Southington Makes Top 5 of Initial Wrestling Poll

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The initial poll of Connecticut high school wrestling coaches and media members has been released, and as usual, Southington is regarded as one of the top programs in the state.

The Blue Knights (4-2) placed fifth in the balloting, coming off a victory in the 18-team Lawless Invitational at Nonnewaug Saturday. Southington will travel twice this week to Hall High School in West Hartford, for a dual meet Wednesday night and to the Greater Hartford Open Saturday morning.

Danbury (6-0) collected all 16 first-place votes to top the balloting.

Here are the top 10, as well as all other programs receiving votes, with records through Jan. 8.

1. Danbury (6-0)
2. Bristol Eastern (4-0)
3. New Milford (3-0)
4. Fairfield Warde (4-1)
5. Southington (4-2)
6. Trumbull (17-1)
7. Killingly (16-0)
8. Xavier (6-0)
9. Foran (14-3)
10. Daniel Hand (8-0)

Also receiving votes: Montville (10-2), Windham (7-0), New Canaan (5-2), Platt (9-2), Simsbury (5-3), Wilton (5-2), Wethersfield (3-0), Ledyard (6-5), Ellis Tech (7-3), East Hartford (2-0), Gilbert (8-2), Ridgefield (2-6).

Voters: Charlie Anderson, Trumbull; Matt Boissonneault, Bristol Central; Steve Bilheimer, Ledyard; Mike Cunningham, Xavier; Gerry deSimas, Jr., Connecticut Wrestling Online; Paul Gallo, New Canaan; Rich Gregory, Danbury News Times; Ken Lipshez, Meriden Record Journal; Bryan McCarty, Platt; Eric Misko, Farmington; Chris Piel, New Milford; Patrick Risley, Windham; Matt Schoonmaker, Jonathan Law; Jason Shaughnessy, Fairfield Warde; Ricky Shook, Danbury; Jimmy Zanor, Norwich Bulletin.

Photo credit: Tim Jensen