Morning Sentinel
Gardiner sophomore continues to dominate on the wrestling mat
BY TERRY DEVEREAUX
Correspondent Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 03/16/2008

BY TERRY DEVEREAUX

Correspondent

Following up on a freshman season that included a 35-0 in-state record and a state championship might have seemed like a tough task, but for Gardiner Area High School wrestling standout Matt DelGallo, his sophomore year was more of the same.

DelGallo once again cruised through the season undefeated, wrestling mainly in the 119-pound class before dropping to 112 pounds for the end of season tournaments. DelGallo won the Tiger Invitational, Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference and Eastern A tournaments on the way to his second consecutive state championship at 112 pounds.

In the Class A state tournament championship finals, he cruised to the championship finals with a pin and a technical fall (15 point margin of victory) in two preliminary bouts.

The finals match was anticipated to be a dogfight between two defending state champions -- DelGallo and last season's 103-pound champion, Dalton Groeger of Bonny Eagle. Instead, DelGallo ran up a 22-6 score and won by technical fall.

For his performance, DelGallo was named the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler by coaches and referees. DelGallo had also won the Outstanding Wrestler award as a freshman.

His in-season record stood at 41-0 to bring his career mark to 75-0.

For his outstanding success on the mat, DelGallo has been named the Kennebec Journal Wrestler of the Year. DelGallo also won the award last year.

In March, DelGallo added another medal to his collection by placing fifth at the New England Wrestling Championships. The New England tournament field is composed of the top finishers from each of the six New England states. Each weight class has 23 entrants. DelGallo advanced to the semifinals by beating Massachusetts' Connor David (7-6 decision) and Connecticut's West Johnson (14-10 decision), before losing to eventual champion Brandon Gauthier of Massachusetts by an 11-4 margin.

DelGallo wrestled back in the consolation bracket and once again beat Johnson in the fifth-place match.

DelGallo was one of only two sophomores from Maine to place in the top six at the tournament.

Despite his huge success, DelGallo says that competing against the elite wrestlers at the New England tournament has made him aware of his own weaknesses.

"Everyone down there does leg rides and I'm not good at getting out of them," he said. "I also have to develop better takedowns."

Gardiner coach Matt Hanley agrees with DelGallo's self-assessment.

"Matt has great natural ability, he is extremely strong and has great balance," Hanley said. "But to get to a higher level, he needs to improve on those two areas."

DelGallo's background in both powerlifting and gymnastics has contributed to his strength and balance.

Hanley also feels that upgrading the current Gardiner competition schedule would help DelGallo get ready for future New England tournaments.

"We should probably get back into the Noble Tournament, so Matt can see some out-of-state kids and the southern Maine competition," he said.

Close to 30 schools compete at the Noble Tournament and it is regarded as one of the toughest tournaments in Maine.

DelGallo's overall career record is 79-4 and if he continues on his current pace, he should break the Gardiner all-time win record of 118 sometime late next season.

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