Platt Wrestlers Fall to Middletown

Platt wrestlers lost to Middletown by an overall score of 58-21 in a meet at home on Wednesday night. 

The Panthers faced a tough challenge against the 2007 and 2008 Class-L State Champions who also won the 2009 NWC tournament. They fell behind early when Dante Futia was able to pin Jesse Veqilla in the third period of the 160-pound weight class match-up while being up 15-3. In the 171-pound match-up Devon Carillo, 2010 Class-L State Champion in his weight class, made short work of Julian Melendez, pinning him in 40 seconds. 

Mike Carero made it 12-6 overall when he was able to pin Dylan Deming with 1:19 remaining in the second period. This is as close as Platt would ever get in the overall match-up.  The Dragons were able to win the next eight match-ups, seven coming by pin fall. 

In the 215-pound division, Platt's John Melendez was ahead of Tyquan Crump 2-0 before Crump was able to turn the tides and pin Melendez with 1:10 left in the first period. 

In a clash of heavyweights (285 pounds) Middletown's Mark Tomkias was able to pin Nick Demanche, a devastating defeat for Demanche who was pinned with less than a second remaining in the second period.  Had time expired, Demanche would have been allowed to start anew in the third period.

In the battle of the lightweights (103 pounds) the Platt Panther's Alex Tixi lost to Tyler McDonald after he was pinned with 38 seconds remaining in the second period. The Dragon's Carigan was able to pin Platt's Jose Alvarez in the 112-pound meeting.

In one of only two matches that went a full three periods, Middletown's Adam Colanto defeated Tyler Riberio 16-5 in the 119-pound match-up.  In the 125-pound division Middletown's John Carrero defeated Antonio Toro by pin with 1:43 remaining in the second period.  In the 130 lbs. division Cody Carillo defeated Platt's Orlando Guerra by pin fall with seven seconds remaining in the first period. 

The Dragons final victory of the night came in the 135-pound match, with Chris Kerr defeating Platt's Tyler Mirles by pin fall with 27 seconds remaining in the first period.  The Panthers were able to make it more respectable on the overall scoreboard by taking the final three matches of the night.  The first coming in the 140-pound pairing where Platt's Alex Lopez defeated Jacob Giasis by pin fall with 7 seconds remaining in the third period.  Even if Giasis had held on 7 more seconds Lopez was up 10-3 in the match. 

In the 145-pound match-up Platt's Brian Jankowski defeated Mike Tewksbury by pin fall with 24 seconds remaining in the first period. In the final and closest match-up of the night the Panther's Kristion Neysmith defeated Randy Hall 7-4.  Hall made the match close in the final two periods after falling behind 5-1. 

Platt next takes on Haddam-Killingworth at home on December 28^th at 10 a.m.