How good is the Ponaganset wrestling team? Try historically good
PROVIDENCE — Ponaganset capped off a historic wrestling season with something no previous Interscholastic League team has ever done.
The Chieftains repeated as New England champions this weekend at Providence Career and Technical Academy, and they did so in dominant fashion.
Four individual title winners, three other finalists and two more competitors who reached the podium led to the deciding points haul. Ponaganset rolled up 209 over two days to beat seven-time Connecticut state champion Xavier, which closed second with 149.
“This is deeper than a sport to us — this is a lifestyle,” said Ponaganset’s David Perez, the 132-pound winner. “A lot of people don’t get that, but I guess that’s why we’re on top.”
Perez, Cole Lemovitz (106 pounds), Jared Hood (120) and Joseph Joyce (138) all brought home individual gold. Carnell Davis (150), Andrew Reall (165) and Preston Marchessault (170) each grabbed a silver while Apollo Bellini (113) and Colby Vital (144) each landed a place in the top six. The Chieftains followed up a record point total at last weekend’s state meet by easing past another loaded field here.
“It’s just a talented group of people in a room that wants to get better,” Hood said. “Our goal in the practice room is just to be the best we can.
“Everyone is trying to be the best, trying to be ranked. That’s what motivates us.”
Perez was part of the best finals match as voted by meet organizers, a pinfall victory over Jonah Paulino at 3:56 of the second period. He was runner-up at this meet last year to Coventry standout Peyton Ellis, who claimed more New England gold at 126 pounds. Ellis capped his high school career with a 10-5 decision against Yandel Morales.
“I’ve always had confidence in myself,” said Ellis, a Johnson & Wales commit. “I never really focused on accomplishing goals. I wanted to focus on being the best version of myself that I can be every single day.”
Rhode Island also boasted the meet’s outstanding wrestler. Scituate standout Gabe Bouyssou became a three-time New England champion thanks to his 16-4 major decision win over Davis. The hat trick of titles earned Bouyssou immediate induction into the region’s high school Hall of Fame.
“I don’t leave any room to have a bad day,” Bouyssou said. “I’m doing everything I can to stay healthy and take home what I’ve been working for.
“I’ve had bad days, but I don’t use that as an excuse. If I’m sick, I’m still going to wrestle.”
Ponaganset has adopted a similar program ethos in recent seasons. This is the third regional crown for the team since 2017-18 — that’s a significant addition to the state’s 10 previous titles through 2015-16. Warwick Veterans, Coventry and Bishop Hendricken were the only other schools with two, and the Chieftains put them in the rearview mirror over these 48 hours.
“I’m trying to repeat because it’s not enough,” Hood said. “I’m trying to win every single tournament on the mat, not just Rhode Islands or New Englands.”
Ellis and Bouyssou each helped lead their respective teams to a top-10 finish. The Oakers closed sixth with 59 points while the Spartans came in eighth place with 55. The Hawks collected 28 points and rounded out the top 20 behind Spencer Fine, who took home bronze.
Team standings
1, Ponaganset, 209; 2, Xavier (Conn.), 149; 3, Haverhill (Mass.), 95.5; T4, East Hartford (Conn.) and Newtown (Conn.), 61; 6, Coventry, 59; 8, Scituate, 55; 20, Bishop Hendricken, 28; T37, Narragansett, 18; T50, Chariho, 13; T63, North Kingstown, 11; T75, East Providence and Woonsocket, 8; T93, Mt. Hope and South Kingstown, 6; T112, La Salle and North Providence, 4; T127, Cranston West, 3; T133, Central, 2.
First place
106 — Cole Lemovitz, Ponag., def. Isaiah McDaniel, Midd., 4-2; 120 — Jared Hood, Ponag., def. Charlie Lussier, W-H, 9-0; 126 — Peyton Ellis, Cov., def. Yandel Morales, And., 10-5; 132 — David Perez, Ponag., pinned Jonah Paulino, Monta., 3:56; 138 — Joseph Joyce, Ponag., def. Jaeckez Mendez, EH, 7-4; 150 — Gabe Bouyssou, Scit., def. Carnell Davis, Ponag., 16-4; 165 — Brent Nicolosi, Hav., def. Andrew Reall, Ponag., 10-1; 175 — Nathan Blanchette, CC, def. Preston Marchessault, Ponag., 3-1.
Third place
106 — Robert Newton, Scit., def. Chase Kastner, South., 5-2; 157 — Ryan Currier, Char., def. Caiden Talento, Platt, 7-4; 190 — Spencer Fine, BH, pinned Ben Ronca, York, 3:12;
Fifth place
113 — Zach Brzoska, FW, def. Apollo Bellini, Ponag., 16-5; 138 — Shea Morris, Hav., pinned Sebastian Armstrong, Cov., 5:43; 144 — Dylan Sherman, FL, def. Colby Vital, Ponag., 6-3; 190 — Michael Toppan, Glou., def. Jack Giannetto, Narr., 16-5; 285 — Keonta Crawford, En., def. Kaz Morosetti, NK, 11-9.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Ponaganset wrestling team repeats as New England champions
