Newtown Youth Wrestling Crowns State Champion

Newtown’s Youth Wrestling Program had a successful day at the USA Wrestling Connecticut State Championships, held recently at the Hartford Public High School Fieldhouse. Andy Hubina took home a state title, and Sean Arnold and Edward Lovely placed third. The all-day tournament featured hundreds of wrestlers from all over the state.

In its second full year, under the direction of coaches Steve Ford and Chris Bray, and assistant coaches Angelo Bodetti and James Munroe, the Newtown Youth Wrestling program continues to make steady progress in local and state tournaments.

Results by division are as follows:

Bantam Division: Six-year-old and first-year wrestler Sean Arnold, a first-grader at Sandy Hook Elementary School, placed third, with a hard fought consolation final win to earn third place. Also in the Bantam division, eight-year-old and first-year wrestler Michael Garner, a second grader at Sandy Hook Elementary School, wrestled hard in his first state tournament, winning his first match in a pin and losing his next two.

Midget Division: Nine-year-old Anthony Falbo, a third-grader at Sandy Hook Elementary School, wrestled hard and won his first match of the day, convincingly, before losing his next matches to tough opponents. Nine-year-old Andy Hubina, a fourth-grader at Hawley Elementary School, dominated his weight class with two pins and a technical fall to earn his state championship. Eight-year-old Edward Lovely, a third-grader at Middle Gate Elementary School, wrestled back from a tough 2-1 first-round loss, with three consecutive wins, including a 4-0 win in the consolation final to place third. Eight-year-old Ethan Ross, a third-grader at Sandy Hook Elementary School, participated and lost two tough matches. Michael Schlesinger, a fourth-grader at Sandy Hook Elementary School, earned fourth place with a strong performance against tough competition.

Novice Division: Eleven-year-old Luca Crudo, a fifth-grader at Reed Intermediate School, won his first match, then lost two close matches, 9-7 and 10-8. Eleven-year-old Matt Gonzalez, a fifth-grader at Reed Intermediate School, won his first match by pin, lost his second, wrestled back to win his third match, then lost in a very close fourth match, 4-3. Ten-year-old Christopher Lajoie, a fourth-grader at Head O’ Meadow Elementary School, wrestled well but lost in his first round match. His brother, Ed Lajoie, an 11-year-old in fifth grade at Reed Intermediate School, lost two tough matches. Ten-year-old James Leuci, a fifth-grader at Reed Intermediate School, lost in his two matches. Joseph Praino, a 10-year-old in fifth grade at Reed Intermediate School lost his first match, then battled to a tough 4-3 loss in his second match. Kevin Ross, 11, a fifth-grader at Reed Intermediate School, wrestled well, winning his first two matches, losing his third, winning his fourth match convincingly, 14-2, then losing his fifth match of the day. Robbie Schreiber, 10, a fifth-grader at Reed Intermediate School, wrestling in his first state tournament, lost his first round match. Also in the Novice division, 10-year-old Forest Speed, a fifth-grader at Reed Intermediate School, won his first match, lost his second, stormed back to win his next two, then lost his fifth match.

Middle School Division: In the Middle School division, 13-year-old Nicholas Crudo, an eighth-grader at Newtown Middle School, won his first match 6-0, and lost his next two against strong opponents. Also in the Middle School division, Cory Fisher, 14, an eighth-grader at Newtown Middle School, won his first match with a pin, and lost his next two against tough competition.

The Newtown Youth Wrestling Program recently began its second session. Enrollment through the Newtown Parks and Recreation Department (270-4340) is open to children in grades 2 through 8. Practices are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 8:15 pm at Newtown High School.