Connecticut Wrestling Online

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