Youth Wrestlers Compete In New Milford Kickoff Classic

Members of the Newtown Youth Wrestling Association (NYWA) competed in the recent New Milford Kickoff Classic with 27 wrestlers, between the elementary and middle school squads, getting mat time.  NYWA, having garnered 23 medals, was well-represented at the medals tables.

The morning session started with the elementary team showing quickness and strength. Gathering gold were William Henkel (four pins), Sean Arnold, and Shaine Luzietti. Gren Paynter placed with a silver, barely missing out on gold with a hard-fought 4-3 defeat as his day’s only loss. Other silver medal winners were Zack Robinson, Evan Rooney, and Sean Dauber. Steven Leuci, Steven White, and Ryan Straiton all came home with bronze metals for their efforts.

The second session saw the middle school team fare even better as they highlighted their day with six gold medals. Highlighting the first-place finishers was Simon Preston (two pins and a 13-0 tech fall) and Joseph Praino (3-0, three pins). Also earning gold medals for the NYWA grapplers were Kevin Ross, Michael Garner, Anthony Falbo, and James Leuci. Other middle school metal winners were Thomas Leuci, Edward Lovely, Steve Tramontozzi, Forest Speed, and Erik Benson (silver) and Dylan Bartlett and Andy Hubina (bronze).

The team continues to practice three nights a week and is preparing for its next tournament in Southington just after the New Year.