Connecticut Wrestling Online

Academic achievement recognized

Seventeen CT wrestlers named to All-Academic team

Seventeen wrestlers from Connecticut are among the 47 selections from across the country to the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) All-Academic team. To be considered for selection, athletes had to have a grade point average of 3.4 or more on a scale of 4.0, be a state tournament placewinner and have earned All-State honors.

Shelton’s Patrick Gillen (215), a four-time NHSCA All-American, was one of three wrestlers that earned All-American honors on the squad. Gillen finished second in the NHSCA national tournament in April.

“The members of this year’s All-Academic Team define what it means to be a student-athlete today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro Jr. said. “They are leaders both on the field and in the classroom, and we are proud to be honoring them.”

Four wrestlers from Hand earned NHSCA All-Academic honors along with three each from Old Saybrook/Westbrook and Farmington. Two wrestlers each from Bacon Academy, Griswold and Newington were also recognized.

Class of 2011

Michael Avena, Old Saybrook/Westbrook

Patrick Gillen, Shelton

Christopher Giunta, Staples

Sean McAllister, Bacon Academy

Welles Sakmar, Hand

Tyler Tilbe, Nonnewaug

Class of 2012

Eric Manuel, Old Saybrook/Westbrook

Tyler Strauss, Farmington

Brandon Walsh, Griswold

Class of 2013

Brian Amato, Newington

Chris Chorzepa, Newington

Garrett Hastings, Farmington

Jonah Lewis, Hand

Dylan Martel, Griswold

Matthew McAllister, Bacon Academy

Jake Savoca, Hand

Kevin Wivell, Daniel Hand

Class of 2014

David Colvin, Old Saybrook/Westbrook

Ryan Rigney, Farmington

2011 NHSCA

All-Academic team

Class of 2011

Michael Avena, Old Saybrook/Westbrook: Class S state runnerup with 29-5 record at 135 pounds for coach Eric Manuel; two-time state placewinner; two-year record 64-13. Earned 3.63 GPA.

Patrick Gillen, Shelton: Two-time Class LL state champion with 49-0 record at 215 pounds for coach Robert Gillen; four-time state placewinner; career record 200-14. Outstanding Wrestler in State Open and New England Championships. Finished second in National High School Seniors Championships; seventh in National High School Juniors Championships; fourth in National High School Sophomores Championships; third in National High School Freshman Championships. Earned 3.55 GPA and ranks in the top 15 percent of his class; will attend the University of Virginia.

Christopher Giunta, Staples: Class LL state runnerup with 34-9 record at 215 pounds for coach Kevin Lippert; career record 91-57. Earned 3.89 GPA, scored 1800 on the SAT (three parts) and 28 on the ACT; will attend Quinnipiac University.

Sean McAllister, Bacon Academy: Finished 31-11 and third in State Open Championship at 130 pounds for coaches Michael Voiland and Mike Morris; two-time Class M state runnerup; career record 81-31. Earned 3.86 GPA, scored 1220 on the SAT and ranks in the top 15 per cent of his class; will attend Western New England College.

Welles Sakmar, Hand: Finished 29-7 and third in Class L state tournament at 140 pounds for coach Erik Delahanty. Earned 3.78 GPA, scored 1360 on the SAT and 29 on the ACT and ranks in the top 20 percent of his class; will attend Johns Hopkins University.

Tyler Tilbe, Nonnewaug: Two-time Class S state champion with 45-2 record at 125 pounds for coach Dave Green; two-time State Open champion, fifth in New England Championships, four-time Class S state placewinner; career record 160-23. Earned 3.9 GPA, scored 1370 on the SAT and ranks in the top 10 percent of his class; will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Class of 2012

Eric Manuel, Old Saybrook/Westbrook: Finished 13-5 and fourth in Class S state tournament at 119 pounds for coach Eric Manuel; fourth in State Open Championships, two-time Class S state placewinner; two-year record 47-13. Earned 3.47 GPA.

Tyler Strauss, Farmington: Finished 34-3 this season at 152 pounds for coach Eric Misko; sixth in Class L state tournament at 145 as freshman; career record 59-16. Earned 3.6 GPA.

Brandon Walsh, Griswold: Two-time Class S state champion with 44-0 record at 135 pounds for coach Dana Cooke; State Open and New England Champion, three-time Class S state placewinner; career record 120-15. Earned 3.4 GPA and ranks in the top 10 percent of his class.

Class of 2013

Brian Amato, Newington: Finished 36-7 and third in Class L state tournament at 112 pounds for coach Marco Tirillo; fifth in State Open Championships, two-time Class L state placewinner; career record 67-13. Earned 3.67 GPA.

Chris Chorzepa, Newington: Class L state runnerup with 47-7 record at 152 pounds for coach Marco Tirillo; finished third in State Open and New England Championships. Earned 3.6 GPA.

Garrett Hastings, Farmington: Finished 36-8 and fourth in Class L state tournament at 119 pounds for coach Eric Misko. Earned 3.7 GPA.

Jonah Lewis, Hand: Finished 21-16 and sixth in Class L state tournament at 112 pounds for coach Erik Delahanty. Earned 3.41 GPA.

Dylan Martel, Griswold: Class S state champion with 31-8 record at 103 pounds for coach Dana Cooke; two-time Class S state placewinner; career record 59-27. Earned 3.7 GPA and ranks No. 1 in a class of 176.

Matthew McAllister, Bacon Academy: Finished 26-8 and third in Class M state tournament at 119 pounds for coaches Michael Voiland and Mike Morris; two-time state placewinner; career record 56-16. Earned 3.91 GPA and ranks in the top 20 per cent of his class.

Jake Savoca, Hand: Class L state champion with 35-6 record at 135 pounds for coach Erik Delahanty; fourth in State Open Championships, two-time Class L state placewinner; career record 73-15. Earned 3.6 GPA.

Kevin Wivell, Daniel Hand: Finished 32-9 and third in Class L state tournament at 152 pounds for coach Erik Delahanty. Earned 3.54 GPA.

Class of 2014

David Colvin, Old Saybrook/Westbrook: Finished 26-8 and fourth in Class S at 125 pounds for coach Eric Manuel. Earned 3.63 GPA.

Ryan Rigney, Farmington: Finished 33-9 and sixth in Class L state tournament at 135 pounds for coach Eric Misko. Earned 3.7 GPA.