Cumberland Invitational

1/14/2012

Just wrestle tough

WRESTLING: LeBlanc makes history for North

TheSunChronicle.com

CUMBERLAND - He shrugged it off for the most part; no big deal to Shane LeBlanc.

Sure, the senior broke North Attleboro's all-time wins mark by defeating Alex D'Aloisio of Lincoln, R.I. in the 120-pound finals of the John Gorman Invitational, but he has bigger aspirations before season's end, namely a state championship.

Still, it was quite the accomplishment for LeBlanc, who led the Red Rocketeers to a share of fifth place in the tournament, which featured top talent from around New England. LeBlanc passed Vinny Sharma for the all-time wins mark by defeating D'Aloisio 11-1.

Earning second place was Austin Renzi wrestling at the 152-pound class. John David (132 pounds), Bobby Deveau (195) and Mike Anderson (220) also placed for the Rocketeers, though it was a tournament in which coach Wayne Griffin felt his team could have performed better.

"There were some moments we shot ourselves in the foot," he said, though noted it was a good time for mistakes with the MIAA Tournament right around the corner. Saturday marks a big day for the North Attleboro program, as the team is two wins away from 300 all-time - 298-135-8 is the team's career record - and will host a quad meet. Also slated for the night is the program's hall of fame induction and 25th anniversary party.

John Gorman Invitational

at Cumberland (R.I.) High School

1-Cumberland (R.I.) 199, 2-Bristol Eastern (Conn.) 160.5, 3-South Windsor (Conn.) 133, 4-North Providence 123.5, 5(tie)-North Attleboro, Johnston (R.I.) 110.

North Attleboro results:

106-Steven Hathaway 1-2 (1 pin);

113-Cameron Burns 2-2 (1 pin);

120-Shane LeBlanc 4-0 (2 pins), 1st;

126-Nick Duva 1-2;

132-John David 3-2 (2 pins), 4th;

138-Jim David 0-2;

145-Dan Kummer 2-2 (2 pins);

152-Austin Renzi 3-1 (3 pins), 2nd;

160-Tom Eustis 2-2;

170-Pete Kummer 1-1;

182-Max Kroll 0-2;

195-Bobby Deveau 2-2 (2 pins), 4th;

220-Mike Anderson 3-2 (2 pins), 4th.

.