Wrestling team exacts revenge for coach in a big win over Eaglecrest 42-36.
by Vince Crespin
photo by Kevin Fleming
It was clear from the start what mind-set the Spartan wrestling squad employed, as the team chant, “CHAMPIONS!” echoed throughout the gym for the first time in the 08-09 season against Coach Mike Laurita’s former team, the Eaglecrest Raptors.
It started off with the team dropping the first three matches of the night, and four of the first six, resulting in an early 24-12 deficit. However, the Spartans were not to be denied with wins from Joey Scarlett, Peter Taylor, Evan Duran, Matt Francis, Cody DeLaBarre, Chris Salazar, Boris Tubic, and Anthony Choy, which quickly erased the Raptor lead, and built one of their own in the 42-36 TJ win. “We started to turn it around at about the 215 lb. weight class. Up to that point we lost a few key ones, but we battled back, won in big spots and did what it took to win the match as a team,” said Laurita. While it is early in the season, Laurita was careful not to praise his team too highly. “It’s not necessarily a big win, but any time you can beat a 5A school, it’s a good thing. I mean it is still really early and it’s nice to have a win, but we still have a lot to improve on," said Laurita.
Winning this match was especially nice for Laurita, the Raptors’ former coach. “I am friends with their coach, so it wasn’t like I wanted to beat him specifically; but, yes it was nice to beat him. This match could have been a lot different if we didn’t win certain matches. Matt Francis’ was one of those,” said Laurita.
Francis, a senior in the 130 lb. weight class, wrestled against another seasoned senior, who dropt 20 pounds to enter into the 130’s range. “I came into this match knowing this guy was experienced, but I had a strategy planed out to stay on top and take away his legs. Since I was able to do that, I got him into a vulnerable position,” said Francis. Yet, once he was able to get him in that position the referee was reluctant to reward Francis the pin. “I saw his shoulder was like an inch above the mat and I knew it was close, but the ref wasn’t satisfied so I had to give an extra edge in order to get him completely,” stated Francis.
Laurita, although pleased with the win, was already looking forward to the next time the team will be in action. "We really need to work on taking better shots and finishing them. In this sport you have to do everything hard in order for you to even have a shot, so we’ve got to improve on that,” said Laurita.
