Shelton's Gillen Wins SCC Wrestling Crown In 215-Pound Division

Shelton's Patrick Gillen defeated Ted Kostopoulos of Jonathan Law, 9-0, Saturday to win his 189th career match and the 215-pound division title in the Southern Connecticut Conference wrestling championships at Foran.

Gillen is now just 11 wins away from the state career record of 200, set by Ledyard’s T.J. Hepburn from 2004-2007.

Kostopoulos was only  the third opponent to last all three rounds with Gillen this year, even though he didn't register a point. The Shelton senior improved to 37-0 this season.

“That’s the fourth SCC championship," Gillen said. "No one has done that in a while , so I’m pretty excited. I’m just going into every match looking to win …another (Class) LL, another (State) Open, another New England. By doing that, it’ll come. I’m not worrying about it. That’s just nice at the end (200 wins).”

Shelton juniors Ed Hunt and Sean Kellets also won the SCC championships for the Gaels.

Hunt defeated Ryan Butler of Xavier in the 140-pound class with a pin at 1:44, leading 4-2 at the time. This is Hunt’s second consecutive SCC championship, improving his record to 36-4.

“I was happy when I saw he was on his back," Hunt said. "I was looked at the ref and he calls the pin. It was a great feeling. I’m going to bring this momentum rolling right through LL’s, That’s my goal. I want to at least be in the finals, if not win it.”

Kellets defeated Jason Rojas of Fairfield Prep, 2-1, in the 119-pound final. With the win, the junior is now 103-25 in his career and 38-4 this season.

“Last year, I didn’t make the finals so I got to come back this year and prove myself,” Kellets said. “I definitely want to win this year, I’ve taken fourth three years in a row and I’m getting a little sick of that.”

Shelton team results:

Mark Failla def. Brandon Hallaway (Guilford) , in the 103-pound consolation final

Jonah Lewis (Daniel Hand) def. Connors McGinnis in the 112-pound fourth consolation round.

Sean Kellet def. Jason Rojas (Fairfield Prep) in the 119-pound championship, 2-1

Mark Albo (Guilford) def. Mike Chernsesky in the first round of the 125-pound championship

Cheyenne Carden (Branford) def. John Mahony in the third round of the 130-pound consolation round 

Taylor Baker (Jonathan Law) def. Joe Wardel in the fourth round of the 135-pound  consolation round

Ed Hunt def. Ryan Butler (Xavier), 4-2 with a pin at 1:44 to win the 140-pound championship

A.J. Pyne (Amity) def. Mike Sampson in the third round of the 145-pound consolation round.

Nishan Valentini (Xavier) def. Liam Cummings in the first round of the 152-pound  championship

Conor Ward (Fairfield Prep) def. Brian Antunes in the semifinals of the 160- pound consolation round.

Jeff Najmowicz (Amity) def. Neil Jayakar in the third round of the 171-pound championship

Matt Henzy (Xavier) def. Mac Thompson in the 189-pound consolation final.

Pat Gillen def. Ted Kostopoulos (Law) in the 215-pound championship, 9-0