Warriors win 8 of 10 bouts on mat to outlast Portland
CANTON, Dec. 16 – The Warriors were outnumbered on Wednesday night in their traditional season opening match with Portland. Due to injuries and lack of wrestlers, Canton forfeited four weight classes, giving up 24 points. But Canton won eight of the remaining 10 weight classes with five pins to earn a 44-36 victory.
It was close at the end. Canton had a 41-36 lead going into the final match and a pin by the visitors would have given Portland the victory. And the Highlanders’ John Clarke had Peter LeDuc on his back. But LeDuc wrestled tough and prevailed with a 13-10 victory to clinch the victory for Canton.
Chris Gisselman (103) earned a pin in his varsity debut for the Warriors while Rich Jones (160), Brian Fitzpatrick (112) and Nate Getler (140) also had pins. Matt Grisevich (130) won by tech fall in just 2:51. The big pin of the match came from Matt Graziano at 171 pounds over Jon Palenga in 3:42. Graziano couldn’t get down to 152 pounds so he weighed in at 160 and wrestled at 171 pounds.
2010 preview
Solid veterans fill lineup for Warriors
CANTON, Dec. 13 -- Canton (20-11, 6-1 NCCC) finished second in the league behind Avon a year ago. It was the best record for the Warriors since 2002. This year, Canton has a small team of just 19 wrestlers but coach Bill Phelps, in his 28th and final season behind the bench, hopes his team can make some noise in the league and perhaps in Class S.
Canton returns senior Steven Carpenter (125/130), who has placed in the top six of the Class S tournament the last two years and won a NCCC title as a sophomore. Senior Rich Jones (160/171) and sophomore Matt White (119) each won NCCC titles a year ago.
Sophomore Brian Fitzpatrick (112), senior Matt Grisevich (130/135) and sophomore Peter Leduc (145/152) each finished in the top three in the NCCC tournament and return. Senior Cole Murphy (285) finished third in the NCCC a year ago but is out of action for now with a football injury.
Junior Nate Getler (135/140), who was 29-2 a year ago before tearing up his knee in a match last January, is back on the mat.
“This is a real good group coming back,” said Phelps, who is 12 wins shy of 300 for his career. “This could be a strong group.”
The challenge will be for new contributors to fill in the gaps in the lineup and for Canton to field a full lineup of 14 wrestlers and not forfeit any weight classes.
Former CHS
wrestler dies
in accident
MONSON, Mass., Sept. 7, 2009 – Former Canton High wrestler Joe Keifer died on Monday, Sept. 7 after he lost control of his motorcycle in an early-morning accident in Monson, Mass. Keifer, 45, was driving a 2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 750. He was wearing a helmet.
Keifer wrestled four years for Canton and was a tri-captain on the 1982 Warrior squad. He graduated from Canton in 1982. He was a lumber technician by trade and was owner of Keifer Atlantic. He leaves behind four children. His hobbies included coaching youth soccer and basketball, riding his motorcycle, traveling and he was a big fan of the Red Sox and the Patriots. Services will be Saturday, Sept. 13 from 2-5 p.m. at Beers & Story Funeral Home in Palmer Mass.
n Assistant coach: Ed deSimas, 26th year (263-267-6)
n Last year: 20-11, 6-1 NCCC, 3rd NCCC tournament, 10th Class S tournament
Key losses: Brandon Leach; Nate Scull; Nate Haller; Sean Delany
Seniors
Steve Carpenter (2009 – 1st NCCC, 6th S at 119; 2008 – 1st NCCC, 2nd S at 103; 2007 – 3rd NCCC at 103)
Matt Grishevich (2009 -- 3rd NCCC at 125)
Rich Jones (2009 – 1st NCCC, 4th S at 160; 2008 – 3rd NCCC at 152)
Greg Cole
Cole Murphy (2009 – 3rd NCCC at 285)
Mike Neriani
Juniors
Nate Getler (2008 – 2nd NCCC, 5th S at 125)
Sophomores
Brian Fitzpatrick (2009 – 4th NCCC at 112)
Matt White (2009 – 1st NCCC, 4th S at 103)
Matt Yacovino
Peter LeDuc (2009 –4th NCCC at 130)
Mike Grishevich
Ryan Glynn
Freshmen
Ben Corbett
Mick DeSouza
Chris Giesselman
Chris Vandebogart
Chris Mutch
Matt Graziano
NOTES: A year ago, Phelps was named coach of the year in the NCCC and deSimas was named assistant coach of the year. ... Phelps is 12 wins shy of 300 for his career.
Canton 44, Portland 36
At Canton
152: Sam Law (P) forfeit; 160: Rich Jones (C) pin Eric Churchill, 1:15; 171: Matt Graziano (C) pin Jon Palenga, 3:42; 189: Devin Salemore (P) forfeit; 215: Peter May (P) pin Chris Mutch, 0:49; 285: Andre Egien (P) pin Ryan Glynn, 0:43; 103: Chris Gisselman (C) pin Cody Smith, 1:48; 112: Brian Fitzpatrick (C) pin Tom Valente, 4:42; 119: Andrew Smith (P) forfeit; 125: Josh Fontanez (P) forfeit; 130: Matt Grisevich (C) tech fall Ryan Enright, 15-0, 2:51; 135: Steve Carpenter (C) forfeit; 140: Nate Getler (C) pin Nick Caisse, 0:46; 145: Peter LeDuc (C) dec. John Clarke, 13-10
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