RallyNorth.net

Whittier wrestling preview

2006-07 record: 10-10, didn't compete in state dual-meet tourney

Returning starters (5): Sean McNiff, Jr., 130; Brett Vellante, Jr., 140; Cameron Gadd, Jr., 125; Anthony Eugenio, Soph., 112; Steve Surette, Soph., 145

Returning lettermen: Sean Souza, Jr., 215; Pat Scheidegger, Jr., 189; Joe Wines, Sr., 171; Shannon Constantine, Soph., 103

Candidates in all grades: 40

Captains: TBA

Assistant coaches: Alex Valhoule

Opener: quad-meet at Reading Dec. 8

Odds and ends: The offseason was unkind to the Wildcats. Top wrestler Jordan Scally, who was third in the state in Division 2 at 171 and fifth at All-States, decided to play ice hockey at Amesbury as part of a new co-op program. Standout Matt Miles is lost for the season because of a football injury and Carlos Candelaria opted to focus on boxing. ... Whittier finished 10-10 last year but opted not to wrestle in the Division 2 dual-meet tournament despite being eligible. ... Sophomore Shannon Constantine trained diligently during the summer and is a strong contender to start at 103. ... There are 20 freshmen out for the team, but almost all of them have no experience.

Rich Durkin (12th year): "The kids are working hard, but we just don't have the experience. I always expect to lose one or two kids, but we lost four kids who would have been 24 points for us in a lot of meets. That's tough. With those kids not back, I'm hoping for a .500 record. That would be a great accomplishment."