The defending Class LL state champion Newtown High School wrestling team has put itself into good position to repeat with 11 of 14 grapplers getting all the way to the semifinal round at Trumbull High School on Saturday, February 21.

The Nighthawks had 13 grapplers advance to the quarterfinals which took place Saturday morning. Newtown, coming off its South-West Conference title, is trying to defeat Xavier of Middletown and Danbury, among other tough Class LL schools. The championship rounds are expected to begin at about 2:30 pm, shortly after the completion of the semifinals.

Wrestling meet officials have moved the competition along quickly as they try to wrap things up before the anticipated snow this afternoon, and things are well ahead of schedule; the finals were originally scheduled to begin at about 7 pm.

Newtown grapplers who have moved on to compete in the semis are as follows: 113 pound weight division competitor Luca Crudo; 126 Ed Lovely; 132 Matt Gonzalez; 138 James Leuci; 145 Alex Stavola; 152 Joe Accousti; 160 Connor LeMay; 170 Anthony Falbo; 182 Logan Walsh; 195 Andy Hubina; and 220 Tom Long.

Check back here and in the February 27 print edition of The Bee for coverage of the finals, and visit casciac.org for complete Class LL wrestling information.