2019 All State

Winning a state championship and being named Outstanding Wrestler at the state meet was just the beginning for Fry. He went on to capture a New England title and staked his claim as one of the top wrestlers in the country at the NHSCA High School Nationals. Fry tested himself against more top talent and came out a winner again, bringing home a championship in the Junior division.

Tim Cook, Ponaganset, 113 pounds

The Chieftains have emerged as a factor at the state and regional scenes over the last two seasons because of performers like Cook. The sophomore recorded a pinfall victory for his first Interscholastic League title and helped Ponaganset to a runner-up finish at the state meet.

Andrew Fallon, Hendricken, 120 pounds

The state team champions boasted a handful of outstanding performers, and Fallon took a back seat to none of them. He racked up state and New England crowns at 120 pounds before dropping a weight class in advance of the NHSCA High School Nationals. Fallon advanced to the semifinals in the 113-pound Junior division, earning All-American status.

Nathan Williams, Hendricken, 126 pounds

The Hawks were dominant in the lower weight classes this season, and Williams was right in the middle of the strongest part of their lineup. He produced a shutout decision victory in the state title match at 126 pounds and went on to claim fourth place at the New England championships. Hendricken used points scored by the likes of Williams to claim the runner-up spot as a team at New Englands.

Mason Clarke, Coventry, 132 pounds

The Oakers are among the state’s premier wrestling brands, and Clarke is one of their latest batch of two-time champions. He controlled the 132-pound weight class throughout the season, helping Coventry to a fifth-place finish at the state tournament. His third-place finish at the New England championships mirrored the team’s effort, as the Oakers moved up two spots against the regional field.

Nicholas Fine, Hendricken, 138 pounds

Few wrestlers in the state this season developed more rapidly than Fine. A state runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman, Fine made his second season a memorable one by capturing a state championship and helping the Hawks to their latest team crown. He claimed fourth place at the New England championships and reached the semifinals in the Sophomore division at the NHSCA High School Nationals.

Sean Caltagirone, Coventry, 145 pounds

Caltagirone started and ended his high school career in the same fashion — as a state champion. His early work came at 106 pounds, but the senior grew into Rhode Island’s premier talent at 145 pounds this winter. He also finished second at the New England championships, helping the Oakers to third place in the team standings.

Dominic Bonanno, Chariho, 152 pounds

The Chargers are annually among the state’s team contenders due to the development of wrestlers like Bonanno. His 2-1 victory in the 152-pound final was indicative of the toughness Chariho employed to tie Cumberland for third place at the two-day state meet.

Ayomide Onajide, Hope, 160 pounds

Onajide grabbed the final place on the 160-pound state podium last season, finishing sixth overall. It’s safe to say he improved considerably over the course of a year, taking the top spot this year to close out his career with the Blue Wave. Onajide scored an 11-6 victory in the 160-pound title bout that was voted the Most Outstanding Match of the finals.

Ben Dougherty, Chariho, 170 pounds

Dougherty made program history by becoming just the third two-time state champion for the Chargers. He bumped up from the 160-pound weight class to top the 170-pound ranks, scoring a technical fall while dominating his finals match. Dougherty went on to claim a silver medal at the New England championships.

Cory Grifka, Mt. Hope, 182 pounds

Rare is the young wrestler who possesses the combination of physical strength and technical ability to dominate older, stronger peers in the upper weight classes. But Grifka is such a talent, finishing runner-up at 160 pounds last season and breaking through for his first title with the Huskies this winter. Grifka went on to finish runner-up at the New England championships.

Tyler Riggs, Ponaganset, 195 pounds

Now a three-time state finalist and a two-time champion, Riggs enjoyed a superb high school career with the Chieftains. He repeated as the 195-pound king this winter and helped Ponaganset to a runner-up team finish while attempting to defend its 2017-18 crown. Riggs also exits with a New England bronze medal to his name, one he earned as a junior.

Luke Cirka, Ponaganset, 220 pounds

The Chieftains captured state and New England team titles last season, but Cirka endured some personal disappointment by losing in overtime of the 220-pound title bout. Fast-forward one season and the script was flipped, as Cirka recorded a pin in the third period to reach the podium’s top step. Ponaganset finished in second place in the team standings.

Edison Guarcas, Hope, 285 pounds

The state’s top big man for the second straight season, Guarcas endured a grueling finals match to defend his crown. The Blue Wave standout battled to an 8-6 decision victory, adding to the pinfall he scored the year before to earn his spot atop Rhode Island’s heavyweight ranks.