Newtown High School’s wrestling team won the Ray Southland Duals at Southington High on January 6. The tournament included 12 other teams, including Maloney, Norwich Free Academy (NFA), Fairfield Prep, Greenwich, Southington, Fairfield Prep, Ridgefield, Daniel Hand, Melrose, Branford, Conard, and Platt.

In first-round pool play action, Newtown defeated Maloney 66-17. In second-round competition, the Nighthawks defeated NFA 42-36. Newtown defeated Platt 62-15 in the semifinals. The Nighthawks toppled Ridgefield, ranked No. 10 in the state, 58-22 in the finals.

The team collected 40 wins with 29 by pin fall. Kenna Gioffre, Antonio Arguello, Jake Maddox, Marc Maurath, Fisher Stites, Charlie Dunn, Thomas Morgan, and Jon DaSilva all went undefeated.

Jake Maddox beat the top-ranked wrestler in Connecticut. Marc Maurath defeated the No. 4 ranked wrestler in New England.

Newtown has won three tournaments in a row and improved its dual record to 11-0.

The Nighthawks were coming off a 66-15 win over visiting Weston on January 3. After the match, Maurath was recognized for earning his 100th career victory. Maurath picked up his milestone victory in the championship-round team triumph over Norwalk at the Nighthawks Invitational Duals on December 27.

“It was like a full circle moment. That’s where I had my first match,” Maurath said. “It felt good. I’ve always looked up to the people in the 100-win club and now to get in it feels good.”

“He may end up with 150 by the time this is all said and done,” said Newtown Coach Chris Bray, noting that Maurath still has the rest of his junior year and all of his senior campaign ahead. “He has a great work ethic. He wrestles in the offseason, which is more important now than ever, he’s a hard worker, he’s focused and goal-oriented.”

As are the Nighthawks as a team, looking to come out on top in the South-West Conference and state this winter.

“I’m really satisfied with how we’re wrestling. We have a long way to go,” Bray said.

The lineup has gotten to full strength with a combination of grapplers back after injury and a newcomer to the program, and Bray is excited to see what the rest of the campaign has to offer. The goal, since day one, has been to overcome defending Class L and State Open champion Xavier of Middletown.

“We don’t want to overlook anybody. They stand in our way of our Class L championship and they stand in our way of our State Open championship,” Bray said.

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