The Cranston East wrestling team has enjoyed a big season as it entered the week with a perfect 8-0 record and the favorite to take home the Division III title. The Bolts are also looking to make some noise at the upcoming Division II/III Championships and possibly send grapplers to the state championships later this month in Providence.
Leading the way for East has been the team’s lone senior in Aquaves Roberson. Roberson has won all but one match this winter and is aiming for a title in the DII/DIII tournament and reaching the podium at states.
“He’s been reliable and a few of our matches have come down to him getting the win. He’s been one of those guys that the weight on his shoulders really doesn’t bother him. I have really high hopes for him and he can be in the top two or three, be in the finals and maybe even win the DII/III championship. At states, he’ll have a chance to place and maybe he can surprise some people and go to New Englands,” said East coach Ruben Rey.
East has been rebuilding its program the last few seasons after taking a hit during the pandemic. The Bolts had a breakout season last year when it finished 8-3 in the division and is on track to take another step forward this time around. Although the team will be graduating Roberson, it will be returning a large junior class next season including guys like Sean Mendonca, Kevin Zulu and Cameron Boulanger on the roster.
“If we stay on the steady line that we’ve been on, things will be good,” said Rey. “Most of the kids that we’ve been pulling in have wrestled club or middle school. It’s a tough climb, but if we can consistently be in the top of DIII and win it, we’ll be satisfied.”