[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 20 (Monday, February 2, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S1274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



  (At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)

                       TRIBUTE TO LARRY TREMBLAY

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce a 
resolution acknowledging the outstanding achievement of an 
extraordinary high school athletic coach. On January 21 this year, 
Larry Tremblay achieved his 500th career victory as coach of the 
wrestling team at Winchester High School in Winchester, MA. After 29 
years of success, Coach Tremblay's outstanding career reached that 
milestone, with his victory over Carver High School.
  Mr. Tremblay is one of only three Massachusetts coaches who have ever 
accomplished this feat. Coming off two back-to-back State championship 
years, and his induction to the National High School Wrestling Coaches 
Hall of Fame, the Winchester High Wrestling team is riding high under 
the remarkable leadership of Coach Tremblay. Appropriately the nickname 
of the school's beloved coach is ``Larry legend'' for his latest 
incredible milestone, and I commend Coach Tremblay for his skill and 
dedication and hard work throughout his years as Winchester High 
Wrestling Coach. A recent article will be of interest to all my 
colleagues in the Senate, and I ask unanimous consent that it may be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                       ``Larry Legend'' Lives On

               [From the Winchester Star, Jan. 22, 2009]

       Winchester, MA--Winchester High wrestling Coach Larry 
     Tremblay entered Wednesday night's home match against Carver 
     with 499 career victories.
       Sachem alumni, fans and friends packed the gym to witness 
     Tremblay achieve a feat only two other Massachusetts high 
     school wrestling coaches have accomplished--500.
       His 2008-09 squad made sure he left with the elusive, 
     impressive and historic number.
       With five scheduled matches remaining on the night, Sachem 
     152-pound grappler Mike Greco pinned Carver's Mike Babbin in 
     the second period. That win sealed up not only a convincing 
     53-6 victory for the Sachems, but it also gave Tremblay the 
     milestone.
       ``You don't get into to coaching to win 500 matches or 
     games,'' said Tremblay. ``But one day I looked up and I had 
     100 wins, and then I looked up another day and it was 300. 
     I've had a lot of fun coaching here.''
       Despite being undermanned, Tremblay credited Carver--a 
     program that won the New England championship in 1994--with 
     wrestling a strong match.
       ``My hat goes off to them,'' said the coach. ``They made 
     the long trip up here, and they wrestled hard.''
       The 160-pound, 171, 112 and heavyweight classes were all 
     ruled ``no contests.''
       Tremblay began coaching wrestling at North Reading 29 years 
     ago. He spent one season there before moving on to 
     Winchester, where he has been ever since.
       ``When I started coaching I had curly brown hair,'' joked 
     Tremblay. ``Now look at me. They call me the `silver fox.'''
       Tremblay's passion and knowledge of the sport of wrestling, 
     as well as coaching in general, makes him stand out and 
     places him into an elite group.
       ``He has such a love for the sport,'' said Tremblay's son 
     Travis, who grappled for his father for four years before 
     graduating in 2005. ``It's all he talks about. He loves it.''
       The night began at 103, where, despite putting up a big 
     fight, Nick Cashion was pinned by Carver's Paul Walsh.
       Although it would have been hard for anyone to steal 
     Tremblay's thunder on this night, Sachem 119-pound grappler 
     Connor Gregory managed to receive some well-deserved 
     recognition as well. Gregory earned a 14-3 major over 
     Carver's Matt Walsh, giving him 100 career victories.
       Mike Barber (125) pinned Carver's Steve Mayne; Winchester's 
     Fernando Monroy (130) pinned James Blankship.
       Ryan Connolly (135) earned a first-period pin over Carver's 
     Brandon English, and Winchester grappler Dan O'Connell (140) 
     earned a 14-4 major decision by defeating Steve Scampoli.
       Sachem John Williams (145) pinned Carver's Mike Cabral in 
     the second period, and at 189, Winchester's Greg Kelley 
     pinned Corey Ellis at 1:06 of the first period.
       The match officially concluded when Andrew Moranian pinned 
     Carver's Sean Mahoney in 1:31.
       ``These are special kids, and considering what the previous 
     two teams did there is a lot of pressure on them,'' said 
     Tremblay. ``They're trying to build their own niche. They 
     wrestle to the best of their ability. Not only have they done 
     a good job on the mat, but they've done a good job 
     representing the town of Winchester.''
       After the match, Tremblay received recognition for his 
     accomplishment on the place he knows best--the wrestling mat.
       ``This really isn't a glamorous sport, but the whole 
     wrestling community is like a family,'' said Tremblay. It's a 
     special thing. Tonight, when I saw all the parents and the 
     alumni in the stands, I got a little emotional. This has been 
     a great ride.''

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