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1993 All State

FIRST TEAM

103 - Craig Garrett, Pilgrim

112 - Keith Bilotti, Bristol

119 - Jay Almeida, Warwick Vets

125 - Pete Farnsworth, East Providence

130 - Dan Burgjohan, Coventry

135 - Jamie Procter, Cumberland

140 - John Pezza, Hendricken

145 - Brad Oliver, Bristol

152 - Jim McKenna, Bristol

160 - Rod Poland, Cranston East

171 - Chris Faris, Bristol

189 - Bill Brzoza, Coventry

275 - Ed Jenks, Coventry

SECOND TEAM

103 - Chhy Mao, Coventry

112 - Aaron Becker, Coventry

119 - Jeff O'Brien, Cumberland

125 - Josh Whorf, Pilgrim

130 - Geoff Hoopis, Cranston East

135 - Steve Burnham, Burrillville

140 - Maurice Briggs, Central

145 - Mike Pappas, Hendricken

152 - Marty Walton, Central

160 - Mike Pettella, Cumberland

171 - Tijuan Brown, Hope

189 - Arthur Saribekian, Cranston East

275 - Rich Collum, Bristol

Craig Garrett, Pilgrim, 103 pounds

Craig Garrett pulled off the surprise of the state tournament when he upset Chhy Mao of Coventry in the finals. For that performance, Garrett was voted the tournament's outstanding wrestler. The Pilgrim senior compiled a 29-3 record, which included 22 pins, and was unbeaten in Class B dual meets. He expects to enter the Coast Guard after graduation.

Keith Bilotti, Bristol, 112 pounds
Keith Bilotti of Bristol, a repeat state champion, was the 103-pound champ as a sophomore last year. "Spud," as he is called by his teammates, captured four individual titles this year and won 34 of his 37 bouts. Technically, Bilotti was outstanding on his feet and good at takedowns. He seldom made mistakes and always knew what to do at the right time.

Jay Almeida, Warwick, 119 pounds
Jay Almeida of Warwick came on strong at the end of the season, especially in the state tournament where he recorded pins in the semifinals and finals. The pin for his first state crown came with three seconds left and the score tied, 5-5. Good on his feet, Almeida went on and won two of four bouts at the New England tournament. His overall record was 32-5.

Pete Farnsworth, East Providence, 125 pounds
Pete Farnsworth is a two-time champion at this weight. The East Providence junior compiled a two-year, won-lost record of 73-4 and was 37-2 this season. His strengths include great body balance and an incredible desire to win. Next year Farnsworth will attend Blair Academy in Blairsfield, N.J., which has won the national prep-school wrestling title 12 straight years.

Dan Burgjohan, Coventry, 130 pounds
Dan Burgjohan surprised many with his performance this year. The Coventry senior, in his first year of varsity wrestling, wasn't expected to win titles. He started slowly but gained confidence and went on to a 26-6 record and a sixth-place finish at the New England tournament. His victory in the state meet clinched Coventry's 12th consecutive R.I. title.

Jamie Proctor, Cumberland, 135 pounds
Jamie Proctor of Cumberland won four individual titles, including his first state championship. He reached the New England semifinals, where he lost a heart-breaking overtime decision and eventually finished fifth. A very basic wrestler, Proctor possessed deceiving strength and was tenacious on top. He lost only one Rhode Island match.

John Pezza, Hendricken, 140 pounds
John Pezza of Hendricken completed a sensational season by finishing second at the New England's after winning his second consecutive state title. Pezza's 32-2 record included 20 pins. Great on takedowns, the senior never backed up and was relentless in pursuing his opponent. Pezza will attend Boston College this fall and is interested in dentistry.

Brad Oliver, Bristol, 145 pounds
Brad Oliver of Bristol peaked at the end of the season and captured his first state title. A year ago Oliver reached the finals of the 130-pound class but lost to John Pezza of Hendricken. Two years ago as a freshman Oliver was the 125-pound state champ. This year, at 145, he beat opponents on his feet and scored off their mistakes, compiling a 31-5 record.

Jim McKenna, Bristol, 152 pounds
Jim McKenna, after runnerup performances for Bristol in wrestling and soccer, reached the gold. He was the top R.I. wrestler and among the best on the East Coast. His 43-0 record with 29 pins led to 8 individual titles, including his first R.I. and N.E. crowns and the 152-pound title at the Tournament of Champions in New Jersey. He manhandled opponents and was taken down only once.

Rod Poland, Cranston East, 160 pounds
Rod Poland of Cranston East, like Bristol's Jim McKenna, excelled at putting away opponents. His strength kept them from escaping. Once he got on top, there was little his opponent could do. Poland finished the season with a 38-3 record, which included 26 pins. He hopes to attend Rhode Island College in the fall.

Chris Faris, Bristol, 171 pounds
Chris Faris had the will to win in the final seconds of his exciting R.I. title bout with Hope's then-unbeaten Tjuan Brown. Trailing, 4-3, Faris scored two points with 30 seconds left for a 5-4 victory. Injuries had kept the Bristol senior from placing in previous state tourneys. In this, his first injury-free season, he compiled a 36-3 record with 22 pins.

Bill Brzoza, Coventry, 189 pounds
Bill Brzoza of Coventry is a two-time state champion in his weight class. In his third season as a wrestler, the Oaker senior piled up a 28-2 record and finished second in the New England tourney. Of his victories, 24 came when the referee slammed the mat, signaling a pin. His six dual-meet bouts lasted only a total of 4 minutes, 30 seconds.

Ed Jencks, Coventry, Heavyweight
Ed Jencks of Coventry, a 265-pound junior who was runnerup last year, won both the state and New England crowns. A good counter wrestler, noted for his defensive tactics, the 5-10 Jencks improved his offensive moves and excelled at the single-leg takedown. More importantly, his increased confidence helped him relax during competition.

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