Grappling Stars From Tewksbury's Past Gather for Benefit Exhibition

A visitor taking a quick look to around the wrestling mats at the Wynn School last Friday night could see just one thing.

Champions.

League champs, Sectional champs, State champs and New England champs.

The men who surrounded those mats last week had collected enough hardware over the years to start their own Home Depot franchise.

The men, whose names are just some of those that adorn the Tewksbury Wrestling Wall of Honor in the Wynn gym, were gathered for the Tewksbury Alumni Wrestling Tournament. the event serves as a fundraiser for Redmen Wrestling, the outstanding feeder system for the TMHS program.

Among those participating was David Shunamon, perhaps the most highly decorated wrestler in Redmen history. Shunamon was a three-time state champ, a two-time New England champ, as well as a Division 1 All-America at Edinboro University.

Also hitting the mats was current Tewksbury High wrestling and football coach Brian Alyward.

Other participants included:

• Mark Donovan
• Steve Kasprzak
• Al Donovan
• Tim Davidian
• J.P. Geary
• Stephen O'Keefe
• Joe Carr
• Michael Altavesta
• Gardner Hague
• James Ramsdell
• Chris Byrne
• Michael Willey
• Michael Donovan
• Jimmy Torpey
• Jack Byrne
• John O'Keefe

In addition to the wrestling matches, which were competed for fun and bragging rights, the also drew the winners of its big cash raffle.

John Voto, director of Redmen Wrestling, invited Steve Levine to draw the winning tickets. Levine, longtime coach of the Tewksbury High boys soccer and boys track programs, is retiring at the end of the school year.

The winner of the $5000 top prize was Dave French. Dave Wright won the $1000 second prize and Katie Doran won the $500 third prize.

Editor Bill Gilman was on hand to capture these photos and video clips from the event.