Sparked by Luca Manfredi’s championship in the 132 pound weight class, along with several top-five performances, Newtown High School’s wrestling team came in third in the Class L State Championships, at Wilton High, on February 19.

Manfredi edged Xavier of Middletown’s Anthony Basile in a 10-9 decision in the 132 weight class finals.

Marc Maurath earned second at 138; Tommy Milligan (106) and Ben Plaue (120) both took third; Brendan McAnaspie was fourth at 145; and Kenna Gioffre (113), Acea Shaham (195), and Fisher Stites (160) all placed fifth. The eight Nighthawks to finish among the top five qualify for the State Open competition at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven during the final weekend of February.

“The coaching staff is extremely proud of this group of eight wrestlers getting to the State Open. This is the most wrestlers that Newtown has qualified in since 2015. The best part is that all of these wrestlers will be returning next year,” Coach Tom Maurath said.

Manfredi dominated with three pinfalls and decision over the top-ranked wrestler in state from Xavier, Coach Maurath said. In the finals, Manfredi came back from a 9-5 deficit in the third period. This win avenged a loss to the same wrestler earlier in the season.

Maurath, a freshman, had a bye in the first round, pinned his two opponents in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals, and advanced through the semifinals when his opponent had an injury default. Maurath lost a 16-5 major decision to a top-ranked senior in the finals.

Shaham lost in the quarterfinals but battled back with three pinfall wins and a decision to earn fifth.

McAnaspie, a freshman, reached semifinals, earned three pinfalls, and his only losses came to a couple of seniors.

Plaue had three wins by pinfall and lost in the semifinals to the number one wrestler in the state. He fought back to claim third place with a win over the third-ranked wrestler.

Stites, a sophomore, battled in what Coach Maurath said was the toughest bracket of the tournament to place fifth at 160, claiming wins over Xavier, Farmington, and Fitch wrestlers.

Gioffre, a freshman, had two wins via pin and one by decision to win fifth.

Milligan, a sophomore, had three wins, one by pinfall and two by decision, including a 9-2 win over the second-ranked wrestler.

Greg Gargano had a win via pin at 126. Jeffrey Gonzalez won a bout via technical fall in the 170 division. Chris Rice won a bout via pin at 220. Jon DaSilva won a match via pin at 285.

Xavier placed first with 318.5 points and Simsbury was second with 234.5. Newtown scored 173.5 to edge out South-West Conference rival New Milford (fourth with 159). New Milford narrowly defeated Newtown for the conference tourney title. Guilford came in fifth in the Class L competition with a score of 142.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.