A Final Shift on the Ice: Tributes for Hall of Fame Hockey Coach ‘Muzzy’

February 4, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont High captains Dave Bailey (left) and Trey Butler with retired coach Dante Muzzioli.

Just before the puck was dropped to start Saturday afternoon’s contest between Belmont and Arlington in the aging Skip Viglirolo Skating Rink, Dante Muzzioli arrived at his familiar spot on the right-side “home” bench as he had for nearly fifty years, first as a 13-year-old youth player, then an assistant and finally as head coach of the Belmont High School Marauders

But on this spring-like afternoon, Muzzioli wasn’t holding a stick or game program in his hands but instead was carrying his first grandchild, James Sabo, as he stepped on the ice.

This past Saturday, Jan. 30, “Muzzy” was honored on home ice, for the years spent as coach and mentor to the hundreds of student-athletes under his wing.

With his wife, Janet, daughters – Krista, Simone and Leah Sabo – and extended family with him on the ice, Muzzioli’s accomplishments were announced and they are impressive: 30 years as head coach and a member of the Massachusetts State High School Ice Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame. There were more than 300 wins, two consecutive Super 8 appearances, a pair of Middlesex League titles, numerous times in the MIAA Division 1 state tournament and the volunteer work he and his teams performed throughout the town, from helping offload Christmas trees for Belmont Lions Club to working with Toys for Tots and Wreaths Across America.

But his greatest achievement is not found in facts or figures, wins or loses, said Muzzioli.

“Some teams have won the league and participated in the Super 8 Tournament; others may have found the wins few and far between. In the end, they all blend together and it’s the relationships and memories along the way that I will cherish for a lifetime,” he said.

After receiving a plaque and a framed jersey from Belmont’s team captains, a coaches jacket from Belmont Athletic Director Jim Davis, flowers for his wife, a proclamation and words of appreciation from the Board of Selectmen and a standing ovation from the assembled spectators and his countless friends, Muzzioli – a successful businessman, contractor, developer and recently, ice cream shop entrepreneur – said that “[i]t’s all about the memories … they stay deep embedded in your heart forever.”

Independent? Maybe Not! Know Before You Vote March 1 in Presidential Primary

February 3, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Voting in Belmont.

Belmont voters will cast their first ballot in 2016 Election Cycle on Tuesday, March 1 in the Presidential Primary Election. But just because you’re a registered voter doesn’t mean you can take any ballot that’s available.

Ellen Cushman, Belmont’s Town Clerk, reminds residents the deadline to register to vote in the Presidential Primary is Wednesday, Feb. 10. The Town Clerk’s office is open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m. on Feb. 10 for walk-in voter registration.

Because March 1 is a primary election, a voter who is a member of one of the four Massachusetts political parties – Democratic, Republican, Green-Rainbow and United Independent Party – can only vote with that party’s ballot. A Democrat cannot take a Republican ballot, and a Republican cannot take a Democratic one.

Feb. 10 is also the deadline for registered voters who wish to change their party enrollment either to another party or to “unenrolled,” which is commonly referred to as “independent.” This should not be confused with the United Independent Party (UIP); a party that will have ballots available but with no candidates printed on them.

While “unenrolled” voters or voters enrolled in political designations – let’s say the Pirate or Pizza parties – can ask for any party ballot on Primary Day, voters registered in UIP will NOT be eligible to take a Democratic, Republican or Green-Rainbow ballot.

And it’s likely some Belmont residents may have inadvertently joined UIP as nearly 50 voters are registered as members of this fairly obscure outfit.

“With spirited contests in both parties, pervasive advertising and intense coverage in early primary states, some voters may want to vote for a candidate in a different party from the one they are registered in now,” said Cushman.

Residents who are United States citizens, reside in Massachusetts, and who will be at least 18 years old on or before March 1 are eligible to register to vote. Those meeting these qualifications who have a Massachusetts Driver’s License can submit their registration online. Those registering by mail should have their form hand-canceled by the Post Office to ensure it is postmarked before the deadline.

To find information about your current voter registration, visit the Massachusetts Secretary of State office or visit the Town Clerk’s web page, (and select Town Clerk/Elections: Register) to vote or check your voter status.

See the Conquering Hero: Pizzi’s Parade Through Belmont Thursday

February 3, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Becca Pizzi.

Welcome home, Becca.

The first American woman to both complete and win the World Marathon Challenge – which consists of running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days – Becca Pizzi will be feted with her very own parade and celebration in her Belmont hometown on Thursday, Feb. 4 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Pizzi and her daughter, Taylor, will ride on top of a fire truck from Belmont High School to Belmont Center accompanied by the Belmont High School Marching Band and local youth sports teams.

Pizzi will arrive at the Belmont Center headquarters of parade sponsor Belmont Savings Bank where she will join town and bank officials before addressing and have photos taken with her fans and residents.

At the World Marathon Challenge, Becca finished with the best time in the women’s group in each of the marathons, averaging the third best time overall for runners, male or female.

Food will be provided, and music will be performed in the bank.

Vote On Proposed Hotel Delayed Until March Due to Paperwork Snafu

February 2, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker 1 Comment

Photo: Developer Michael Colomba and his architect Andy Rojas before the ZBA.

To the disappointment of two dozen residents who ventured out Monday night, Feb. 1, to cheer or jeer a proposed new hotel at the corner of Pleasant Street and Brighton Avenue, the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals decided to delay by a month acting on the request of a Waltham developer seeking several zoning waivers because he and his team didn’t get their “homework” to the board in a timely manner.

Several ZBA members were a bit ticked off to receive a thick packet of documents including a traffic study just days before the meeting on a subject that is garnering a great deal of interest.

“I object opening this case and to have a public hearing on it,” said ZBA member Nicholas Iannuzzi, noting he did not have time to analyze the case or the traffic study on how many daily “trips” a hotel would generate.

ZBA Chair Eric Smith agreed that he and others received the document packet “quite late” after Jan. 22 and suggested developer Michael Colomba and his team make an introductory informational meeting for the board and residents.

The formal public meeting on the proposed hotel development will be part of the board’s March 7 agenda.

Former Belmont Selectman Andy Rojas, the project’s architect, presented an overview of the project, renovating the two-building, two-story structure at 334 Pleasant St. – the former Mini Mart convenience store and offices – and opening a boutique hotel consisting of 18 guest rooms, a cafe for guests, a fitness room, a business center and management offices on the 14,400 sq.-ft. site.

The building’s exterior will not be altered significantly in an attempt to “express Belmont’s agrarian history.”

Rojas said the hotel would have less impact on local traffic than what can operate on the site “as right” (without needing any zoning change) including a retail store, and will generate tax revenue from lodging and meals “without having an impact on the schools.”

“This is a much quieter use and will be a quiet neighbor” to the surrounding community, said Rojas.

Colomba, who purchased the property last year, said he rented rooms “to a lot of people visiting Belmont” at his first hotel, the Crescent Suite Hotel in Waltham, whether it was for a funeral, graduation parties or visiting patients in hospitals and believes there is a demand for “low key” European-style lodging: just a bedroom setting for people to rest and sleep during a stay.

ZBA members asked Colomba to bring his traffic expert to the next meeting. Smith also asked the team to have “an explanation how in your view how a hotel fits within the bylaw regardless of the merits of the proposal.”

“I’m asking them to convince the board why this rather than another use,” Smith said after the meeting.

For his part, Colomba told the Belmontonian after the meeting he understands why the ZBA will want to scrutinize the project “and we plan to follow as necessary their requests.”

If on March 7 the ZBA doesn’t agree with his belief that a hotel is the best use for the site, Colomba said his fall back plan is to lease the space to one of two firms that want to open a convenience store.

“But I really think that this is a very good venue and the town should consider it. I think it’s a win/win for everyone,” said Colomba.

This Week: Pizzi’s Parade Thursday, Hotel at the ZBA Monday, Cushing Village Tuesday

February 1, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Parade Thursday.

This week in government:

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hear the appeal for four special permits by a Waltham businessman who hopes to put a hotel at the corner of Pleasant and Brighton at the former location of Mini Mart. The fun starts at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 1 in the Belmont Art Gallery, third floor in the Homer Building off Moore Street in the Town Hall complex.
The Public Library Feasibility Committee will be holding its inaugural meeting where officers will be named and the overview of the process of having a new building or renovate the existing structure will be discussed. Hopes and dreams start here; Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room.
The Municipal Light Board will get an update from Belmont Goes Solar as well as discussing existing and new projects at Town Hall, Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.
It’s Ground Hog Day, Feb. 2, and it’s only appropriate that Cushing Village dominates the Planning Board‘s agenda as it has every day for the past decade. Do not be surprised if Bill Murray gives the developer’s side of why they won’t close on the municipal lot adjacent Trapelo Road. At Town Hall, 7 p.m.
The Belmont School Committee will discuss and vote on next school year’s Program of Studies and will hear the good news from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. At the Chenery beginning at 7 p.m., Ground Hog Day (Tuesday, Feb. 2).
The Board of Selectmen and the Warrant Committee are holding a joint meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. to discuss a proposed amendment to the new Minuteman Regional Agreement that will be before the Special Town Meeting next week.
The Capital Budget Committee meets right after Becca Pizzi’s parade at 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 4 to vote on the Minuteman Regional Agreement and discuss ongoing capital projects.

• Quarterly property taxes are due Monday, Feb. 1 by 4 p.m. at the Treasurer’s office in the Homer Building.

• Music & Movement with Rubi, a movement and music program recommended for ages 3 to 5 (but 2-year-olds are welcome) will be held in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room on Monday, Feb. 1 There will be two sessions: 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

• ESL Conversation Circle for beginners takes place on Monday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room.

• Girls Who Code will meet on Monday, Feb. 1 from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• Tuesday is story time at both of Belmont libraries.

Pre-School Story Time at the Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer-run library, at 10:30 a.m. Stories and crafts for children age 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must attend. Siblings may visit with adults. Registration is not required. The Benton Library is at the intersection of Oakley and Old Middlesex.
The Belmont Public Library on Concord Avenue will have preschool story time at 9:30 a.m.
Story Time for 2’s and 3’s is at 10:30 a.m.

• Staff from U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark’s office will be available for walk-in office hours at the Beech Street Center on Tuesday, Feb. 2 from noon to 1 p.m.

• The Beech Street Center will be holding a Chinese New Year Dance Demonstration on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 11:15 a.m. Come early for lunch and see a beautiful dance by the Center’s local performers in celebration of Chinese New Year, which occurs Feb. 8. Welcome the year of the monkey. Enjoy desserts from Chinatown after lunch. Cost: Free.

• Chenery Middle School students are invited to head over to the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room on Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., to do your homework while enjoying some hot chocolate. This is for middle schoolers only so high schoolers are on their own. This event is provided for free, thanks to the Friends of the Belmont Public Library.

• Sustainable Belmont will be meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room.

• Parents of Music Students will be holding a meeting in the Conference Room at Belmont High School at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 3.

• Belmont Historical Society will be holding its Board Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Claflin Room located in the Belmont Public Library.

• The Friends of the Belmont Public Library will be meeting on Thursday, Feb. 4. , from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the library’s Assembly Room.

• Belmont will come to a halt for a parade for Becca Pizzi, the first American women to finish and win the World Marathon Challenge, at 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4. The route will run from Belmont High School to Belmont Center ending at the Belmont Savings Bank for a presentation.

• If you love building with LEGOs, the LEGOs Club is for you. Kids in grades Kindergarten through 2nd grade will build with our LEGOs and we’ll put all the creations on display in the Children’s Room. The fun Thursday, Feb. 4, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the library’s Assembly Room.

• Everyone is invited to Chinese Storytime which takes place in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 0n Thursday, Feb. 4.

• Thursday, Feb. 4 is Jazz Night at Belmont High School as student musicians get to show their chops. In the auditorium at 7 p.m.

• An Art Exhibit Opening Reception will be held on Friday, Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. for the artists who gather at the Open Art Studio every Wednesday afternoon at Belmont Senior Center. The exhibit runs from Feb. 5 through Mar. 18 at the Center. Art works include pencil drawing; water color, pastel, oil paintings and photography. All are invited to an opening reception with snacks. Cost: Free.

• The Beech Street Center is hosting a talk on “When an EMT Visits at Your Home” this Friday, Feb. 5 at 1:15 p.m. How can you make your home ready for safe Fire Department access in case of an emergency? How can you share pertinent medical information quickly? Join Firefighter Ross Vona from the Belmont Fire Department to learn the answers to these questions and more. Cost: Free.

Sports: Belmont Girls’ Hoops Stumbles vs Arlington, Difficult Week Ahead

February 1, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Sophomore guard Alexa Sabatino heading to the basket against Arlingon home.

There is no better example of a team with a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde persona than Belmont High’s Girls’ Basketball team.

When on their side of the midcourt line, the Marauders’ are a ball-hawking defense that makes it difficult for (most) teams to set a good shot off, holding strong teams such as Woburn, Chelmsford, and Watertown below their season point average.

But cross the line into the opponent’s end and the team’s aggressiveness evaporates and a tentative, almost timid offense emerges with the growing tendency of coming way without even attempting a shot at the hoop. With the rare exception, open shots are deferred, and the ball is passed to a player in the paint where a slew of opponents are waiting.

Beginning with a lackluster loss to an average Wakefield team when Belmont was 7-2, Belmont has fallen to a ranked Watertown squad by 12 points despite being tied with the Raiders with 2 minutes and 30 seconds left in the game, and on Friday night, Jan. 29 dropping a home game in overtime, 56-52, to Arlington, a team Belmont easily dispatched, 48-31, early in the season.

Friday night’s loss wasted a career night from sophomore Alexa Sabatino (12 points) who scored came off the bench to spark the offense late in the game with two baskets (one off a beautiful putback of an offensive rebound) and 3 for 3 (8-8 in the game) from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to give Belmont a chance in the final minute of regular time.

Arlington was able to stick around through the work of senior center Mallory DeFeo (12 of her 17 points in a dominating first half as well as a three in the fourth) and junior guard Rosalie Flinn who scored 16 of her game-high 18 points in the second half and overtime.

On the other hand, Belmont would commit three 30-second violations – turning the ball over for not taking a shot – in the game while on four consecutive occasions in the third quarter, the team came away not having a shot at the basket, losing possession via turnovers or offensive fouls.

Belmont nearly pulled off the victory when Sabatino hit two from the charity stripe with 1:39 remaining in the fourth quarter to bring Belmont within one point, 46-47.

An outstanding defensive stance forced a traveling call against the SpyPonders with 50 seconds left on the clock gave the ball. The ball found freshman center Jess Giorgio (3 points) – playing significant minutes with senior forward Sarah Stewart forced to the bench – in the paint, and the 6-foot 9th grader posted up and drained a bucket with half a minute remaining, giving Belmont a one-point lead, 48-47.

Giorgio nearly won the game single-handedly with a perfectly timed block on the other end of the court. Unfortunately, the subsequent action saw Belmont foul Arlington’s Margaret Ammondson, who sank one of two to tie the game. A layup attempt by Belmont’s all-star guard Carly Christofori (11 points) was blocked as time ran out.

Knotted up at 52 with less than a minute in OT, Arlington’s Grace Caulo (12 points) drained a pair of free throws to give the SpyPonders a two-point lead. Lexington intercepted a Belmont inbounds pass with 17 seconds remaining, leaving the Marauders to wonder what-if.

Friday’s defeat leaves Belmont at 8-5 with games this week against undefeated and 6th-ranked Woburn away (a rematch which Belmont lost in the final second at home, 51-50) and home Friday against 12-4 Lexington.

The match will see the last visit to the Wenner by Minuteman senior Anna Kelly who two years ago dropped 52 points against the Marauders (the third highest point total by a high school girl in Massachusetts scholastic history) and score 27 points including four threes and double digits in assists in a 62-43 pummeling of Belmont earlier in the season.

Sold in Belmont: Hall of Famer Accounts for Biggest Sale for a Year

January 31, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker 4 Comments

Photo: Drone shot! 107 Marsh St. from 100 feet.

A recap of residential properties sold in the past seven-plus days in the “Town of Homes”:

64 Summit Rd. #1, Condo townhouse (2005). Sold: $1,425,000.

107 Marsh St., Mansion (2015). Sold: $3,250,000.

• 64 Summit Rd. #1, Condo townhouse (2005). Sold: $1,425,000. Listed at $1,495,000. Living area: 3,453 sq.-ft. 10 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 5 baths. On the market: 156 days.

• 107 Marsh St., Mansion (2015). Sold: $3,250,000. Listed at $3,650,000. Living area: 7,500 sq.-ft. 10 rooms, 5 bedrooms, 6 baths. On the market: 125 days.

As the average house sold in Belmont in the first month of 2016 has reached $999,999 (!), this past week saw the priciest homes in their category; a townhouse in the Woodlands across the road from Lone Tree Hill Conservation land that came in at a tad under one-and-a-half million dollars (it was sold new in 2005 for $1.3 so it was a wash for the original owners who have decamped to Florida) and that new Marsh Street mansion.

Where once stood a single-story, 2,500 sq.-ft. ranch now stands a gargantuan Colonial-inspired mansion on 2/3 acre of land. I can only guess the seller includes roller skates to the buyers so they can get around the place! Let’s say the “Tiny House” trend has not come to Belmont Hill. And you know its prominence in the home sales hierarchy as the promotional package includes a photo from a drone.

And I’ll let the broker describe the manse on Marsh:

This brand new grand estate is a stunning departure from the ordinary! Follow the winding streets and mature trees of Belmont Hill to a circular drive that paves the way to this authentic colonial. A gracious fireplace living room and formal dining room enhanced by spectacular millwork. The library/office has built in book shelves. The real joy of owning this home is the dramatic great room [Great Room?] and kitchen that open and extend onto a deck. Entertain in style in the great room with massive stone fireplace, bookcases and windows overlooking a scenic setting. Step out and off the deck to a patio with built[-]in outdoor grill. The 2nd [second] floor has a sun drenched family room with soaring ceilings. The master suite provides a soothing oasis of special conveniences including gas fireplace & [and] two walk-in closets. The master bath has double vanities and acoustic tub. The architecture detail found in older homes is epitomized in this upscale new home design in a stately neighborhood. CHALLENGES COMPARISON!

In brief, it’s big and faces south. It’s so “stunning” it no longer has a living room but a “dramatic great room,” – right out of the pages of Hilary Mantel’s “Wolf Hall”! (Well, maybe not THAT grand but it does have offsetting entry columns.) The master suite’s bathroom required a five-fixture connection, likely for the separate milk and wine faucets. All said, it’s actually aesthetically pleasing as it pushes out to the back although it does have dormers that looked thrown onto the roofline.

The Great Hall with heating grate.

And while royalty or Thomas Cromwell (probably) weren’t the buyers, it took one princely sum to be its owner: three and a quarter million dollars. That closing cost makes it the most expensive house sold in the “Town of Homes” for some time, slightly more than the house on Wellesley Road that sold for $3,092,500 in December or the Polaris House on Somerset that could only muster $2.3 million.

And there is an interesting back story to 107 Marsh. In 2002, the property was sold for $851,500 to a professor at a local business school who would soon be inducted into the Northeast Region of the American Accounting Association Hall of Fame. (The AAA – which is celebrating its centennial – is here to “promote worldwide excellence in accounting education, research and practice.”) If you do internal auditing, you’ve read this gentleman’s books.

According to records, the professors trust sold the property in June 2014 for $1.3 million to Keystone Luxury Estates LLC in Watertown. Soon after, the old ranch was blown up and the firm put down $685,000 to a well-known contractor to build the new grand house on the Marsh.

Looking a bit into Keystone, the only known asset of the company was the property and land at 107 Marsh. And who happens to be the manager and agent of the LLC that registered with the state two weeks before the sale? The professor who sold the house. So he sold the house to himself, used the proceeds – at incredibly low interest rate – to pay the contractor/architect and then dispose it for a cool million dollar profit.

And THAT’S why he’s in the Accounting Hall of Fame.

Sports: Belmont Boy’s Hoops Tops League Table Defeating Ranked Arlington,

January 30, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Justin Wagner scoring vs. Arlington.

A dominating third quarter by its three big men under the basket powered Belmont High School to the top of the Middlesex League Liberty Division after the Marauders defeated Arlington High School, 75-65, before a ruckus home crowd at the Wenner on Friday, Jan. 30.

Co-captain senior forward Justin Wagner scored 9 of his 14 points in the third as he and fellow forward Joe Shaughnessy (10 points with 6 in the final quarter) dictated play on both ends of the court, allowing Belmont to spring one-too-many fast breaks for the SpyPonders – ranked 9th in the latest Boston Globe basketball poll – to allow and stay with the Marauders as Belmont outscored the SpyPonders, 20-13, to extend its halftime margin from eight to 15 at the start of the final eight minutes.

The victory, revenge for the loss in December at Arlington (12-3) where Belmont (13-2) gave up a late lead for its first loss of the season, puts Belmont a game up in the race for the league championship.

“We kind of flipped the last game around in defense, rebounding and pounding them on the glass,” said Adam Pritchard, Belmont’s long-time head coach.

Lead by league all-star point guard Matt Kerans who finished with 20 points (including two threes, double-digit in assists and 8-8 from the line), Belmont stayed with the quick SpyPonders which used its quickness and opportunistic defense through the first quarter (15-14 Arlington lead) before a bucket by sophomore Tomas Dononyan (2 points) followed in quick succession by a pair of threes from junior guard Daron Hamparian (8 points) gave the Marauders a 24-17 lead with 5:30 to go in the half.

Belmont’s dominance under the basket was evident when on several occasions when the Marauders had multiple looks at the basket by grabbing the offensive bound, in one sequence, taking four than six shots at the hoop before making the bucket.

“There’s not doubt that our forwards are a big part of our game because it opens the court for Kerans and our guards,” said Pritchard.

The Marauders went into the break with a 38-30 lead followed a surging junior forward Paul Ramsey who scored 7 of his 16 points in the second, two nights from a 23 point performance against Watertown in a 69-60 victory.

Arlington could not muster a sustained challenge against the Marauders as Belmont matched every SpyPonder point run with one of its own. Arlington junior captain Colin McNamara scored nine of his team-high 20 in the fourth.

There remain parts of the team’s game that could use improving moving forward, said Pritchard.

“We have a big line-up but we have to handle full-court pressure and certainly must work on our rebounding and to be honest, we have to get healthy,” he said.

Sports: Young, Learning, Determined; Belmont Wrestling Laying a Solid Foundation

January 29, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

.Photo: Belmont High Head Wrestling Coach Ivan Lozano (right) and assistant Matt Curaj

“Shoot!” yelled Belmont High Head Wrestling Coach Ivan Lozano to the Belmont wrestler struggling to get an advantage over his Watertown competitor in the small gym at the Wenner Field House at Belmont High last week.

Lozano was directing his young freshman wrestler to dive toward the opponent’s legs, grab them and then dictate the action.

But whether it was inexperience, fatigue or just a lack of confidence, Lozano’s wrestler couldn’t commit to the bread-and-butter move. Soon after, the Watertown wrestler got on top of the Marauder and … “bang!” the referee slammed his hand to the mat indicating a pin against the Belmont grappler.

After the match, Lozano, and his assistant Matt Curran spent a moment with their defeated charge to review what he did well and leave him with some encouraging words on improving after another tough loss in a season that can best be called a learning experience.

While there is no getting over that his wrestlers still have some way to go “you always have to be positive because when he hears negative things on the mat, he’s going to be thinking negative,” said Lozano.

There has been an enormous number of times the opponents arm was raised in victory this season. So be it, said Lozano, because his and Curran’s vision for the team is one with a single long-range goal: rebuild the sport that had fallen on hard times since he was a wrestler at Belmont High only five years ago.

Lozano wrestled with good competitors on a Belmont High team that included a state champion, Sami Baghdady.

And today, Belmont wrestling is his squad to guide.

“I love this team,” said Lozano who graduated from Belmont in 2011 and from UMass Boston in 2015. “It really is a blessing that so many freshmen who came out and committed themselves to the sport,” he said.

While nearly the entire team had no exposure to high school/collegiate-style wrestling that relies on strength and guile to pin an opponent, “they are coming here with the right mindset, ready to work,” said Curren graduated in 2014 from New Hampshire and 2010 from Arlington High.

“It’s better to have a new group of freshmen because they are coming to learn the basics. We’ve got them for four years,” said Curren. “As long as they are working hard, having fun and learning the sport, that’s all that matters now.”

There have been some encouraging results from recent meets. At the annual Brendan Grant tournament held at the Wenner in January, Belmont secured a pair of podium places as freshmen Bryson Lipson and Omer Rona finished fifth and sixth respectfully in their weight classes.

Lipson, who came away with a bit of a bent nose at the end of the night, won two matches before falling to the eventual champion at 152 pounds.

“I had one great match that went into overtime, sudden death. It was a good feeling to win that way although it did tire me out,” said Lipson.

Rona used a quite unique strategy in his victory, allowing his first-round opponent from Wakefield in the 195-pound category to “let him throw me around” until the final 30 seconds before turning the tables on him.

“He was guaranteed to win because he was up by ten points. But he was so tired trying to pin me that I got around him. He tried to get up but because he had no energy left I went for an arm bar (a favorite of UFC star Rhonda Rousey) and got the pin,” said Rona.

[When told of Omer’s “technique,” Belmont Selectman Chair Sami Baghdady – who was an outstanding high school wrestler and whose namesake was a state champion as a freshman for Belmont – advised Rona to “find a less unorthodox approach if he wants to survive long in the sport.”]

It is Lipson, Rona and the dozen or so wrestlers who just want to participate and improve gives the Belmont Wrestling brain trust confidence in what they are doing.

“It’s a very young team which means they have to come her every day to practice which they have been doing. It’s about fine tuning their technique for the next two to three years and then you will see our freshmen now be on top,” said Lozano, who relies on his small senior class to keep the “kids” motivated” through the growing pains of an inexperienced but determined team.

While the season is close to ending, Lozano and Curren will ask half a dozen wrestlers to commit to off-season training with them and area coaches.

“That will keep the sport going, as we improve, so will the number of kids who will come out for our sport,” Lozano noted.

Both coaches fully believe that wrestling’s future in Belmont “is more than promising. We actually see us achieving some realistic goals,” said Lozano.

“It’s only up from here,” said Curren.

As for the wrestlers, the question is with so many good sports teams to try out for, why choose to wrestle.

“Because it’s one of the, if not the most intense physical sports there is. I’ll keep working hard and practicing and try to get better,” Lipson said.

“It’s a sport I don’t have to worry about a team or a ball, I just have to worry about the other guy and myself. It’s all very simplistic,” said Rona, a 9th grader who enjoys physics.

So, how do you use physics in wrestling?

“You don’t,” said Rona.

Parade Feb. 4 for ‘Belmont Becca’ Pizzi, World Marathon Challenge Champ

January 29, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Becca Pizzi at the finish of the final race with men’s champ Dan Cartica.

In a display of strength and guts, a young single mom from Belmont who holds down two jobs and trains with purpose won one of the most challenging running events imaginable in a time that will be difficult for future runners to match.

Becca Pizzi, the life-long Belmontonian, conquered the second World Marathon Challenge in which runners race seven marathons in consecutive days on the seven continents, becoming the Women’s Champion in the early morning of Saturday, Jan. 30 in Sydney, Australia. She is the first American woman to both finish and win the race.

To celebrate Pizzi’s accomplishment and victory, a parade will be held in her honor in Belmont Center on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 3:30 p.m., sponsored by Belmont Savings Bank.

At today’s final leg on the Manly Beach course, Pizzi once again won the women’s race going away, winning in 4:08.51, only the second time in seven races that she failed to break four hours. In the seven races, Pizzi average less than four hours for each race, an amazing accomplishment as only two men races faster over the seven days.

Pizzi joins US Marine Dan Cartica who won the men’s race averaging just more than three and a half hours per marathon.

The Belmontonian

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