Wrestling Report: Musante wins national titles for Napa club

By Register Staff

Members of the Napa Sheriff’s/Napa Valley Wrestling Club participated in the ASICS U.S. National Wrestling Championships last weekend at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Four wrestlers competed against U.S. and international athletes from France, Bulgaria, Russia and Italy. The top four placers qualified to advance to the World Team Trials to be held in May.

Robert Musante, who also coaches with the club, won the national title in the Greco-Roman 214-pound division. In the round robin format, Musante won by overall points, including a pin over Paul Still of Riverside. In the freestyle division, Musante secured his second national championship of the weekend with a pair of pins en route to his first-place finish.

Another club coach, Eric Jones, competed in his first national event. Jones captured fifth place in the 187-pound division, including a pin along the way. Jones also wrestled well in the Greco-Roman division but did not place.

John Arrambide (145.5) and Sam Rodriguez (185) competed in the Fila Junior Division, which is comprised of college age students with most competitors at the Junior and Senior level. The two recent Vintage High School graduates performed impressively against collegiate and military opponents, though neither placed.

Two champions from this years ASICS Napa Valley Girls Classic, Marina Piccolotti and Samantha Phillips, also won national championships at the event. Both women are considered potential Olympians.

“This just shows how not only our wrestlers from Napa can stand out at the national level, but the level of competition we draw to our women’s tournament at Vintage,” said Jim Lanterman, a coach for both the wrestling club and Vintage High School. “I’m proud of every single one of them.”

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