KMS wrestlers are state champs

Wildcats top Martin Middle School in RIPCOA tourney

EastBayRI.com ·

Kickemuit Middle School’s wrestling team is tops in the state. The Wildcats won the RIPCOA state Middle School wrestling championship held Saturday and Sunday at Cumberland High School, pummeling the second place finisher in the statewide contest.

Led by coaches Jason Grifka, Chris Case and Domenic Lombardo, the Wildcats put up 218 points, beating second place Martin Middle School by 71 points. The Wildcats were led by Cory Grifka, who came in first place in the 140-pound weight division and won the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award. First place finishes were also turned in by Liam Mallon (94 pounds), Jordan Pompey (119 pounds), AJ Brooks (126 pounds) and Ryley Bennett (180 pounds).

“They were great,” Coach Grifka said Wednesday morning. “I’m proud of them.”

Other wrestlers competing for the Wildcats included:

Nick Gomes, 82 pounds, second place; Mason Furtado, 82 pounds, third place; Ethan Bland, 88 pounds, third place; Brock Pacheco, 88 pounds, fourth place; Keith Costa, 100 pounds, sixth place; Riley Furtado, 106 pounds, fourth place; Rich Amaral, 112 pounds, did not place (went 1-2); Cameron Connor, 133 pounds, sixth place; Pat Pitts, 150 pounds, did not place (went 1-2); Gaetano MicGovern, 165 pounds, did not place.

Other team members that competed recently in the Futures tournament include Matthew Camp, Anthony Mancieri and Jordan Amaral.

CUTS