It was a tremendous finish for Newtown High School’s wrestling team. The Nighthawks had eight representatives among the 14 weight division finalists, and seven individual winners at the South-West Conference Championships, hosted by NHS on February 10.

Tommy Milligan (106 pounds), Kenna Gioffre (120), Antonio Arguello (144), Jake Maddox (150), Marc Maurath (157), Fisher Stites (165), and Charlie Dunn (190) all won championships. Thomas Morgan (215) got all the way to the finals and took second place. Jon DaSilva (285) earned third, and Shaun Daoust (132) and Andrew Corey (175) both placed fourth.

Milligan scored a 7-2 decision to earn his championship-round win. Gioffre earned his win via pin with 33 seconds left in the third period. Arguello scored a 20-4 technical fall win. Maddox used a reversal to break a scoreless tie in the second period and carried a 2-1 edge into the third before a quick two-point takedown to get things going in the third propelled him to a 7-2 victory.

Maurath and Masuk of Monroe’s Luke Longo were knotted at 2-2 after the first period but Maurath seized control for a second-period pin. Stites jumped out to a commanding 7-2 advantage after one and earned victory via pin fall in the second period of his match. Dunn followed with a second-period pin of his own.

“We knew we were going to have fun in the finals. ... They all wrestled hard, wrestled smart — very technical,” Coach Chris Bray said of his wrestlers who reached the pinnacle round.

But setting for a runner-up team finish to New Milford was an unexpected outcome for the Nighthawks. New Milford, a team NHS outlasted in a dual meet as well as in regular-season tournament action this winter, scored more points in consolation rounds and the build up to the finals. In the end, the Green Wave racked up a score of 278.5 to Newtown’s 249.5. New Fairfield came in third place with a distant 123 points and Brookfield-Shepaug finished fourth with 100.

“Very disappointing. It’s a little bitter right now,” Bray said as his team entered into the championship round with its fate already determined.

Bray was thrilled to be on the familiar Newtown High mats after New Milford hosted the tourney for many years.

“It’s great to be here in our home. It’s been 17 years since the last time we hosted the event,” the coach said.

The Nighthawks are preparing for the Class L State Championships, set to take place Friday and Saturday, February 16 and 17, in Wilton.

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