The East Providence High School wrestling team made the most of its abbreviated and unusual spring season the past few months, competing from April to June rather than its common winter schedule because of the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Townies, as well, had a smaller squad than normal, finishing the year with just 10 athletes on the roster and only eight healthy bodies. Through it all, however, long time head coach Tom Galligan said he was pleased with the performance an attitude shown by his wrestlers.

“It’s been a very good season all things considering,” said Galligan. “We usually start the season with 35 kids or so, but this year we started with 15. We didn’t get a lot of freshmen to come out because of the situation, but hopefully next year with the new school and things settling down we’ll get back to the same number of kids we usually have.”

Sophomore Robbie Anderson vied at 195 pounds, senior Kianu Duarte at heavyweight, sophomore Jacob Francis at 182, freshman Matthew Marlow at 126, sophomore Martim Moniz at 120, freshman Simon Palumbo at 132, sophomore Jacob Poore at 152 and junior Quincy Silva also at heavyweight. Junior Hayden Decristofaro-Duquette (132) and sophomore Michael Robinson (145) were injured at the end of the year.

“The kids worked hard. We just don’t have the numbers, but there were quite a few teams in the state in the same situation,” said Galligan. “We weren’t feeling sorry for ourselves. We came to practice every day working hard and trying to get better. I told the kids the other day that I give them a ton of credit for what they’ve done this year with like I said all the craziness that’s gone on.”

Silva provided the EPHS contingent with its top highlight to conclude the season last weekend at the state varsity/junior varsity and freshmen meet run concurrently Saturday, June 26, at the Providence Career and Tech Academy Fieldhouse.

Silva won the JV/freshmen state title at 228 pounds, opening with a pin of Classical’s Anthony Guarces two minutes into his first match then earning a 2-1 decision over Pilgrim’s Andrew Arsenault before claiming the weight class with a pin of Hope’s Denilo Andrade-Semedo at 2:54.

Mt. Hope captured the first varsity team title in school history with 197 points. Hendricken was second with 176 and Ponaganset third with 167. The Townies accumulated 10 points. Amaral won his opening match at 195 by pin in 2:28 before dropping his next two. Duarte earned a 5-3 decision after falling into the consolation bracket before losing and being eliminated from the competition. And Poore, like Amaral, took his first outing by pin in 37 seconds, but lost his next two.

“Obviously with all that’s gone on with the situation, it’s been a crazy year. I’m just happy for kids that they got a chance to compete,” Galligan added. “They worked hard and I think they were happy to be here and just to have the season. I’m really proud of them for sticking it out with everything that’s gone on.”

— East Providence Post and eastbayri.com contributing photographer Jen Campisi shot the accompanying gallery of photos.