Newtown High School’s wrestling team had stellar performances from four standouts in the 60th Annual New England Wrestling Championships in Providence, R.I. March 8 and 9. The Council of New England Secondary Schools Principals’ Associations hosted the event, which featured the top representatives from 178 high school teams in the six New England states. Only the top 24 wrestlers from the entire region in each of the 14 weight classes are invited to this prestigious event.

The Nighthawks placed fourth in the tournament behind a pair of runner-up finishes as well as fourth- and sixth-place results.

The Nighthawks qualified four grapplers based on their placement at the State Open: senior captains Kenna Gioffre and Marc Maurath and sophomore standouts Jake Maddox and Antonio Arguello. Known as the “Four Horsemen” in Newtown’s lineup, each has earned 50-plus wins this season and also led the teams in pins.

All four of these NHS grapplers made the podium; this is the first time in the program’s history that all the team wrestlers that entered the tournament also placed. Gioffre came in fourth at 120 pounds, Arguello second at 150, Maddox sixth in the 157 division, and Maurath second in the 165 division.

While their regular season has wrapped up, these competitors are now getting ready to compete on the national stage at the High School Nationals in Virginia Beach at the end of the month. In addition to the success at the New England tournament, Arguello also reached the milestone of 100 in-season varsity wins in just two seasons.

"I'm pleased with our New England Tournament overall. Our day one was flawless, propelling all four of our wrestlers into the semifinals. It's a very tough event and obviously gets more difficult the deeper you get into it," Coach Chris Bray said. "To have all four of the guys we sent end up on the podium, two being in the finals, is a major accomplishment. The boys wrestled hard with a lot of heart and intensity. We are very proud of them — now off to the nationals."

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