Shen varsity wrestling team: #1 in New York State
by Karen Wolcott
The Shenendehowa varsity wrestling team earned their reputation as New York’s best this season. Shen had five Section II champions, and sent seven wrestlers to states.
Coached by Rob Weeks and led by captains Dave Almaviva, Michael Almaviva, Jim Carucci, Nick Kelley, Cole Lampman and Max Miller, they won the state tournament with 83.5 points. Their closest competition was Fox Lane with only 66 points.
Shen’s infamous “Murderer’s Row” (or the more politically correct “Yankees Row”) all made it to the blue placement podium. At 125, Max Miller beat Jimmy Morris of St. Anthony’s and took third place. Dave Almaviva took sixth place with a forfeit from LaSalle’s Jon Clemente. Senior Jim Carucci and sophomore Nick Kelley both took fourth place.
Several matches later, Shen got another place finisher with 189 pounder Tony Fusco who took fourth. Fusco was proud of himself, as he noted he was unable to place last year.
A modest Cole Lampman took home fifth place over Greg Martin from King’s Park. At the end of his match, Lampman had been bloodied and bruised up, but you wouldn’t know it by the expression on his face.
The Shen wrestling team was also recognized before the finals as the best dual team in New York.
