fbpx
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
    • Get Home Delivery
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Customer Support
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Where’s My Paper?
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Holiday Gift Subscription
Hudson Valley One
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
Hudson Valley One
No Result
View All Result

Modified wrestling team goes undefeated

by Robert Ford
April 13, 2016
in Sports
0
Seated Left to right: Matt MacDonald, Dylan Henninger, Chris Bull, Dan Ball, Riley Merritt, Kristian Chauncey, Gregory Dederick, Colby Amell; second row: Shane Bowen, Andrew Reynolds, Sam Speirs, Joshua Arsenault, David Alexander, Sam Bagshaw, Nick Hummer, Jakob Piratzky, Nate Cantwell; standing: Coach Reid Kappler, Dan Miller, Brian Lopez, Anthony Mallia, Owen Mathous, Matt Bucci, Jack Smythe, Connor Curry, Nick Brennan, Kyle Beck, Colden Staccio, T. O. Owen, Coach Larry Skalla; missing from photo: Riley Hewitt, John Hewitt, Gabe Swart, Trevor Dennis
Seated Left to right: Matt MacDonald, Dylan Henninger, Chris Bull, Dan Ball, Riley Merritt, Kristian Chauncey, Gregory Dederick, Colby Amell; second row: Shane Bowen, Andrew Reynolds, Sam Speirs, Joshua Arsenault, David Alexander, Sam Bagshaw, Nick Hummer, Jakob Piratzky, Nate Cantwell; standing: Coach Reid Kappler, Dan Miller, Brian Lopez, Anthony Mallia, Owen Mathous, Matt Bucci, Jack Smythe, Connor Curry, Nick Brennan, Kyle Beck, Colden Staccio, T. O. Owen, Coach Larry Skalla; missing from photo: Riley Hewitt, John Hewitt, Gabe Swart, Trevor Dennis

While Saugerties High School senior James Bethel was finishing third in the state tournament, the best finish for any Sawyer wrestler yet, Saugerties seventh and eighth grade wrestlers were making a strong statement themselves. They were going undefeated as a team, the first to do so.

“We had 32 kids, in weight classes ranging from 67 pounds to 221, who really came through this season,” said head coach Larry Skalla.

If anyone should know quality wrestling, it’s Skalla, who has been teaching the sport since 1962.

Skalla, whose son Dennis is the junior varsity wrestling coach and assistant head coach at the varsity level, has been coaching the younger kids for the last five years. He’s assisted by former Saugerties High School standout wrestler Reid Kappler.

Many of the wrestlers have been recruited from the modified football program, whose coach is Dom Zarrella, the head coach of the varsity wrestling team.

“One of the nice things about being the football coach is that I can direct my players into wrestling, which allows us to build the program,” said Zarrella.

“Our object at this level is to let the kids explore the sport,” Skalla said. “Many of these kids have never experienced it before.”

Wrestling is unique. It’s both a team sport and an individual sport. Many of the young wrestlers have only participated in team sports such as soccer, football and baseball.

“It’s a very demanding sport,” Skalla said. “When a young kid steps out onto that mat, he is all by himself.”

“We had a really good group of kids this year,” Skalla added. “They were willing to work hard. Coach Kappler and myself tried to get the kids to understand that when you are on the mat you have to put in the work if you want to win.”

And with Kappler, who is young enough to be able to relate to the kids, “they all really get it.”

Next year many of these youngsters might find themselves starting on the varsity level, which will lose 11 wrestlers to graduation this year, creating numerous openings next year for those willing to put in the work.

“I thinks some of our eighth graders will be able to break through to the starting lineup next year,” Skalla said. “And I looking forward to seeing what they can do, and training the next group as well.”

Tags: sports
Join the family! Grab a free month of HV1 from the folks who have brought you substantive local news since 1972. We made it 50 years thanks to support from readers like you. Help us keep real journalism alive.
- Geddy Sveikauskas, Publisher
Previous Post

Accent on New Paltz: What have we learned about Wilmorite recently?

Next Post

Maple Weekend on tap

Robert Ford

Related Posts

Kingston Stockade FC versus Hartford City FC
Sports

Stockade FC will play at Marist College’s Tenney Stadium while Dietz Stadium is being renovated

January 24, 2023
This week in sports (5/5/21)
Education

After 18 seasons and a state championship, Mike Groppuso steps down as Kingston High School baseball coach

January 16, 2023
Town of Ulster revises policies for dealing with sports injuries
Sports

Town of Ulster revises policies for dealing with sports injuries

November 23, 2022
Soccer coach celebrates 50 years in Saugerties
Sports

Soccer coach celebrates 50 years in Saugerties

November 13, 2022
New Paltz Central School District implements new athletic training program
Education

New Paltz Central School District implements new athletic training program

November 2, 2022
Dutch Guard finds ties that bind around Kingston Stockade FC
Sports

Dutch Guard finds ties that bind around Kingston Stockade FC

August 31, 2022
Next Post

Maple Weekend on tap

Trending News

  • One-man crime spree comes to end after Kingston man runs out of luck 3.7k views
  • Saugerties to host inaugural Snow Moon Festival February 3 to 5 2k views
  • Visit Kingston’s 12,240-square-foot squat, centrally located with wood-burning fireplace 1.7k views
  • The Bruynswyck Inn Oyster & Clam Bar offers fresh seafood and Shawangunk views 1.6k views
  • 20-foot, 10-wheel big rig overturns in Saugerties, injuring driver 1.2k views
  • Neighbors protest Ulster County Veterans’ Cemetery flagpole spotlights 752 views

Weather

Kingston
◉
34°
Partly Cloudy
7:02 am5:17 pm EST
Feels like: 34°F
Wind: 0mph E
Humidity: 67%
Pressure: 29.94"Hg
UV index: 0
TueWedThu
43/32°F
48/27°F
39/37°F
Weather forecast Kingston, New York ▸

Subscribe

Independent. Local. Substantive. Subscribe now.

  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Holiday Gift Subscription

© 2022 Ulster Publishing

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Support
    • Advertise
    • Submit A News Tip
  • Print Edition
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
    • Where’s My Paper
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Log In
  • Free HV1 Trial

© 2022 Ulster Publishing