Camron Veneziano is rising up in the wrestling ranks as quickly as he earns some of his pinfall victories. The 9-year-old, coming off individual and team state championship wins with his Newtown Youth Wrestling Association team, earned a Youth New England Wrestling Championship victory at Starland Sportsplex & Fun Park in Hanover, Mass. on March 12. Veneziano competed in the 10U Division at 68 pounds.

Not only did Veneziano come out on top but he was also dominant. Veneziano, in fact, won the Most Dominant Wrestler Award across all weight classes in 10U. His five-win day began with a trio of first-period pins. He then won via technical fall in the semifinals, and won a decision for the championship. All of this without giving up any points.

“It was a lot of fun. I liked at the end, as soon as I found out I got the Most Dominant Wrestler Award,” Veneziano said.

Teammates Antonio Arguello (15U, 118 pounds) and Jake Maddox (15U, 136 pounds) also won New England titles, among six place winners (see related story).

Veneziano doubled up at weekend competitions throughout the winter season, taking on his 10U counterparts in the morning and stepping up to take on 12U grapplers in the afternoon on the same day in an effort to gear up for championship season. The extra matches — many against older opponents — paid off in a big way. He has wrestled in 104 competitions this season alone. The standout grappler previously had some championship experience: He won an 8U state title. There was no competition last winter due to the impact of the coronavirus.

Wrestling may be a lot of work, but it is also plenty of fun for Veneziano.

“I like to practice and work on moves and stuff. I can get better at it and do it in matches,” said the standout grappler, whose dad Nick Veneziano is president of the youth program.

Veneziano is appreciative of his coaches, including Curtis Urbina, Tom Long, Mike Long, Cory Fisher, Joe Zeller, Alex Stavola, and James Monroe, as well as his practice partners who helped him get to the pinnacle.

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