Connecticut Wrestling Online |
This page was last updated on: December 3, 2001
2001 State Open pairings Wrestling begins Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at Glastonbury High. 103 Upper bracket Phil Young (Danbury) vs. Jon Read (Newtown) Jesse Cavallaro (Plainville) vs. James Therrien (Killingly) Andy Nguyen (Rocky Hill) vs. Trevor Brown (RHAM) Dan Wojnarski (Fairfield) vs. Craig Ryan (Newington). Lower bracket Ian Kessler (New Fairfield) vs. Pat McCurdy (Nonnewaug) Luis Espinosa (Harding) vs. Shawn Howey (East Hartford) Dylon Tuz (New Milford) vs. Jeff Fontaine (Southington) Jorge Cruz (Windham) vs. Jason Vermes (East Windsor). 112 Upper bracket Freddy Ruperto (NFA) vs. Scott Heffernan (Morgan) Nate Ouellette (RHAM) vs. C.J. McCormick (Berlin) Chris Malarkey (Killingly) vs. Mike Armstrong (Hall) Brandon Stavola (Amity) vs. Miguel Encarnacion (New London). Lower bracket Nate Russell (Bulkeley) vs. Endicto Bussonet (Windham) Lance Phelps (Avon) vs. Chris Kaplanis (Danbury) Roberto Natalino (Derby) vs. Ryan Mehner (Stamford) Nick Venoutsos (South Windsor) vs. Greg Pace (Bethel). 119 Upper bracket Kevin Egolf (Glastonbury) vs. Kevin Gaughan (New Fairfield) Matt Sullivan (Newtown) vs. Lincoln Lefebvre (East Catholic) Kevin Martin (Bristol Eastern) vs. Vito Barbagallo (Plainville) Ryan Lee (Southington) vs. Luis Murillo (Platt). Lower bracket Matt Morabito (Derby) vs. Eric Soucy (Newington) Matt Varrato (Middletown) vs. Pat Newkirk (NFA) Jeff Oldham (Bethel) vs. Jamie Ascone (Danbury) Dave Hinchey (Griswold) vs. Chris Coppolo (Fitch). 125 Upper bracket Brett Piscitello (NFA) vs. Derek Aivano (Berlin) Greg Kramer (Morgan) vs. Rob Blankinship (Seymour) Andres Vanegas (New London) vs. Ryan Briggs (Wethersfield) Alex Flores (Glastonbury) vs. Tim Faucher (Newington). Lower bracket Kiel St. George (Killingly) vs. Rob Tolk (Avon) Steve Ariel (Fermi) vs. Trevor Howe (Danbury) Mark McCauley (Guilford) vs. Favio Delabrena (Fairfield) Travis Wolf (Bethel) vs. Chris Scheinberg (East Catholic). 130 Upper bracket Lee Mannion (Fairfield) vs. Tom Bujold (Canton) Aaron Wrann (Enfield) vs. Miguel Figueroa (Bulkeley) Brock Littlefield (RHAM) vs. A.J. Albano (McMahon) Kevin Kozikowski (Bristol Central) vs. David Stec (Derby). Lower bracket Chris Szczesiul (Fermi) vs. Clayton Torres (Platt) Loxley Walters (Rocky Hill) vs. Doug O'Leary (Southington) Ramel Murphy (New London) vs. Mike Beers (Glastonbury) Dana Cleveland (Weaver) vs. Doug Milburn (Bethel). 135 Upper bracket Carlos Valenzuela (Danbury) vs. Brendan Riley (RHAM) Dan Maley (Newtown) vs. Dave Iaquinto (Morgan) Jesse McKay (New Milford) vs. Josh Kaplan (Canton) Brian Wallman (Stamford) vs. Ben Davis-Oscar (Windham). Lower bracket Rob French (Derby) vs. Andy Hering (Ridgefield) Justin Gilbert (Killingly) vs. Bill St. Pierre (Southington) Anthony Corvino (Stratford) vs. Ian Whyte (Cheshire) Shane Phillips (St. Bernard) vs. John Szymanski (Berlin). 140 Upper bracket Dennis Stone (Danbury) vs. Jon Spivak (Staples) Dave Niek (Avon) vs. Kyle Ibbitson (Killingly) Jake Bauer (Griswold) vs. Brian Hawes (Windham) Paul LeBlanc (East Hartford) vs. Allyn Quibble (Ledyard). Lower bracket Matt Cattel (Platt) vs. Dean Anneser (Granby) Tom Phillips (Pomperaug) vs. Chris Lee (Southington) Paul Bowman (Newington) vs. Sean Rowe (Norwalk) Luis Grano (RHAM) vs. Sean Smith (Bacon Academy). 145 Upper bracket Steve Scott (Danbury) vs. Jim Siemon (Stafford) Jim Bottigliaro (Law) vs. Dan Fortner (Ledyard) Franco Jean (Stratford) vs. Scott Woodworth (Simsbury) Matt Florian (Southington) vs. Adam Russell (East Windsor). Lower bracket Will Deveau (Fitch) vs. Brendan Haggerty (RHAM) Kyle Peatfield (Morgan) vs. Jason Pagan (NFA) Paul Battista (Plainville) vs. Ross Giavannielo (Xavier) Tim Farrell (Pomperaug) vs. Dan McAveney (New Fairfield). 152 Upper bracket Adam Chenette (NFA) vs. Bilal Khan (Windham) Mike Pannone (Maloney) vs. Derek Kon (Avon) Steve Hoffsis (Simsbury) vs. Josh Veguilla (Stafford) Paul Fedorovitch (Weston) vs. Ken Gennett (Law). Lower bracket Chris Gebbie (Lyman Memorial) vs. Chris Couch (McMahon) Joe Dilorio (Bethel) vs. Chris Sheppard (Amity) Kevin Davis (RHAM) vs. Dan Taylor (Greenwich) Ryan Ort (Montville) vs. Jeff Sullivan (Guilford). 160 Upper bracket Larry Liseo (Southington) vs. Justin Mikhalevsky (Ridgefield) Ryan Kennedy (Montville) vs. Taro Moraga (RHAM) Julien Harrigan (New London) vs. Damian Mierney (Middletown) George Mauer (Conard) vs. Steve Selezan (Newtown). Lower bracket Matt Palermo (Bethel) vs. Brendan Roche (Avon) Jim Burnham (South Windsor) vs. Carl Higbie (Greenwich) Mike Laroche (Berlin) vs. Josh Murphy (NFA) Adam Dubour (Law) vs. Devin Schibi (Gilbert) 171 Upper bracket Colin Sepko (Southingtno) vs. Andre Singleton (New London) Rob Rayburn (Killingly) vs. Steve Wilhelm (Platt Tech) Mike Walsh (New Fairfield) vs. Jon Doyle (East Haven) Scott Brisson (Danbury) vs. Kevin Cordier (Windham Tech). Lower bracket Jim Punkunus (Berlin) vs. Pat Lewis (Law) Ryan Wheeler (Gilbert) vs. Silver Oghayore (Bridgeport Central) Don Papio (Avon) vs. Bo Crotta (Amity) Max Harrell (Hall) vs. Brett Scholick (Hand) 189 Upper bracket Scott Fay (Danbury) vs. Pat Sullivan (Bunnell) Jay Leckey (Guilford) vs. Aaron Cramer (Morgan) Dan Cook (Ridgefield) vs. Tom Kruszewski (Montville) Max Pazden (Fairfield) vs. Andrew Williams (Stratford). Lower bracket Adam Karasevicz (Waterford) vs. James Martin (Bristol Eastern) Jose Salgado (Law) vs. Bill Reilly (East Hartford) Andy Palermo (Bethel) vs. Mike Drury (Bristol Central) Bill McCollum (St. Bernard) vs. Mike Vonallmen (Branford). 215 Upper bracket Wigaberto Diaz (Bridgeport Central) vs. Joe Budris (Nonnewaug) Andre Diaz (Windham) vs. Joe Zacchera (Simsbury) Graham Sisbarro (Bunnell) vs. Xavion Clinton (Weaver) John Condosta (Cheshire) vs. Tom Anadore (Bacon Academy). Lower bracket Greg Robertson (Harding) vs. Eugene Williams (Stratford) Shawn Cavanagh (Griswold) vs. John Topolski (Fairfield) Nick Lawrence (Derby) vs. Jay Livingston (Amity) Eric Carbone (Bristol Eastern) vs. Juston LePore (Hand). 275 Upper bracket John Sullivan (Greenwich) vs. Steve Beecher (Bristol Eastern) John Bonilla (Morgan) vs. Jeff Batres (Stratford) Chris Graham (Derby) vs. Anthony Capirichio (Bethel) Chris Porrini (Bristol Central) vs. Aaron Trusty (Berlin). Lower bracket L.J. Spinnatto (Hand) vs. Phil Rothkugel (Plainville) Davie Trowers (Weaver) vs. Matt Vose (Southington) Jerrid Ballard (McMahon) vs. Xavier Sanchez (Bridgeport Central) Edwin Rosario (Windham) vs. Brian Dubiel (Avon) |
Southington gets another crack to beat Danbury |
Connecticut Wrestling Online GLASTONBURY, Feb. 22, 2001 -- While wrestling's State Open has always been the ultimate forum for individual competition, a team title will once again be awarded this year. No. 2 Southington and No. 4 Berlin, the Class L champion, are among the state's best which will vie for team honors. The Blue Knights, who finished second behind Danbury in Class LL, have nine competitors qualified to compete in the Open, a number that only top-ranked Danbury equals. Berlin has six wrestlers while Class M champion Bethel, with eight competitors, Windham and RHAM with seven and Killingly with six are also viable challengers for the team title. "I was a major proponent (of reinstating the team competition)," Berlin coach Jim Day said. "I think every time you step on mat you should be competing for something (team-oriented). The Open was the only tournament in the championship series that didn't have it. The New Englands (slated for next weekend in Derry, N.H.) and the division tournaments have it and I think it sparks fan interest." The last time teams vied for a State Open title was 1975 when Ledyard captured the third of its three Open championships. Team champions were determined at the Open from 1968-75. Wrestling begins Friday at 4:30 p.m. with the first round. Wrestling will continue Saturday morning at 9 a.m. with the quarterfinals and semifinals at about 1 p.m. The consolation finals are scheduled for 6 p.m. with the championship finals at 7 p.m. "It's the first time we've ever had to take a bus to the Open," Southington coach Pete Sepko said proudly. Among the Knights heading to Glastonbury for the two-day extravaganza are the coach's son Colin Sepko (Class LL champ at 171 pounds) and Larry Liseo ('LL' champ at 160). The other members of the Southington contingent are Jeff Fontaine (3rd at 103), Ryan Lee (4th at 119), Doug O'Leary (2nd at 130), Bill St. Pierre (2nd at 135), freshman Chris Lee (2nd at 140), Mat Florian (4th at 145) and heavyweight Matt Vose (2nd at 275). "Liseo surprised some people and we knew he would," Coach Sepko said. "The people seeded ahead of him saw him when he was wrestling at 189 (early in the season before making weight at 160). Now he wrestles kids his own size. We haven't seen the last of him." Danbury is led by Class LL champions Phil Young (103), Carlos Valenzula (135), Dennis Stone (140), Steve Scott (145) and Scott Fay (189). Heading the Berlin group are Class L state champs John Szymanski (135), Jim Punkunus (171) and Aaron Trusty (defending Open champ at 275). Mike Laroche (160), his unbeaten season ended by Newtown's Steve Selezan in the 'L' final, seeks to garner his second Open crown. Laroche, who was victorious at 145 pounds last year, will finish second on Berlin's all-time victory list. The other Redcoats competing are C.J. McCormack (2nd at 112) and Derek Aivano (4th at 125). Newington has two wrestlers going for the prestigious double of winning a division (Class L) and Open title. Craig Ryan will vie for the 103 championship and Tim Faucher will grapple for gold at 125. Paul Bowman was second in 'L' at 140 and Eric Soucy took fourth at 119. The top four wrestlers in each weight class will qualify for the New England championships on March 2-3 in Derry, N.H. SCHIBI READY: Most of the Plainville High gym was dark except for the few lights that shone upon the lone mat in the center of the floor for the Class S wrestling championship bouts. And Gilbert coach Jim Rollins couldn't believe what he was seeing as the Yellowjackets' Devin Schibi (160 pounds) battled for a state championship against New London's Julien Harrigan. "It looked like someone took his legs out from under him. He didn't have any of the speed and strength he showed getting to the finals," Rollins said. But Schibi still came away with the 4-2 victory, improved to 33-0 and became the first Gilbert wrestler to win back-to-back state titles. "That is proof positive of how good you are when the worst match of your career wins you a Class S championship," Rollins said of Schibi. The best finish by a Gilbert wrestler at the Open came in 1986 when Bill Bridges (185 pounds) finished fourth. Chuck Bascetta (135), Tim Hoffman (140) each earned a medal in 1996, finishing sixth while Alex Fisher (275) took sixth in 1990. "We're going to take it like we do every other tournament," Rollins said. "Don't look too far ahead. Take each match as its own. Wrestle one period, one match at a time. It has been good enough to get him to this point." Schibi's strength this year has been his speed on the mat. "He's faster this year at 160 than he was last year at 145," Rollins said. |
