pena ’04 was next to step into the match, wrestling up a weight class, and accomplishing a pin in the second period. Taylor Yates ’05 added another six points to the Andover scoreboard by pulling off a pin. Yates began the match feeling hesitant, however this spell wore off by the end of the first round when he got a pin. Phil Caruso ’03 had the win of the day as he defeated Wilbraham’s best wrestlers and team captain in a second period pin; Caruso’s win was due to faultless technique and timing. Next Lars Trautman ’05 won by a major decision in the 160 lb weight class. This success was followed by brother Erik Trautman ’03 winning in the 171 lb weight class after the first period – wrapping up the day with a final team winning score of 6-63. The team’s skills will truly be tested tomorrow as the Grapplers go against an equally strong Deerfield team. As the competition gets tougher later on in the season, the Blue will look forward to the season’s new challenges.
