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Wrestlers tackle The Boot

Expectations were all over the map as wrestlers representing 10 different schools gathered last Thursday at Sudbury Secondary for the annual battle known simply as The Boot.
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Wrestlers representing 10 different schools gathered last Thursday at Sudbury Secondary for the annual battle known simply as The Boot.
Expectations were all over the map as wrestlers representing 10 different schools gathered last Thursday at Sudbury Secondary for the annual battle known simply as The Boot.

Some, like Eric Tessier of Macdonald-Cartier, enter with a very specific game plan. The 15-year-old Grade 10 student has been active in the sport, at both a club and school level, for the past four years.

After attending both OFSAA and nationals last year, he is raising the bar in 2015. "I'm really focusing on slowing down the match, controlling the match," explained Tessier.

"When you wrestle someone who is really good, you both tend to slow down. Then, when you have your hold on the guy, then it's wrestle, wrestle, wrestle. Against new wrestlers, it's defence first. You have to see how he wrestles."

By contrast, Michael Moroso, also 15 years of age and in Grade 10 at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, entered his first meet last week with all of three weeks of training under his belt.

His approach was somewhat more subdued, as the day began.

"I was just hoping to win one (bout), at least, and not get pinned right away," he said.
Really pushing his athletic output for the first time in a few months, since football season ended, Moroso overcame a brief stop in the washroom, vomiting after his first match, moving on to capture the 64kg division.

"I wouldn't have done well without the coaching staff (Doyle Swan)," said Moroso. "I've been working on my ground moves. Usually, I am better on my feet with takedowns, but coach was watching the other wrestlers and told me what I had to do to counteract their moves."

A black belt in karate at the Benoits Martial Arts, Moroso acknowledged that understanding how to maintain a properly balanced stance, whether in karate or wrestling, is key.

"If I am in a weak stance, I can be pushed over very easily."

As it turns out, neither Moroso nor Tessier were pushovers, with both wrestlers looking to continue their development through to the city championships on Feb. 5 at St. Benedict.

Following is a listing of the winners in each weight class from The Boot, with Macdonald-Cartier taking home the coveted team championship:

Girls Divisions
47.5 kg - Cheyenne Ziegler (Confederation)
51 kg - Erica Turcotte (Sudbury Secondary)
54 kg - Trinity Antoine (Sacré-Coeur)
57.5 kg - Diana Davies (Sudbury Secondary)
64 kg - Emilie Charette (Sacré-Coeur)
67.5 kg - Jennifer Brosseau (ESMC)
77 kg - Charlene Lapointe (Confederation)
83 kg - Safiyyah Briggs (Sudbury Secondary)
100 kg - Rachel El-Dorazi (Confederation)

Boys Divisions
44 kg - Declan Eldrige (Lo-Ellen)
54 kg - Michael Dupuis (Lasalle)
57.5 kg - Jared Lafond (ESMC)
61 kg - Eric Tessier (ESMC)
64 kg - Michael Moroso (St Benedict)
67.5 kg - Ethan Draper (ESMC)
72 kg - Steven Sagle (ESMC)
77 kg - Daniel Fleming (Lasalle)
83 kg - Logan Baronette (Lasalle)
89 kg - Franck Shue Atoh (Sacré-Coeur)
95 kg - Tyler Northfield (Sudbury Secondary)
100 kg - Kole Paulin (Lasalle)

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