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Wildcat Wrestlers Open Season with Win at Holy Name

By Tim Putka '22, 12/07/20, 10:15AM EST

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Following a long period of waiting, the Mat Cats launched into their new season.

For many months leading up to the 2020-2021 wrestling season, many things hung in the air due to COVID-19. Despite various cancellations, restrictions, and postponements, the Mat Cats opened the season on Friday night at Holy Name.

The Mat Cats, led by senior captain Anthony Santagata, as well as six other returning varsity wrestlers, are a mix of new as well as seasoned veterans. The lineup boasted three first-year varsity starters.

The match began at 6:30 at 106 pounds, as Landen Knight secured a forfeit win for the Cats.

At 113, Joe Novak began the wrestling for Saint Ignatius. Novak made quick work of his opponent, nabbing a takedown early followed quickly by 3 backpoints, soon after securing the pin for the Cats in the first period.

At 120, first-year varsity wrestler Connor Gisztl gave a valiant effort against a tough opponent. The match began with a takedown in the first period for his opponent, but Gisztl fought back with an escape early in the second period. After surrendering another takedown in the second, Gisztl looked to capitalize in the third period, but unfortunately suffered a pin.

At 126, fellow first-year wrestler Ryan Putka, also known by the team as “Animal” for his tenacious style of wrestling, battled an experienced Holy Name senior. The match began with an early takedown by Putka, before his opponent escaped. After an impressive flurry, Putka suffered a pin in the second period.

At 132, Senior Jack Bush secured a forfeit win for the Cats.

At 138, Santagata faced off with a tough opponent. The match began slowly, with Santagata taking his opponent down and his opponent escaping in the first period. In the second period, Santagata again took his opponent down, this time earning 3 additional back points, before his opponent escaped. The third period, unlike the first two, was a wild flurry. Anthony and his opponent traded 4 takedowns and escapes, but when all had settled, Santagata came out on top with the 12-10 win.

At 145, Senior Calum Campolieti began the match with a quick take down, and earned 3 near fall points with his swift signature move known as the Gator Roll. Campolieti escaped from his opponent in the second period, then quickly pinned his opponent to secure another win for the Cats.

At 152, Sam Infante won by forfeit win for the Cats.

The next several weights were depleted due to quarantine issues and injury for both teams, leading into the 182 pound match where the Green Wave gained 6 points from the Mat Cats surrendering a forfeit.

At 195, Mason Smart began the match with a quick takedown on his opponent, and did not allow an escape, leading 2-0 going into the second period. Mason and his opponent traded attempts to throw each other, unfortunately  Mason ended up on the short end of the skirmish, in the beginning of the second period he lost by fall.

At 220, Patrick Clink made quick work of his opponent, securing a takedown accompanied by 3 back points, before swiftly pinning his opponent.

At 285, Senior Carter Zimmerman secured a forfeit for the Cats.

The Mat Cats earned the victory with a team score of 45-24 over the Green Wave and begin the 2020-2021 wrestling season with a 1-0 record.

On the JV side, Grayson McLellan and Eugene Gibbons also picked up victories for the Cats.

Captain Anthony Santagata said afterward, “Overall, we got the task at hand done. But there is a lot of work that has yet to be done.”

Head Wrestling Coach Mark Sullivan and Associate Head Coach Jon Polick '02 both said, “We are grateful for Holy Name hosting a successful, well-run wrestling event. Everyone involved were excited to display their hard work and perseverance. The referees had a skip in their step and the scorekeepers eagerly watched every match. Fundamentally we were sound, but have to work much harder to gain wrestling condition needed to help prevent and also battle through complete fatigue.”

The Mat Cats will be competing against Valley Forge and Fairview Park on Thursday, December 10, at 6 p.m. at Valley Forge, and will follow up with Cuyahoga Heights and Rootstown at home on Friday, December 11, at 6 p.m. The Friday, December 11, matches will be streamed on the SIBN. Be sure to tune in!