Hand Wrestlers Threaten #1 New Milford, But Fall Just Short Of A State Championship

On Saturday evening at Bristol Eastern High School, after a day and a half of wrestling, the final team points tally for the Class L State Championship would read: New Milford - 216, Daniel Hand - 214.5.  One and a half points. That was all that separated the Tigers from their quest for a state title.  They don’t get much closer than that. 

 New Milford, the number one ranked team in the statewide coaches poll and the only team to defeat Hand in dual competition this year, led throughout the tournament.  As the final round approached their lead began to narrow as both teams placed four wrestlers into the championship bracket.  In the end, New Milford withstood the challenge and claimed the Class L title.

Individually the Hand wrestlers had an outstanding tournament, with three champions, one runner-up, two third places and one fourth, fifth and sixth places. 

Final round starts with the 285 pound class

The final round started with the 285 pound class and Hand junior Joe DeMichele.  DeMichele had pinned all three prior opponents in the first period, but Don Sanderson of Bristol Central would keep DeMichele wrestling for the entire six minutes.  But it was not enough for Sanderson as DeMichele came out on top with a 8-3 win for the title. 

 Next up was 103 and freshman Will Crisco faced a tough challenge against defending champion Conor Kirkegard of New Milford.  Although we know that they weigh the same, it seemed like Kirkegard was about a foot taller than Crisco.  And Kirkegard is a skilled wrestler who knows how to use that lanky frame to his advantage.  Crisco put up a good battle, but Kirkegard successfully defended his tile 6-2.

 At 130 Captain Eddie Carroll faced Evan Fraser from Fairfield Warde. Carroll, who won a Class L Championship last year at 125, added a second title to his resume by pinning Fraser with only 21 seconds remaining in the match.  It was his fourth pin of the tournament. 

 At 135, sophomore Jake Savoca was in control of the entire match with 9-1 win over James Neamontis of Fairfield Warde. 

Consolation bracket includes some of the toughest wrestling of the day

Some of the toughest wrestling of the day occurred in the consolation bracket.  In the 152 semi-final, sophomore Kevin Wivell scored on an escape in the last seconds of the second overtime period to advance to the 3-4 final.  He then defeated Matt Marquis of Bristol Eastern 5-3 to take third place.  At 140 Captain Welles Sakmar and Kameron Bradshaw of New Milford put on a grueling display of endurance.  Sakmar snatched the victory in the last seconds of the second overtime with a takedown and near fall to win third place 10-6.

Other wrestlers to place were: 125 Tucker MacGregor 4th, 119 Justin Elias 5th, 112 Jonah Lewis 6th.

 Hand will send seven wrestlers to next week’s  State Open Championship to be held at the New Haven Athletic Center.  All wrestlers placing fourth and above at the Class tournaments are invited.  The competition will only get tougher from here on out, though. 

Here's a link to the CIAC site with complete tournament results  http://www.casciac.org/wrest11l.shtml

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