The Mt. Hope wrestling team is jam packed with talented grapplers this season as they begin another campaign towards a crack at the state title. None are more excited than head coach Ryan Fazzi who stacked his coaching room with a slew of experienced former wrestlers.

“We are shooting for the top We have a ton of good wrestlers and I brought in a lot of talented coaches,” he said recently at the team’s annual Sharon Lombardo Tournament where the team took third place. “We have a lot of talent in the room. There’s going to be a lot of good things coming out of Mt. Hope this season. Just you wait dude.”

Coach Fazzi’s staff includes Brad Oliver, Trevor King, Doug Sampson and Carson Correia. The team is full of studs and at the top of the list is 144 pound junior Andrew McCarthy who is seeking his first state title after falling short the last two seasons.

The athletic McCarthy pinned all his opponents, took first place at his weight class and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament. Thus far he is undefeated through the Huskies first three matches.

Andrew is fantastic,” said Coach Fazzi. “He’s clearly the best at his weight class. He does all of the right things in terms of diet, sleep, training and nutrition and he’s getting after it, this season.”

The Huskies are as deep as they have been since they won the state championship under Eric Francis in 2021. Though the team is 1-2 to start the season, they have their eye on the prize at the state tournament in March 2024. At the Lombardo tournament, five Mt. Hope wrestlers placed second. Sophomore Michael Siravo at 106 pounds, junior Ethan Martel at 132 pounds, freshman Matt Thibaudeau at 138 pounds, senior James Thibaudeau at 150 pounds and senior Ethan Delehanty at 175 pounds.

Siravo who wrestled at TollGate last season and transferred to Mt. Hope over the summer, gives the Huskies a solid wrestler at 106 pounds. “Michael looks very, very good for his weight class,” said Coach Fazzi. “He’s doing awesome. We finally have a consistent wrestler at 106.”

Martel, who played quarterback for the football team, is back and healthy at 132 pounds. He is one of the team’s strong leaders on the mat.

“He’s so big for that weight class,” Coach Fazzi said. “He’s a warrior. I am more than happy to have him as our captain.”

Matt Thibaudeau, a freshman, joins his brother James, a hard working talented wrestler who leads by example.

“We have two members of the legendary Thibaudeau family on the team, said Coach Fazzi. “Matt is just like the rest of them. Very scrappy and very strong. We love him at 138 pounds, where he can use his strength and power. He has no fear, he’ll go after anybody.”

“James is looking great at 150 pounds. He’s a work horse and he has that workman like style. He grinds and he pushes all his teammates,” he said.

Delehanty at 175 pounds is a big plus for the team. He wrestled for the Huskies his freshman and sophomore years, then moved to North Kingstown last season and now he’s back for his senior year.

“Ethan is beyond strong,” Coach Fazzi said. “His power is unreal and he’s a soldier. He listens to everything we say. 175 pounds is an awesome weight class for him. He’s way too strong for all of his opponents.”

Lombardi and Sylvia place third, Rogers Fourth

Freshman Anthony Lombardi at 126 pounds and sophomore Jonathan Sylvia wrestling at 120 pounds both placed third at the tournament. Freshman Nicholas Rogers placed fourth at 165 pounds.

Coach Fazzi has high expectations for his young wrestlers.

“Anthony is really, really fun to watch,” he said. “He absorbs everything that we teach him. He’s getting better every day. Jonathan is shaking some rust off. He wrestled with Eric Francis at KMS and we expect a lot of good things from him.”

Rogers is the most well known member of the freshmen class amongst his peers, according to Coach Fazzi.

“Nick is super athletic and freaking poised. He’s so lengthy which is good for the weight class,” he said. “We are going to work some technique with him, but we expect a lot of great things from him.”

Tavares places fifth, Squatritto, Farias and Moniz each place sixth

Mason Tavares placed fifth at the tournament at 215 pounds. Aidan Squatritto wrestling at 132 pounds, Arion Farias at 113 pounds and Sebastian Moniz at 157 pounds each placed sixth.

Tavares wrestled behind Atley Jenness and Pat Pitts both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Then was out due to injury his junior year. Now he’s finally healthy as a senior and looking to make some noise at 215 pounds as is Brian Conway who wrestled well during the tournament.

“He’s a guy to keep an eye on. He’s a dark horse,” said Coach Fazzi.

The Huskies waiting to get a few wrestlers back to shore up a few spots in the lineup. Derek Case and Ben Martel are both due to come back from injuries and will vie for the heavyweight slot with sophomore Quentin Smith.

Coach Fazzi is also hoping to get sophomore Michael Bouchard, who wrestled well in the summer, back in the fold at 113 pounds.

“He’s incredibly strong and talented. He’s made some strides both academically and in his personal life. Once his grades get up and he’s back in here, he’ll be unbeatable. It would be a major swing for us.”