Connecticut athletes named to Academic
All-American team
Seventeen athletes from Connecticut, including 16 wrestlers, were named to the 2016 National High School Coaches Association’s (NHSCA) Academic All-American team from the 2015-16 school year. It’s the 23rd year that the NHSCA has honored students on the playing field and in the classroom. Athletes from Connecticut include:
Class of 2018 (Sophomore)
Ryan Luth (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Foran High School for coach David Esposito. He was a state champion in 2015 and placed 2nd in 2016. He had a 2016 season record of 55-4 with a current career record of 110-11. Ryan has a current GPA of 4.0.
Shaun Wagner (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Southington High School for coach Derek Dion. He finished 3rd in his 2016 state wrestling championships and had a season record of 37-13. He has a current career record of 64-20. Shaun has a current GPA of 4.0 and is ranked #21 in his class.
Class of 2017 (Juniors)
Austin Abacherli (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Southington High School for coach Derek Dion. He is a three-time state placewinner, finishing 4thin 2014 and 3rd in the 2015 state wrestling championships. This year he was the state runner-up. He had a 2016 season record of 36-11 with a current career record of 95-29. Austin has a current GPA of 3.5.
Gino Esposito (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Foran High School for coach David Esposito. He finished 2nd in his state championships in 2015 and was the state champion this year. He had a season record of 53-7 this year and has a current career record of 134-24. Gino is ranked #1 in his class of 220 students.
Tristan Haviland (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Trumbull High School for coach Niko Filippakis. He was a New England Champion at 113 lbs. this year. Tristan had a 2016 season record of 40-5. He currently has a 3.5 GPA.
Michael Mirmina (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Trumbull High School for coach Niko Filippakis. He is a two-time state placewinner, finishing 5thas a sophomore and 4th as a junior. He had a 36-10 season record this year. Michael has a current GPA of 3.6.
Brooke Powers (Connecticut) competes in the sport of Girls’ Basketball at Greenwich Academy for coach Wes Matthews. She is a two-time selection to the All New England Prep All Star team. Brooke has a 3.7 GPA.
Grant Sarra (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Plainville High School for coach Harvey Spence. He placed 6th in his 2016 state wrestling championships and had a 31-10 season record. Grant has a 4.0 GPA and is ranked #2 in his class of 170 students. He would like to major in pre-med in college.
Jasper Stone (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Simsbury High School for coach TJ Silva. He placed 3rd in his 2016 state wrestling championships. Jasper had a 2016 season record of 36-6 and has a current career record of 49-15. He has a 3.9 GPA and is ranked #85 in his class of 374 students.
Class of 2016 (Seniors)
Matthew Conte (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Westhill High School for coach Thomas Pereira. He is a two-time state placewinner, finishing 4th in his junior year and 6th this year. Matthew had a 28-6 season record this year and a career record of 139-35. He has a 3.7 GPA and is ranked #19 in his class of 574 students. He will attend American University where he will also continue his wrestling career.
Nicholas Cyr (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Plainville High School for coach Harvey Spence. He placed 3rd in his 2016 state wrestling championships. Nicholas had a season record of 33-10 this year and has a career record of 58-22. He has a 3.9 GPA and is ranked #19 in his class of 180 students. He will attend Central Connecticut State University to study nursing.
Noah Hubler (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Foran High School for coach David Esposito. He is a two-time state placewinner, finishing 4th as a junior and 2nd as a senior. Noah had a 2016 season record of 47-6 and a career record of 102-42. He has a 4.0 GPA.
Dante Montanaro (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Trumbull High School for coach Nicholas Montanaro. He is a three-time state placewinner, finishing third his sophomore, junior and senior years. Dante had a 30-8 season record this year and has a career record of 112-19. He has a 4.0 GPA and will attend New York University Stern School of Business. He will continue his wrestling career there also.
Keith Penney (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Simsbury High School for coach TJ Silva. He is a four-time state placewinner, finishing 7th his freshman year and 2nd as a sophomore, junior and senior. Keith had a season record this year of 32-7 and has a career record of 135-23. He has a 3.9 GPA and is ranked #83 in his class of 363 students. He will attend Williams College where he will also further his wrestling career.
Connor Sakmar (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Daniel Hand High School for coach Michael Docker. He is a two-time state placewinner, finishing 5th as a junior and 4th this year as a senior. Connor had a 45-14 season record this year and a career record of 113-37. He has a 4.19 GPA and plans to attend Harvard University where he will study Economics and compete in wrestling. He was his class Valedictorian this year.
Liam Sullivan (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Daniel Hand High School for coach Michael Docker. He is a two-time state placewinner, finishing 6thas a junior and 1st as a senior. Liam had a 36-7 season record this year and has a career record of 101-39. He has a 3.4 GPA and would like to study engineering in college.
Jubilee Witte (Connecticut) competes in the sport of wrestling at Foran High School for coach David Esposito. He placed 3rd in his 2016 state wrestling championships. Jubilee had a 2016 season record of 41-10 and has a career record of 106-62. He has a 4.0 GPA and is ranked #5 in his class of 220 students.
