Pinning The Competition —Newtown Youth Wrestlers Excel In State Championships

The Newtown Youth Wrestling Association (NYWA) sent 22 qualifying wrestlers to the State of Connecticut’s Youth Championships held at Hillhouse High School in New Haven on February 27.

Highlighting the day’s results were the crowning of three NYWA wrestlers as state champions and the team sending nine wrestlers on to the New England Championships in Lowell, Mass March 12 and 13.

Leading the charge for the team and finishing first in the state were Novice Division (fifth and sixth grade) champions Joseph Accousti (97 pounds) and Anthony Falbo (108 pounds), and Middle School champion Matt Gonzalez (120 pounds).

Joining them at the trophy table were: Intermediate Division (third and fourth grade) Sean Arnold, second place (61 pounds) and Shaine Luzietti fourth (86 pounds); Novice Division (fifth and sixth) Michael Garner, second place (88 pounds), Edward Lovely, second place (92 pounds), and Dylan Bartlett, fourth place (92 pounds); Middle School Division, James Leuci, fourth (136 pounds), Forest Speed, thirrd place (144 pounds), and Edward Lajoie, third (152 pounds).

Also participating in the state tournament were NYWA teammates Evan Rooney, Gren Paynter, Ryan Straiton, Sean Dauber, Thomas Leuci, Simon Preston, Luca Crudo, Chris Manfredi, Chris Lajoie, Logan Walsh and Joseph Priano.

Each earned their right to participate by virtue of a top-four finish in their divisions at the sectional qualifiers held in Milford the weekend of February 20.