Youth Wrestlers Conclude Year With Strong Showing

BRISTOL – The Newtown Youth Wrestling Association (NYWA) finished 2011 with a terrific day of competitive wrestling on December 18 as 21 members of the elementary and middle school squads participated in the Gladiators Kids Wrestling Tournament.

The elementary team found success early and often as four of the 11 wrestlers came home with gold medals. The elementary crew was paced by Adrian Decola (3-0 with 2 pins) and Sean Arnold (3-0 with one pin). Joining them in the gold medal fray were Luca Manfredi and William Henckel. Other medal winners were Zach Robinson and Evan Rooney (silver) and Justin Bogdanoff (bronze). Newcomer Jordan Conrad also took home a bronze medal in just his second tournament competition.

The middle school team fared equally well as they came back with seven medals, including five silver.  Leading the charge for the team was seventh grader and 2011 state champ Anthony Falbo who won gold by going 3-0 with two pins. Teammates Ed Lovely (2-1 with 2 pins), Dylan Bartlett, Andrei Steinjann, Alexander Stavola, and Andy Hubina all earned silver medals for the NYWA grapplers. Rounding out the group of medal winners was Chris Manfredi (bronze).

The NYWA holds its practice sessions Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-8 pm for the middle school squad in the Sandy Hook gym and 6:30-8 pm for the elementary school squad in the Sandy Hook cafeteria. Thursday nights are competition nights.

Information may be found online at http://newtownyouthwrestling.blogspot.com and be sure to follow Newtown Youth Wrestling on Twitter at twitter.com/NYWACT.