Click on the respective links for the latest news on former Connecticut high school wrestlers competing at the collegiate level.
NCAA Division I
Army
Sophomore Charlie Costanzo, Danbury, 133
Binghamton
Junior Michael McCeever, Brookfield, 197
Freshman Robert Neal, Brookfield, 141
Bloomsburg University
Sophomore Rich Perry, Middletown, 197 lbs.
Cleveland State
Sophomore Mike Monson, Southington, 165
Edinboro University (Edinboro, Pa.)
Freshman Devin Covone, Bacon Academy, 165
Hofstra
Junior Tyler Banks, Griswold, 157
Millersville University (Millersville, Pa.)
Sophomore Dan Calzarette, Simsbury, 133
Sacred Heart (Fairfield, Conn.)
Senior Anthony Ricco, Stratford, 125
Junior Zachary Moran, East Catholic, 184
Freshman Robert O'Neil, Branford, 125
West Virginia
Senior Brandon Williamson, Greenwich, Hwt.
Virginia
Freshman Patrick Gillen, Shelton, 197/Hwt.
NCAA Division II
Anderson University (Anderson, S.C.)
Sophomore Brian Onofrio, Hand, 157
Sophomore Nick Giuelleti, Sheehan, 157
American International College
Graduate Michael Ramsay, Waterford, 197
Senior Este Lara, Avon, 125/133
Sophomore Andrew Lischke, Bethel, 133/141
Freshman Andrew Chase, Bristol Eastern, 125
Newbury College (Newbury, S.C.)
Freshman Greg Billingham, Stratford, 150
University of Nebraska-Kearney
Senior T.J. Hepburn, Ledyard, 157
Junior Brock Coutu, Griswold, 149
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
Sophomore Sean O'Connell, Farmington, 184
Tiffin University (Tiffin, Ohio)
Freshman Aren Norman, Bacon Academy
St. Andrew Presbyterian Coll.
(Lavinburg NC)
Freshman Danny Iovino Ortiz, Jonathan Law
NCAA Division III
Bridgewater State (Bridgewater, Mass.)
So. Gene Michael Dearly, Brooklyn (Pomfret), 165
So. Sean Fields, Norwalk (McMahon), 149
Sr. Andrew Frazer, West Hartford (Conard), 197
Centenary College (Hacketstown, N.J.)
Sophomore Ricky Jorge, Newington (Xavier), 125
Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT)
Freshman Shane Sullivan, Ledyard, 165
Gettysburg College (Gettysburg, Pa.)
Sophomore Mike Sheehan, Fairfield Ludlowe, 184
Hunter College (New York City)
Ithaca College (Ithaca, N.Y.)
Sophomore Joseph Löbb, Oxford (Gunnery), 165
Johnson & Wales
Junior Humphrey Swift, Danbury, 285
Sophomore Michael Frick, New Fairfield, 157
Freshman Evan Fraser, Fairfield Warde, 133
John Hopkins
Freshman Welles Sakmar, Hand, 149
Muhlenberg College (Allentown, Pa.)
New York University
Jr. Adlee Fayyaz, Stamford (Rye Country Day), 133
Norwich University (Norwich, Vt.)
Freshman Jacob Alderman, Lebanon, 149
Sophomore Alex Lawrence, Ledyard, 285
Freshman Malik McGarrah, Wethersfield, 157
Freshman Wayne McGuire, East Catholic, 174
Plymouth State (Plymouth, N.H.)
Roger Williams University (Bristol, R.I.)
Senior Jonathan Lemoine, Trumbull, 125
Sophomore Thomas Palumbo, Norwalk, 157
So. Johann Roebelen, Windsor (Loomis), 165
Freshman Tyler Corcoran, Darien, 141
Freshman Sam Grace, Jonathan Law, 157
Freshman Ryan Ing, Bunnell, 133
Freshman Mark Mason, Masuk, 157
Rhode Island College
Junior Alex Labeef, Pomfret, 141
Sophomore Billy Lynn, RHAM, 133
Sophomore Adam Lynch, New Milford, 184
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Sophomore Brandon Thuotte, Killingly, 141
Springfield College
Senior John Garbordi, Ledyard, 197
Senior Ronald Thompson, Westhill, 165
Sophomore Victor Ekpenyong, Middletown, 125
Sophomore Kim Pearce, Oxford, 149
Freshman James Gendler, Avon, 157
Freshman Mark Gonzalez, East Catholic, 149
Freshman Ryan Bibisi, Windsor, 135
Stevens Institute of Technology (Hobeken, NJ)
Freshman Jake Odell, South Windsor, 157
Southern Maine
Trinity College (Hartford)
Junior Kyle Lundberg, Guilford, 165/174
Sophomore Scott Gonzalez, East Catholic, 133
Ursinus College (Lancaster, Pa.)
Senior Alex Blank, Ridgefield, 133
Freshman Ian McEvoy, Newtown, 141
University of Scranton (Scranton, Pa.)
Sophomore Corey Pasquarelli, Southport (Fairfield Ludlowe), 141
Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT)
Williams College (Williamstown, Mass.)
WPI
Senior Stephen Poppa, Derby, 125/133
Sophomore Brian Jennings, Danbury, 133
Freshman Brian Barnash, Trumbull, 285
Freshman Ted Kostopoulos, Jonathan Law, 197
Fo. Duncan MacKinnon, Bacon Acad., 174
Freshman D.J. Russo, Terryville, 125
Freshman Tyler Tilbe, Nonnewaug, 133
Western New England College
(Springfield, MA)
Senior David Baldyga, Terryville, 197
Senior Chris Mastrianni, Derby, 149
Junior Robby Ferrante, Shelton, 133
Junior Nik Moreschi, Meriden (Platt), 160
Sophomore Chris Sheehan, Manchester, 165
Freshman Dylan Kniska, Bacon Academy, 197
Fo. Sean McAllister, Bacon Academy, 125
Latest news
Perry, Williamson win twice at NCAA tourney
ST. LOUIS, March 17 – Middletown High graduate Richard Perry won two matches at the NCAA Division I wrestling championships competing for Bloomsburg University at 197 pounds this week. Former Greenwich High wrestler Brandon Williamson (285) went 2-2 wrestling for West Virginia in the tournament.
Perry dropped his opening match to No. 12 Joseph Kennedy of Lehigh, 3-1 before winning two straight with a 6-3 win over Brent Chriswell of Boise State and a 2-1 win over Rutgers’ Dan Rinaldi. Perry was eliminated in a 4-3 loss to No. 7 Mario Gonzalez of Illinois.
Williamson won his first bout with a 5-4 decision in OT over Austin Marsden of Oklahoma State before dropping a 2-1 decision to finalist Zach Rey of Lehigh, who came into the tournament as the No. 4 seed. Williamson beat Wisconsin’s Cole Tobin by pin in 4:23 but was eliminated in a 10-2 loss to Binghamton’s Nick Gwiazdowski.
Hepburn wins NCAA Div. 2 title
PUEBLO, Colo, March 10 - -Ledyard’s T.J. Hepburn won the NCAA Division II national championship Saturday night wrestling for the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Hepburn (36-3) pinned senior Jarrod Shaw of West Liberty University in 2:17 to win the title at 157 pounds and earn All-American honors for the third time.
Hepburn was one of three individual champions for Nebraska-Kearney, which won its first national championship since 2008. The Lopers had seven All-Americans (top 8 finishers) and 107 points. St. Cloud State was second with 95 points while Grand Canyon and Findlay were tied for third with 58.
Nebraska-Kearney teammates Dalton Jensen (141) and Raufeon Stots (149) won titles before Hepburn came to the mat. Hepburn’s pin clinched the title for the Lopers. “I told my teammates I was going for the headlock to get the pin in the first period,” Hepburn told the Pueblo Chieftain. “I can’t even explain the emotions I had when I got that pin and won the national championship for the team. It was just incredible.”
After a relentless attack, Hepburn got a cradle and a pin for the victory over Shaw. “The last half hour I was having a hard time catching my breath,” Hepburn told NCAA.com. “I’ve been here before, but no matter how many times you are in a situation like this you get excited. When Dalton got that pin my lungs opened up. To be the guy to clinch it feels awesome. Just a great way to go out.”
Hepburn, a senior, ended his collegiate career on a 26-match win streak and finished 118-16 at Nebraska-Kearney. Hepburn had to go to overtime to win his semifinal match with a 4-2 decision over top-ranked Dillon Bera (20-1) of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Unable to finish a pair of shots in regulation, Hepburn found paydirt in OT.
Hepburn in Div. II semifinals at 157
PUEBOLO, Colo, March 9 -- Ledyard's T.J. Hepburn, a senior at Nebraska-Kearney, is in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II national tournament at 157 pounds. Hepburn won his first two matches with a 10-1 win over Bryce Givens of Indianapolise and a 7-3 quarterfinal win over Jeremy Bommarito of Limestone, S.C. Hepburn (35-3) faces undefeated Dillon Bera (20-0) of Wisconsin-Parkside in the semifinals Saturday. Hepburn is one of six Nebraska-Kearney wrestlers in the semifinals.
Blank eliminated in
Div. III tournament
LACROSSE, Wisc., March 9 -- Wrestling for Ursinus, Ridgefield senior Alex Blank (133) lost twice at NCAA Div. III nationals and eliminated. Lost to No. 3 Adam Sheeley (Wisc.-LaCrosse) 15-0 and No. 6 Joseph Crippi of Springfield College, 3-0.
Hepburn wins 2nd regional title, has
won 22 in a row
Former Ledyard High wrestler T.J. Hepburn (157) of the University of Nebraska-Kearney won his second straight RMAC Super Regional title to qualify for this weekend’s NCAA Division II national championship tournament. Hepburn, a two-time RMAC Wrestler of the Year, is currently 32-3 and has won 22 in a row.
Perry earns bid to NCAA tournament
Former Middletown High wrester Richard Perry (197 pounds) qualified for the NCAA Division I national tournament with a third place finish for Bloomsburg University at the 37th annual Eastern Wrestling League championship tournament. Perry lost his first match on a tiebreaker but won two straight to take third. It is Perry's first trip to the NCAA tournament.
Williamson qualifies for
NCAA tourney
Former Greenwich High wrestler Brandon Williamson of West Virginia earned a berth in the NCAA Division I tournament by winning the 285 pound division at the 37th annual Eastern Wrestling League tournament. Williamson won three bouts, including a 2-1 decision over Edinboro’s Ernest James, 2-1 in the final. Williamson nearly lost his opening match of the tournament. He trailed Millerville’s Brad Ladd, 10-2 in the first period but was able to rally for a 16-14 decision.
Blank qualifies for NCAA Div. 3 nationals
RIDGEFIELD, Feb. 27 -- Former Ridgefield High wrestler Alex Blank, a senior at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., has earned a spot in the NCAA Division III national tournament at 133 pounds after winning the Centennial Conference title Saturday. Blank, a senior captain, won the Chris Clifford Award for most career points in the Centennial Conference tournament. Ursinus finished 2nd to John Hopkins in the conference.
Siegmann helps team win NJCAA title
PARSONS, KS, Feb. 27 -- Dennis Siegmann, a long-time coach at Bristol Central, is the assistant coach at Labette Community College in Parsons, KS. The Cardinals won its first NJCAA national title since 2005 this weekend with 9 medalists, two individual champions and four finalists. Siegmann, 65, is retired. He won 348 matches, 2 Class L titles and 11 conference titles at BC from 1977-99.
Williamson looking for 2nd NCAA tourney bid
MORGANTOWN, W. Va., Feb. 26 – Former Greenwich High star Brandon Williamson will be looking to qualify for the NCAA Division I championships for the second time in three years when West Virginia University competes in the Eastern Wrestling League championship meet on March 4 in Clarion, Pa. Williamson is 23-6 at heavyweight for the Mountaineers, who stunned No. 10 Edinboro University, 18-17 last week. Williamson won the final match to give WVU (9-4) the victory.
Williamson is ranked No. 17 in the nation by Amateur Wrestling News and is ranked No. 20 by Intermat. Williamson, who has won eight straight, is the No. 1 seed at 285 in the EWL tournament. The EWL gets 24 bids into the NCAA tournament, including three at 285 pounds.
Swift, Tilbe earn
All-New England honors
MIDDLETOWN, Feb. 26 -- Former Danbury High wrestler Humphrey Swift earned All-New England honors by taking fifth place at 285 pounds for Johnson and Wales at the New England Wrestling Association’s Division III New England tournament Sunday at Wesleyan. Johnson and Wales was third behind Wesleyan and Springfield. WPI freshman Tyler Tilbe (133) also earned All-New England honors, taking fourth. He is a former Nonnewaug High wrestler.
Wesleyan wins Div. III
New England tourney
MIDDLETOWN, Feb. 26 -- Wesleyan won the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Division III championship tournament at Wesleyan University in Middletown on Sunday by 1.5 points over Springfield College. The winners of the 10 weight classes and five wild card entries qualify for the NCAA Division III national tournament on March 9-10 in LaCrosse, Wisc.
Several CT wrestlers ranked in New England
HARTFORD, Dec. 16, 2011 -- Several Connecticut wrestlers in college are ranked in the latest New England Division III rankings – Tyler Tilbe (Nonnewaug), 133 pounds, WPI, 5th; Robert Ferrante (Shelton), 133, WNEC, 6th; Kyle Lundberg (Guilford), 165, Trinity, 4th; Humphrey Swift (Danbury) 285, Johnson & Wales, 4th; John Gabordi (Ledyard), Springfield College, 285, 6th
Hepburn loses to Division I champion in final from Cornell
LAS VEGAS, Dec. 3, 2011 -- Former Ledyard star T.J. Hepburn, wrestling for Div. II powerhouse University of Nebraska-Kearney, finished 2nd at the Las Vegas Invitational on Saturday. Hepburn (157 pounds) fell in the finals to two-time Div. I champion Kyle Dake of Cornell, 4-0, on a takedown, escape and riding-time bonus. Hepburn, the top-ranked wrestler in Div. II at 157, beat Nebraska freshman James Green in the semifinals, 3-1.
