Kim J. Harmon

A lot of people were willing to give the Newtown High School wrestling team up for dead before the 2005-06 season started (almost anyone would, considering the Nighthawks lost several of their top competitors) but wins over Masuk, Joel Barlow and Pomperaug have the locals sitting at 3-0 and ready for the New Year grind.

Meanwhile, the swimmers withstood their first real test of the season with a convincing win over Staples of Westport that sets the stage for a South-West Conference battle against Pomperaug next week in Southbury.

For the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams, though, the holiday news was not so cherry as the two combined to compile five losses. And the hockey team, after a 2-2 draw with Joel Barlow, suffered a 6-0 shutout at the hands of Notre Dame.

Read on –

WRESTLING

Newtown 61, Joel Barlow 10

Newtown 45, Pomperaug 34

Winless?

How about undefeated?

The Newtown High School wrestling team wasn’t getting much love around the South-West Conference earlier this month. A slew of graduation losses seemed to have the Nighthawks reeling as they approached the 2005-06 season.

But a season-opening win over a resurgent Masuk team and then two more wins over Joel Barlow (61-10) and Pomperaug (45-34) have the very impressive Nighthawks undefeated at 3-0 heading into the New Year.

Wow.

There wasn’t much competition at Barlow last Wednesday as the Falcons – formally co-opped with Masuk and Weston – took to their own mat for the first time in 22 years. When Colin O’Connor pinned John Nastasi in 1:11 in the 140-pound division to start the match, the rout was on.

But the Falcons did put up a fight in a few classes. At 145 pounds, Rob Fiori earned a 6-3 decision over Jeff Bray, 6-3, as Kyle Ungar earned a 17-7 major decision over Jagi Enkhabaatar at 160 pounds and James Rupert earned a high-scoring 12-7 decision over Bryant Aliaga at 189 pounds.

Perhaps the most thrilling match of the day came at 103 pounds when Kim Solheim of Newtown, taking it to the final seconds of the third period, edged Matt Bellantoni, 10-8. But by then, the Nighthawks had built up a 33-10 lead.

John Gouveia (119), Mark Bonamici (125) and Jeff Lipnick (130) earned quick pins to finish off the match.

The win over Pomperaug on Friday was much closer … and more challenging.

The ‘Hawks had to rally twice to overcome the Panthers with Bray coming up with a key injury default victory at 145 pounds and Joel Minalgo earning an even more key 21-second pin of Ricky Goodrich at 215 pounds.

Solheim started the match off with a forfeit win at 103 pounds, but Dana Van Buskirk (112) was pinned and John Gouveia was dropped, 11-2, by Garrett Schmidt of Pomperaug to put the ‘Hawks in a 10-6 hole. After Bonamici (125) and Lipnick (130) earned pins to put the locals back on top, 18-10, pins at 135 and 140 pounds put Pomperaug back on top, 22-18.

But with Bray grabbing an injury default at 145 pounds and then Gary Andrews (152) and Enkhabaatar (160) earning pins the ‘Hawks had stormed out to a 36-22 lead. Yet, the Panthers stormed right back with pins of Eric Puffer (171) and Aliaga (189).

That’s when Minalgo sealed the match by pinning Goodrich in 21 seconds.

The locals compete in the annual Danbury Tournament on Saturday and will return to their regular South-West Conference schedule on Wednesday, January 4, when they travel to New Milford. After a visit with Weston and Southington on January 7, the ‘Hawks will return home on January 11 to host New Fairfield.

Newtown 61, Barlow 10

140: Colin O’Connor (N) pinned John Nastasi 1:11; 145: Rob Fiori (B) dec. Jeff Bray 6-3; 152: Anthony Klabonski (N) won by forfeit; 160: Kyle Ungar (B) major dec. Jagi Enkhabaatar 17-7; 171: Eric Puffer (N) major dec. Jake Raist 20-8; 189: James Rupert (B) dec. Bryant Aliaga 12-7; 215: Matt Kuruc (N) won by forfeit; 275: Aadil Ansari (N) won by forfeit; 103: Kimberly Solheim (N) dec. Matt Bellantoni 10-8; 112: Dana Van Buskirk (N) won by forfeit; 119: John Gouveia (N) pinned Matt Tranalanies 1:57; 125: Mark Bonamici (N) pinned Jamie Herbert 2:35; 130: Jeff Lipnick (N) pinned Danny Harris 0:46; 135: Andrew Kmetez (N) won by forfeit.

Newtown 45, Pomperaug 34

103: Kimberly Solheim (N) won by forfeit; 112: Andrew Panetta (P) pinned Dana Van Buskirk 2:50; 119: Garrett Schmidt (P) maj. dec. John Gouveia 11-2; 125: Mark Bonamici (N) pinned Dane Denu 1:09; 130: Jeff Lipnick (N) dec. Pat Porzello 10-6; 135: Dave Mack (P) pinned Andrew Kemetz 2:50; 140: Chase Verzello (P) pinned Colin O’Conner 1:24; 145: Jeff Bray (N) won by injury default; 152: Gary Andrews (N) pinned Derek Charbaneau 2:15; 160: Jagi Enkhabaatar (N) pinned Eric Cieply 4:32; 171: Dave Janson (P) pinned Eric Puffer 1:58; 189: Baron Jacobs (P) pinned Bryant Aliaga 1:58; 215: Joel Minalgo (N) pinned Ricky Goodrich :21; 275: Newtown wins by forfeit.

SWIMMING

Newtown 100, Staples 84

Admittedly, head coach Matt Childs was expecting a tougher meet.

But after capturing first place in 10 of the 11 events in which it swam officially, the Newtown High School swim team coasted to an easy 100-84 win over Staples of Westport last Wednesday to improve to 3-0.

Coach Childs was expecting more of a test, but he will get one on Tuesday, January 3, when the Nighthawks visit powerhouse Pomperaug in Southbury. The horn is expected to go off in the 200 medley relay at 4 pm.

Against Staples, freshman Brendan Deveney, sophomore Stefan Toi and senior Max Barrett were all double winners. Deveney coasted to easy finishes in the 200 and 500 freestyles as Toi coasted to easy finishes in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke. It was just a little bit closer for Barrett in the 50 and 100 freestyles.

Chris Hoagland (diving) and Anthony Fiore (100 backstroke) also captured wins while the 200 medley relay of Fiore, Toi, Nick Maurer and Barrett and the 200 freestyle relay of Barrett, Zack Moliver, Toi and Deveney grabbed first-place finishes.

Newtown 100, Staples 84

200 medley relay – 1. Newtown (Anthony Fiore, Stefan Toi, Nick Maurer, Max Barrett) 2:03, 2. Newtown 2:09.08, 3. Staples 2:11.86. 200 freestyle – 1. Brendan Deveney (N) 2:07.35, 2. Kempler (S) 2:18.07, 3. Arias (S) 2:19.01, Scott Whally (N) 2:19.55, 5. Waterman (S) 2:22.65. 200 individual medley – 1. Stefan Toi (N) 2:21.46, 2. Marcinuk (S) 2:27.71, 3. Helt (S) 2:35.63, 4. Zack Moliver (N) 2:36.81, 5. Waterman (S) 2:45.71. 50 freestyle – 1. Max Barrett (N) 26.38, 2. Anthony Fiore (N) 27.69, 3. Barone (S) 27.71, 4. Lindahl (S) 27.84, 5. White (S) 27.96. Diving – 1. Chris Hoagland (N) 143.4 points, 2. J. Clark (S) 134.05, 3. Jackie Hornak (N) 120.25, 4. Garcea (S) 101.85, 5. Max Hoagland (N) 100.65. 100 butterfly – 1. Wiederecht (S) 1:03.29, 2. Nick Maurer (N) 1:09.55, 3. Tziolis (S) 1:14.40, 4. Fragoso (N) 1:18.99, 5. Porrino (S) 1:21.59. 100 freestyle – 1. Max Barrett (N) 58.10, 2. Marcinuk (S) 1:00.77, 3. Kempler (S) 1:02.88, 4. Kevin Herring (N) 1:04.37, 5. White (S) 1:04.5. 500 freestyle – 1. Brendan Deveney (N) 5:37.06, 2. Parker (S) 6:16.93, 3. Arias (S) 6:21.16, 4. Scott Whalley (N) 6:37.10, 5. Vincent (S) 6:41.41. 200 freestyle relay – 1. Newtown (Max Barrett, Zack Moliver, Stefan Toi, Brendan Deveney) 1:48.01, 2. Staples 1:55.75, 3. Newtown 2:00.48. 100 backstroke – 1. Anthony Fiore (N) 1:05.53, 2. Helt (S) 1:09.12, 3. Mike Parker (N) 1:11.77, 4. Barone (S) 1:13.33, 5. Waterman (S) 1:16.53. 100 breaststroke – 1. Stefan Toi (N) 1:15.33, 2. Wiederecht (S) 1:20.09, 3. Zack Moliver (N) 1:20.99, 4. Allen Hubbard (N) 1:22.01, 5. Parker (S) 1:22.79. 400 freestyle relay – 1. Staples (Wiederecht, Kempler, Marcinuk, Helt) 4:05.98, 2. Staples 4:18.34, 3. Newtown (Nick Maurer, Mike Parker, Anthony Fiore, Brendan Deveney) 4:09.20.

NOTE: The Staples High School pool is measured in meters, not yards.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Immaculate 48, Newtown 32

NFA 66, Newtown 34

Ridgefield 63, Newtown 58

After opening the 2005-06 season with an impressive 18-point win over Kaynor Tech of Waterbury, the Newtown High School boys’ basketball team has dropped three games in a row … two of those after jumping out to first-period leads.

Both of those particular losses came against undefeated teams, Immaculate and Ridgefield. In the case of Immaculate, the Nighthawks suffered through a two-point second period to see their early lead evaporate and in the case of Ridgefield, an incredible 12-for-12 effort from the foul line in the fourth period by Noel Fahey helped the Tigers rally for the win.

In between those two losses was a 66-34 drubbing at the hands of Norwich Free Academy.

Against Immaculate, the ‘Hawks got off to a quick start and were nursing a 13-10 lead at the end of the first period when they were beset by eight minutes of dismal shooting. And that’s when Jared Green (14 points), Danny DiBuono (13 points) and Brandon McEwan (11 points, 11 rebounds) started to get the Mustang offense back on track.

Dave McLaughlin was the only local in double figures, canning 11 points with the aid of three three-point buckets. Mike Mitchell had seven points while Joe DeVellis and Marc Ingerman dropped in two points apiece.

Sophomore Kevin Troy, who torched Kaynor Tech for 22 on opening night, was buttoned down by a tough Immaculate defense and had a lot of trouble even getting a look at the basket. He hit just one bucket and scored three points.

After making the long ride to Norwich and getting handed a 32-point loss by the Wildcats, the ‘Hawks opened the annual Staples Holiday Tournament in Westport on Tuesday and started out impressively against an undefeated Ridgefield squad.

DeVellis had the hot hand for the ‘Hawks, canning 22 points on the night with the aid of four three-pointers. The locals crafted a 19-10 lead at the end of the first stanza and were clinging to a 29-26 lead at the half.

After the ‘Hawks added a point to their lead, making it 43-39, but the Tigers were saving their best effort for last.

Fahey had already dropped in 6-of-6 shot from the foul line, but in the fourth period he hit all 12 shots from the line and finished off with 24 points to lift his team to the win. Max Cyr (13) and Joe Wolff (11) also scored in double figures for the Tigers while Troy, with 15 points, was the only other ‘Hawk in double digits.

After finishing up in the Staples Holiday Tournament on Thursday, the 1-3 Nighthawks will return to their regular season schedule on Tuesday when they host Bunnell in a 7 pm tip. Weston will be in town on Friday and then the ‘Hawks will hit the road on January 10 for a visit to Pomperaug.

Immaculate 48, Newtown 32

IMMACULATE (48): Drew Doyon 1 0-1 2, Brandon McEwan 4 3-4 11, Steve Mulvey 2 0-0 4, Chris Cerminara 1 0-0 3, Nick DaSilva 0 0-0 0, Danny DiBuono 4 4-8 13, Jared Green 5 3-4 14, Ryan Soares 0 1-2 1, Drew Raymond 0 0-0 0, James Nevin 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 17 11-19 48.

NEWTOWN (32): Shawn Coakley 0 0-0 0, Joe DeVellis 2 0-0 4, Marc Ingerman 2 0-0 4, Mike Kennedy 0 3-6 3, Dave McLaughlin 4 0-0 11, Mike Mitchell 3 0-0 7, Jack Quinn 0 0-0 0, Dan Smith 0 0-0 0, Jason Smith 0 0-0 0, Kevin Troy 1 1-2 3. TOTALS: 12 4-8 32.

Three-pointers: McLaughlin (N) 3, Green (I), DiBuono (I), Cerminara (I), Mitchell (N).

Ridgefield 63, Newtown 58

NEWTOWN (58): Shawn Coakley 0 0-0 0, Joe DeVellis 7 4-4 22, Marc Ingerman 1 2-2 4, Mike Kennedy 0 1-2 1, Dave McLaughlin 4 0-0 9, Mike Mitchell 2 1-2 5, Jack Quinn 1 0-0 2, Dan Smith 0 0-0 0, Jason Smith 0 0-0 0, Kevin Troy 6 3-4 15. TOTALS: 21 11-14 58.

RIDGEFIELD (63): Max Cyr 5 0-0 13, Noel Fahey 3 18-18 24, Matt Harris 2 0-0 4, Joe Wolff 4 3-3 11, Joey Swartout 1 0-2 2, Dan Schaefer 2 2-2 6, Matt Weaton 1 0-1 2, Conor Loughlin 0 1-2 1. TOTALS: 18 24-28 63.

Three-pointers: DeVellis (N) 4, Cyr (R) 3, McLaughlin (N).

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Waterford 66, Newtown 43

The Newtown High School girls’ basketball team made a long ride down I-95 to visit Waterford in a non-conference, pre-Christmas matchup last week, but the Lady Lancers were less than accommodating.

With Amy Simpson scoring 27 points and Kate Schoepher adding 20 more, the Lancers slapped a 65-43 loss on the Lady Nighthawks and dropped the locals to 3-3 on the year. After posting three wins in a row, the ‘Hawks had dropped two in a row heading into a non-conference tilt with Wilton on Wednesday (after press time).

The Lancers were off and running in the first period, building up a 17-9 lead before the ‘Hawks started matching them point for point. After an evenly-played second period the ‘Hawks were still only eight points behind, but the Lancers exploded for 21 points in the third to coast to the finish.

Carly Curran scored eight points while Ciara Simek, Kacy Foehrenbach and Kristi Nowak popped in seven points apiece.

The ‘Hawks will return to their regular season schedule on Wednesday, January 4, when they host Immaculate in a 7:30 pm tip.

Waterford 65, Newtown 43

NEWTOWN (43): Ciara Simek 3 0-0 7, Carly Curran 4 0-0 8, Kacy Foehrenbach 3 0-0 7, Christie Iwanicki 1 2-5 4, Kristi Nowak 1 5-9 7, Darcy Fiscella 2 0-2 4, Casey Frobey 1 0-1 2, Morgan Knees 2 0-0 4, Lauren Ciccomascolo 0 0-0 0, Katie Condon 0 0-0 0, Kelley Tenney 0 0-2 0. TOTALS: 17 7-17 43.

WATERFORD (65): Amy Simpson 11 5-6 27, Jodie Plikus 0 0-0 0, Carrie Anne Dugan 1 1-3 3, Katie Schoepher 9 1-2 20, Karli Spera 3 0-0 7, Ally Elev 2 2-4 8, Laura Neff 0 0-0 0, Brittaney Connors 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 26 9-15 65.

Three-pointers: Elev (W) 2, Simek, Foehrenbach, Schoepher, Spera.

HOCKEY

Newtown 2, Joel Barlow 2

Notre Dame 6, Newtown 0

Everyone in the Milford Ice Pavilion on Friday knew that the Newtown High School hockey team was supposed to get blown out by Division I Notre Dame, but with 35 seconds left in the opening period the score was still knotted at 0-0.

Okay, the Lancers scored before the period was out – and then added five more goals along the way to earn a 6-0 win – but the ‘Hawks were not about to be overwhelmed. Senior goaltender Pete Oggeri made 46 saves on the night, but because of the solid play by the Newtown defense, many of those were simple cover ups on shots taken out near the blue line.

Sophomore Graham Moeller spent a lot of time on defense and covered a lot of ice helping the ‘Hawks stave off the Notre Dame offense. Sophomore Max Beitel had one of the best scoring opportunities of the night for the ‘Hawks on a breakaway down the ice, but the Lancers were quick to cover on defense and goaltender Rich Stine was able to make one of his 10 saves on the game.

Seniors Justin Pacheco and Joe Brewer and junior Pat Daly also played well but were unable to sneak a puck into the net. The loss dropped the locals to 2-2-1 on the season.

After winning two of three to open the season, the ‘Hawks battled Joel Barlow to a 2-2 draw last Friday night at the Danbury Ice Arena. Sophomore Matt Wright scored both goals for the ‘Hawks off assists from freshman Christian Beitel and sophomores Francis Oggeri and Blake Bell.

The Falcons were winless last year and would have likely added another loss to their ledger had goaltender Drew Smithers not had an outstanding night with 27 saves in the net. Newtown goaltender Pete Oggeri had an equally strong night, facing down 33 shots and turning away 31.

The 2-2-1 ‘Hawks were on the ice at Bennett Rink in West Haven on Wednesday to take on Amity and will host Masuk on Friday at the Danbury Ice Rink with the puck dropping at 12 noon. The ‘Hawks will return to Danbury the following Friday to battle Bethel-Brookfield with the puck dropping at 6:35.

Newtown 2, Joel Barlow 2

GOALS: Newtown – Matt Wright 2; Joel Barlow – Kyle Colacicco, Sean Delany. ASSISTS: Newtown – Christian Beitel, Francis Oggeri, Blake Bell; Joel Barlow – Sean Delany. SHOTS: Newtown – 29; Joel Barlow – 33. SAVES: Newtown – Pete Oggeri 31; Joel Barlow – Drew Smithers 27.

Notre Dame 6, Newtown 0

GOALS: Notre Dame – Greg Zito, Cory Nebel, Ryan Tarby, Anthony Capelli, David Hotchkiss and David Ferrie. ASSISTS: Notre Dame – Kevin Conniff 2, Ryan Tarby 2, Greg Zito 2, Cory Nebel, Anthony Capelli, David Hotchiss, Chris Schmar, Jim Tierney and Mime Molyneux. SHOTS: Newtown – 10; Notre Dame – 52. SAVES: Newtown – Pete Oggeri 46; Notre Dame – Rich Stine 10.