On top of the competition

Catholic High wrestling coach Paul Mammarelli gives his troops final instructions prior to the Rockets' Alumni Night wrestling exhibition Jan. 7 in Little Rock. (Dwain Hebda)

Rocket Richard Buzzitta puts the squeeze on his opponent during the Catholic High School wrestling exhibition match Jan. 7. Buzzitta, a 120-pound junior, won the match by pinfall. (Dwain Hebda)

Senior Jared Gunderman, left, squares off against his Little Rock Central High School opponent in the 138 pound division of the Catholic High School wrestling exhibition Jan. 7. (Dwain Hebda)

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Catholic High School hosted its Alumni Night wrestling exhibition before a big crowd on the Little Rock school’s campus. The Rockets wrestled teams from Central High School and Pulaski Academy, both in Little Rock, and also took the opportunity to recognize a number of former high school wrestlers in attendance who competed for those three programs. Admission to the event — $1 or a can of food — was donated to Abba House in Little Rock.

Wrestling has been a sanctioned Arkansas Activities Association sport for less than a decade and Catholic High is one of the seminal programs in the state, producing a number of individual state champions and athletes who have competed at the college level.

A perennial team to be reckoned with at the state meet, the Rockets went undefeated in regular season tournaments and took home the 7A state championship in 2014. Head coach Paul Mammarelli, a member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock, is a two-time AAA Coach of the Year.