Influx of freshmen fuel Trojans' program

BY CHARLES ROTHWELL
Nov. 30, 2009, 10:35 p.m.

   Head coach Anthony Salciccioli will be assisted this year by John Clarey, Ryan Smith and Osama Musleh. Coach Musleh is a former state qualifier from Southgate Anderson in his first year with Clarenceville.

  Last season was a disappointment for the Trojans. Injury and illness depleted the team. Clarenceville had to void multiple weights, and kids that could wrestle were often less effective than the previous year. Only nine Trojans competed in the post-season individual tournament and only two made it to regionals.

  More than half the wrestlers from last year's team will not be returning. Graduating were Jake Ruth (regional qualifier at 125 pounds), Patrick Walker (140), Cody Sillanpaa (140), Derek Robbins (regional qualifier, 171), Andrew Jasmer (189) and Joe Haapalaa (215). Deciding not to return are juniors Brent Gilman (119) and Tim Siecinski (171). This will leave Clarenceville with no seniors and very few experienced wrestlers.

  The best news for the Trojans' program is that 11 freshmen have decided to give wrestling a shot. That brings the total number of wrestlers up to 22. Distribution by weight is also pretty good so that with a little bumping up, Clarenceville should be able to fill all 14 weight classes.

  Below is the projected Trojan varsity line-up:

103 - Michael Weiss, freshman;
112 - Shane Martin, freshman;
119 - Brad Martin, sophomore;
125 - Daniel Mrljak, junior;
130 - Chris Edwards, freshman;
135 - Aaron Bibik, freshman;
140 - Coy Sillanpaa, junior;
145 - R.J. Haynes, sophomore;
152 - Brendan Groves, junior;
160 - Alec Jones, freshman;
171 - Justin Carl, freshman;
189 - Travis Edwards, junior;
215 - Jeremy Smith, junior;
285 - Anthony Giordano, junior.

  The focus of the Clarenceville coaching staff will be on teaching fundamentals, establishing strong work ethic in the room, and cultivating a positive mental approach for success on the mat and in the classroom.

  To help achieve the latter, coach Salciccioli has instituted mandatory daily study sessions. With a student-coach ratio of approximately 5-to-1. Clarenceville has the potential of showing nice improvement during the season.