Hawk Grapplers Win Five Matches

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s wrestling team had plenty of success in five matches this past week, reeling off three wins at the Platt Tech Duals, with victories over New Britain, Foran, and Platt Tech on January 29, and knocking off South-West Conference foes New Fairfield and Brookfield at home on January 31.

Newtown Coach Alan Potter is thrilled with his team’s efforts, especially given all the grapplers have been up against with several practices canceled because of snow, or lost to make up rescheduled meets, not to mention the fact the NHS practice facility was not available due to school construction back at the beginning of the winter campaign.

“Considering that we haven’t been able to practice very much and we didn’t have our gym for the first four weeks of the season, we’re doing extremely well and the kids are buckling down — and we’re making our run to the [South-West Conference Championships],” Potter said.

The Nighthawks were scheduled to take on always-dominant New Milford on Wednesday (after The Bee sports section went to press). After competing in the Staples John Chaco Classic in Westport on February 5, the Hawks will close out the regular season at Masuk of Monroe on February 8 — then it’s on to the conference championships.

Newtown’s Ian McEvoy can’t wait for the postseason and a possible rematch with Brookfield’s Mike Delvalle in the 235-pound weight division. McEvoy overcame a 4-0 deficit with a great escape effort to force overtime, only to lose 6-4 in the fourth period to Delvalle.

“It was frustrating to lose but, at the same time, I know it was a good match and I can’t beat myself up about it,” McEvoy said. “I’m excited to see him in the SWCs — hopefully a different result.”

McEvoy will take a result like any of his others in recent action. He pinned three other opponents and won a match via forfeit this past week.

All of the Nighthawks had plenty of success in their recent bouts, and they were thrilled to knock off rival Brookfield. “It’s always good to beat Brookfield,” Potter said.

Newtown’s winning results from the five meets are:

NHS 44, New Britain 31

285: Mac Morlock pin Victor Tellez :36

119: Nick Fadus pin George Rodriguez 3:03

125: Sam Wiener major decision Lemuel Correa 7-0

130: Matt Swigart pin Aaron Sanchez 1:03

135: Ian McEvoy pin Bryce Buinickas :32

140: Patrick Zingaro major decision Edward Cruze 15-6

145: Joe Pieretti pin Frankie Santiago :59

171: Cory Fisher pin Odean Edwards 1:00

NHS 51, Foran 21

215: Andrew Fischer pin Anthony Piselli 1:37

285: Mac Morlock pin Pat Abazia :18

119: Nick Fadus pin Nick Holt :31

125: Sam Wiener decision Joe Puccilli 7-6

130: Matt Swigart decision Kyle Carriaro 4-3

135: Ian McEvoy forfeit

145: Joe Pieretti decision Clay Callahan 5-4

160: Will Northrop pin Zack Hubler :35

171: Cory Fisher pin Peter Bassine 1:00

189: Aaron Nezvesky forfeit

NHS 47, Platt Tech 31

103: Jon Schwartz forfeit

112: Nick Crudo pin Lauren Zobakinsky :55

135: Ian McEvoy pin Chris Blagmen 2:57

140: Pat Zingaro pin Sims 3:27

145: Joe Pieretti pin Ken Hill 1:42

171: Cory Fisher tech Don Schnieder 16-1

189: Aaron Nezvesky forfeit

285: Mac Morlock pin Guss Garcia 3:57

NHS 60, New Fairfield 24

112: Nick Crudo forfeit

119: Nick Fadus forfeit

125: Sam Wiener forfeit

135: Ian McEvoy pin Lucas Ruger :43

140: Patrick Zingaro forfeit

145: Joe Pieretti pin Sam Gioia 2:57

160: Will Northrop pin Gordy White :30

171: Cory Fisher pin Will Hess :38

189: Aaron Nezvesky pin Ryan Theros 1:59

285: Mac Morlock pin Joey Amorando 1:38

NHS 55, Brookfield 19

160: Will Northrop pin Justin Lyons :23

171: Cory Fisher pin Shea McGorty 2:22

215: Aaron Nezvesky pin Joel Wamser :57

285: Mac Morlock forfeit

103: Jon Schwartz tech Connor Stascavage 22-6

112: Nick Crudo pin Steven Delvalle 3:20

119: Nick Fadus pin Griffin Barbieri :25

125: Sam Wiener decision Blalse Boullianne 5-4

130: Matt Swigart pin Matt Delia :40

145: Joe Pieretti tech Mike Schirmer 17-2