With the first wrestling city title in TJ’s 48-year history, the Spartans are primed and ready for bigger and better things.
by Vince Crespin
With last season’s first conference title, the Thomas Jefferson wrestling squad, under the leadership of Mike Laurita will be looking for an encore performance this year, with even tougher competition than last year.
With only three returning seniors (Matt Francis, Boris Tubic and Chris Salazar) from its 2007-2008 campaign, the Spartans are young; but Laurita says not to make the mistake of calling this a rebuilding year. With nine returning starting varsity wrestlers the Spartans are experienced and are coming off a year when they sent seven athletes to the 4A state wrestling tournament.
Coach Laurita is confident in his team’s ability to not only compete at a high level, but to do well at the same time. “My goals for this year in terms of how I want the team do are to repeat as the city champions first and foremost, and to place in the top 10 of the state for 4A as a team. We definitely have the opportunity to do it,” said Laurita.
However, these goals have been made even more impressive due to the fact that CHSAA has placed TJ in a new region, with more prestigious and talented programs. “This years regional’s will be tough. We now have Delta, Moffat county, Cortez, Montrose, Palisade, and Rifle in our region along with Roosevelt, the retuning 3A state champions and a Top 50 team in the nation with 10 returning state placers. All these schools send multiple kids to state every year, so it should be a challenge for our kids, but one all the coaches and I believe they can meet,” said Laurita.
Francis, a senior leader on the team, is looking forward to another year on the mats after a 6th place finish at the state meet last year.“ These last four years have been a long road, but the success has been worth it. In the time I’ve put in I’ve made multiple friendships. These guys have become my brothers. We look forward to another successful year, and expect the strongest team yet,” said Francis.
While Laurita has high hopes, he is reserved in that the success of the team is secondary to health and academics. “While I want to do well in terms of wins and loses, I hope as always the kids stay healthy and stay eligible throughout the season. Any victories or state placing after that is just a bonus,” said Laurita.
