The defending South-West Conference, Class LL, and State Open champion Nighthawks kicked off their campaign with a 46-16 triumph over visiting Pomperaug of Southbury, on December 16. The Nighthawks followed up the victory with a third-place team finish in the Guilford Tournament, on December 19.

Against Pomperaug, Newtown’s 182-pound grappler Anthony Falbo began the match with a win by pinfall, for six points, and the Hawks easily overcame forfeits in a trio of weight classes. Following the graduation of six starters, some newcomers have stepped in for their first taste of varsity wrestling. Transfer student Aaron Occhipinti scored his first Nighthawk victory with a five-point technical fall triumph in his 126-pound weight division bout.

Freshman wrestler Nikolas Accousti lost his 106-pound bout to Dominic Choctiss in a 12-3 major decision. Another freshman, Justin Bogdanoff won his match when opponent Michaela Quinn suffered an injury and forfeited. Occhipinti won by technical fall, 16-1, over Kyle Sheehan.

At 138, Newtown’s Owen Walsh pinned Dan Germain in 1:34. At 142, Newtown’s Ed Lovely earned a 2-1 decision over Matt Pangle. At 152, Newtown’s Alex Stavola won by technical fall, 16-1, over Tim Cocchiola. At 160, Newtown’s Peter Mihok pinned AJ Ryan in 2:35. Falbo pinned Mark Manson in 1:22. In the 195 division, Newtown’s Andy Hubina won an 8-1 decision over Will Foschi. In the 220 weight class, Newtown’s Tom Long pinned Lou Lucatino in :32. The teams had double forfeits at 120 and 285, Pomperaug won via forfeit at 132, and Newtown’s Joe Accousti won via forfeit at 170.

“It was a good start considering the senior class we lost last year,” Lovely said. “We’re coming to defend what was ours last year.”

“We’re in the right state of mind. We’re working as a unit,” Falbo added.

Falbo notes that it is important for the Hawks to pin opponents when possible to score more points and help offset the forfeits.

Newtown Coach Chris Bray saw plenty of room for improvement, especially with the younger team members. Bray was pleased with the wrestling of Walsh, only a sophomore.

“The one thing I will say about these guys is they all wrestled with heart. They made a lot of mistakes, but it’s early yet,” Bray said.

Hawks Have Five Finalists

Newtown was third in the Guilford tourney, won by Ward Melville of New York (232.5); Fairfield Warde (183.5) was second. The Nighthawks trailed with 148.5.

Bray thought, considering Newtown forfeited three weight classes and Stavola was knocked out of the tourney early with an injury, his team did well.

The Hawks had five grapplers reach the finals. Falbo, Joe Accousti, and Hubina all earned first, and Occhipinti and Lovely earned second place. Bray believed Occhipinti wrestled hard and did what he needed to do to win, and noted that Lovely fell in a tight match, a 5-1 decision, to last year’s New England champion, Charlie Kane of Fairfield Warde. Long was third and Nikolas Accousti came in fifth.

Bray was happy with the progress shown by freshmen Nikolas Accousti and Bogdanoff.

“We need to get healthy and fill our lineup — at least mostly,” said Bray, adding that Stavola likely will miss about a month, but should be back when it counts for the postseason.

Newtown, after a visit to Simsbury on December 22, will compete in the Lowell Holiday Tournament, in Lowell, Mass., on December 28, and participate in the Trumbull Duals on January 2, before returning home to tangle with Stratford on January 6, beginning at 7 pm. New Milford visits on January 13, also for a 7 pm match.