Minutemen Youth Wrestling

On Sunday February 27, 2005 held at the James Hillhouse High School New Haven CT, eleven Minutemen participated in the State Championships. Competing in the Novice Division were the following: In her first State Tournament Carla Mangiafico faced the number one seed from Madison Martin Elias. Carla wrestled well but dropped a 7-2 decision. She then faced Eric Manuel from Westbrook who ended Carla's season with a 10-1 win. Carla showed vast improvement during her first year of wrestling and will be wrestling in Southbury in the all female state championships later this month. In the 70 pound weight class, Sean Pentalow had some of the top wrestler's in his age group in his bracket losing to the eventual 2nd place finisher and then dropping a 2-0 decision to a tough Danbury wrestler. At 80 pounds were two Minutemen. First was Will Matuszak who won his first match by pin before being pinned by the eventual champion. He then defeated Dominic Esposito of Newington 9-0 before losing his last match 8-4 to Andrew Golden of New Milford. The other 80 pounder was Tyler Cunnigham who pinned his first opponent and then squeaked by Millaras from Waterford 4-2. He was defeated in the final by RJ LaBeef of Killingly 10-2. At 85 pounds was Sam Vreeland who lost his first match to the 2nd place finisher the won 7-2 before losing to his Danbury opponent by pin. At 100 pounds Berlin also had two wrestlers. Andrew Alessi in his second year of wrestling won his first match 12-0 before being pinned in the semi-final by teammate Mason Powers at 2:14. Andrew was beaten in the Consolations 8-6 in overtime by Jesse Kimberly of New Milford who he had beaten the week before at the Qualifier Tournament. In the Middle School Division Berlin was represented by four young men. At 90 pounds was Ryan Bisson. Ryan beat his first opponent 10-2 Nick Cyr from Bristol. He lost to Brendan Sullivan of Ledyard 11-2, defeated Jessica Bennett in a tough match 2-0. Then pinned Justin Lydem of Bristol before dropping a 7-0 decision one match short of a medal. At 100 pounds Kevin Moss had two byes before dropping a tough 2-0 decision to Shane Sullivan of Ledyard. He then rattled off two pins in a total of 1:37 to settle for third place. Jack Banks wrestled at 115 pounds losing his first match 9-1 to Bobby Rigilano of Ridgefield. Jack was then wrestling tough against Alex Delaney before dropping a 3-2 decision and eliminating him from the tournament. In his first year of wrestling Ethan Berube competed at 120 pounds. his first match was against top seed Brandon Mals from Bristol who he lost a 14-3 decision. Berube then pinned Brian Vanmeter of Ledyard in 37 seconds and Robbie Giangrasso of Montville in 4:24. He then faced Mals again who he lost to for a second time on the day finishing one win out of medaling. Coach Moss said, "It was a long day for these guys. They arrived by 7:30 in the morning and didn't wrestle until late morning or early afternoon. Kevin and Ethan will be great additions to the high school team next year as freshman. The others will continue to improve while wrestling for the McGee Middle School team and compete at the Kids State level again.