Newtown Youth Wrestling Concludes Exciting Season of Competition

Newtown’s Over the Top Wrestling Club concluded the season on Jan 31 with the league championship at Danbury Police Athletic League. In this contest between league teams from Western Connecticut, the Newtown boys performed admirably. Although not winning a team trophy, individual wrestlers medaled as follows: 

Taking first place were Shaine Luzietti, Sean Arnold, Forrest Speed, and Kevin Ross. Second-place medals went to Michael Schlesinger, Edward Lovely, James Leuci and Luca Crudo. Third-place finishes went to Gren Paynter and Robby Shreiber. Awarded fourth-place medals were Harrison Silverman, Daniel Schreiber, Joshua Harrison, Ethan Ross, Ryan Wagner and Joseph Praino.

Another highlight at the end of the session was the introduction of the young wrestlers to the home crowd at Newtown High School’s wrestling match on Jan 28 against Immaculate. These future high school grapplers were introduced to the audience and performed some warm-up exercises prior to the high school meet. Some of the squad’s, middle school wrestlers may very well be joining the high school team in the next season.

The Youth Wrestling Program, under the direction of coaches Steve Ford and Chris Bray, has been successful during its first few years of existence. The number of participants for the season, which begins in October, has grown dramatically during the last two years. Coaches Ford and Bray give their time and expertise to helping the boys master the skills and discipline necessary to have success.

The season is enjoyable for the boys, despite the rigorous schedule (they practice two to three times per week and compete in weekly matches and weekend tournaments).

Although the league match season has ended, the wrestlers will continue to participate in twice weekly practices in preparation for weekend tournaments in Connecticut, New York, Vermont and Pennsylvania, which will run through April. The next major events are the Connecticut State Championship Tournament to be held on Feb 22 in Meriden (for the younger Mighty Mite and Bantam classes) and the Connecticut State Qualifier in Milford (for the Intermediate, Novice, and Middle School boys).

Interested boys and girls are invited to come to Newtown High School on Monday or Thursday nights at 7 pm to observe the workouts. Registration for the fall season is through Newtown Park and Recreation beginning in September.

The Over the Top Wrestling Club welcomes prospective wrestlers regardless of athletic ability, size or experience. Those in kindergarten through middle school are welcome, with the only requirement being the desire to learn how to wrestle and to have fun.