Jim Day Back At Helm Of BHS Wrestling

Berlin's legendary wrestling coach and Berlin Athletic Hall of Famer is back on the mat this year as the head coach of the wrestling program.

The Redcoats graduated Shaun Sullivan, Will Matuzak, Anthony Squiteri, Mike Fiorillo, Anthony Vinci, Mason Powers and John Asal.

The returning varsity wrestlers are:
Ethan Greider    10th grade    120 lbs.        2nd Class M and CCC Tournament  28 wins last year
Rich Schlichting 10th grade   132/138 lbs.    4th CCC Tournament   19 wins
Kevin Pirruccio  11th grade  126 Lbs.        3rd CCC Tournament   25 wins
Ryan Ogden       10th grade  132/138 lbs.    12 wins last season
Rich Mullins     11th grade  145/152 lbs.    2nd CCC Tournament   25 wins
Jordan Zima      10th grade   160 lbs.        17 wins
Jake Eliades     10th grade   145/152 lbs.    3rd Class M and CCC Tournament Champion  30 wins last season

Seniors:
Stephanie Cohen  12th grade   113 lbs   Stephanie is a four year wrestler who will contend for a starting spot on the varsity team.
Andrew Alessi    12th grade   170 lbs   Andrew wrestled in the varsity line-up in the past, did not wrestle last year.

Returning wrestlers:
Mike Gurrieri    10th grade   120 lbs.        Returning from an injury last season
Jen Owens        10th grade   138 lbs.  Jen wrestled at McGee and last year as a freshman
Chris Armenta    10th grade  138 lbs.   Chris is a student-athlete from Berlin who attends Northwest Catholic, he practices with us and follows our schedule but he competes as a team of one for Northwest Catholic. He trains in the off season with Master's World Champion, John Bennett.

Newcomers:
Peter Niro       11th grade       285 lbs. Peter has transfered back to the High School after two years with the Xavier wrestling program which won the Class LL state title last year
Nick Strain      11th grade   285 lbs. first year wrestler, football player
Billy Contcello  10th grade   195 lbs. First year wrestler, football player
Chris D"Angelone 9th grade   152 lbs. First year wrestler
Jeremy Eliades   9th grade   112 lbs. Freshman with a great deal of experience.
Riley Greider    9th grade   106 lbs  Freshman with a great deal of experience.
Joe Inturi       9th grade   152 lbs. Freshman with experience.
Andrew Mals      9th grade   126 lbs. Freshman with experience
Devon Reilly     9th grade    170 lbs. Freshman with experience
Sean Sullivan    9th grade    132 lbs. Freshman with experience
Emily Thibeault  9th grade   106 lbs. Freshman with experience
Zach Veleas      9th grade   106/112 lbs. Freshman with a great deal of experience.
Bao Le           10th grade   195 lbs. First year wrestler, football player
Steve Petrario   10th grade   145 lbs. First year wrestler, soccer player
Bill Sasso       10th grade   145 lbs. First year wrestler
Jamie Irizarry   10th grade   138 lbs. First year wrestler

"I love our enthusiasm and energy, practice flies by because the team is so positive and supportive of each other," Day said before the season began. "My concerns are a very tough schedule with teams like: New Milford, Ledyard, Daniel Hand, Mount Anthony Union, VT, Springfield Central, MA, Harborfields, NY, Mattituck, NY, Middletown, Avon and that's just our first home tournament on Dec.17. 

"The name of that tournament has been changed from the Berlin Invitational to the PIN DOWN MDS INVITATIONAL. MDS is a disease that attacks red blood cells and in many cases leads to leukemia. We sold T-shirts and other apparel to generate funds and increase awareness of this disease. My wife Lynne has this syndrome, luckily for her the symptoms have been relatively mild so far."

Berlin began the year by being thumped by Farmington in a dual match and then a ninth place finish in the 10-team tournament.