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This page was last updated on: September 5, 2001
By GERRY deSIMAS, JR. Connecticut Wrestling Online Feb. 1, 2001 -- The Nonnewaug High wrestling team can still carve a spot in the Berkshire League record book this year despite being denied its fifth straight Berkshire League championship after dropping a one-point decision to The Gilbert School in early January. Two key matches lifted the Yellowjackets to a 39-38 victory on Jan. 3. John Berger (119) didn't get pinned by Nonnewaug's Jim Ciriello, losing by technical fall and giving up only five team points instead of six by pin. And Brian Colavecchio earned a 8-7 victory at 130 pounds over Nonnewaug's Kostas Hatzikostas. Gilbert (9-13-1, 4-0 BL) clinched its first league title since 1996 with a 64-12 win over Housatonic Wednesday. However, the Chiefs may be the team to beat in Saturday's 19th annual Berkshire League Tournament at Terryville High. Wrestling begins at 10 a.m. with the finals expected to begin around 4 p.m. "I still think Nonnewaug has the edge," said Gilbert coach Jim Rollins, the elder statesman of BL coaches in his 17th season. "They have a fair amount of experience. We could get several third place finishes but we'll have to do better than that because Nonnewaug can pin, pin, pin." A year ago, Nonnewaug won the tournament by 29½ points, in part thanks to 17 pins in the tournament, compared to nine for Gilbert. Nonnewaug can become the first team to win five straight BL Tournament crowns with a victory. The Yellowjackets last won a BL Tournament in 1996. Gilbert probably has the best wrestler in the league in junior Devin Schibi (152 pounds), a Class S champion a year ago at 145. He is quicker, stronger and undefeated in 20 matches. Schibi hasn't given up a takedown yet this season and has only allowed two reversals. Steve Dombrowski (140) won a BL title at 135 a year ago while Steve Romano (145), Colavecchio (125) and Ryan Wheeler (171) should also contend. "We have to pin people and not get pinned," said Rollins. "It will be a challenge. And if either one of us (Gilbert or Nonnewaug) have a bad day, Terryville could do well." As in most tournaments, wrestling well in the consolation rounds will be crucial. "A person who finishes third can almost get as many points as someone who finishes second," Rollins said. Defending BL champion Pat McKirdy (103) of Nonnewaug looks to defend his title while teammates Ciriello (119) Kevin Cook (125), Kostas Hazitkostas (130), Greg Suchin (152), Aaron Levy (189) and Joe Budris (215) should contend. Wolcott Tech's Jeff Dew (189) will be shooting for his third straight BL championship under first-year head coach Craig Schroeder with teammate Justin Tucker (135) expected to challenge for titles. Housatonic's Wayne Godfrey (135) is the most experienced wrestler for a small Mountaineer squad while senior Jeff Dubord (152) and sophomore Jim Galvin (112) should contend for host Terryville. Other contenders for individual championships will come from Thomaston and Northwestern Regional. Freshman Alex Rice (152) is a one-man team from Thomaston. Rice, who participated in the Southington Youth Wrestling program in junior high school before moving to Thomaston, trains with Terryville. Five wrestlers from Northwestern train with Gilbert and Rollins. Senior Mike Welcome (119) has been with the Yellowjackets for four years and dropped a one-point decision in the BL finals to the tournament MVP, Mike Smart of Nonnewaug. Northwestern senior James O'Brien (130) should also contend for a title. |
BL Tournament champions 2000 Nonnewaug 1999 Nonnewaug 1998 Nonnewaug 1997 Nonnewaug 1996 Gilbert 1995 Gilbert 1994 Gilbert 1993 Gilbert 1992 Nonnewaug 1991 Nonnewaug 1990 Nonnewaug 1989 Nonnewaug 1988 Housatonic 1987 Terryville 1986 Nonnewaug 1985 Nonnewaug 1984 Terryville 1983 Gilbert BL champions (dual meets) 2001 Gilbert 2000 Nonnewaug 1999 Nonnewaug 1998 Nonnewaug 1997 Nonnewaug 1996 Gilbert 1995 Gilbert 1994 Nonnewaug 1993 Nonnewaug 1992 Nonnewaug 1991 Nonnewaug 1990 Nonnewaug 1989 Terryville 1988 Housatonic 1987 Terryville 1986 Terryville 1985 Terryville 1984 Terryville 1983 Gilbert No league competition from 1978-82, lack of teams. 1977 Pomperaug, Brookfield 1976 Brookfield 1975 Brookfield 1974 Brookfield 1973 Brookfield 1972 Brookfield 1971 1970 Wamogo |
Nonnewaug, Gilbert should battle for 2001 BL Tournament title |
