Minutemen Youth Wrestling

The end of another season came at the CT Kids State Championships in New Haven on March 7, 2010.  High hopes were instore for the Minutemen who qualified for the tournament.

In the Intermediate Division wrestling in the 51 lb. weight class, JP Gorneault went 3-1 on the day to finish 2nd. JP won by pin and technical fall before losing to Jacob Burk of Stafford 5-0.  At 61 lb. weight class Daniel Veleas won his first two matches before dropping a tough 9-1 decision to Kyle Fields of Danbury. Daniel then lost a close 3-2 decision to Andrew Doucette of Simsbury finishing just out side the medal round.  The Minutemen got their first champion at 119 lbs as Calvin Johnson won by pin and two decisions to take home the title.

 In the Novice Division at 80 lbs Joseph Pettinelli won his first match by pin before dropping a 10-2 decision.  Joseph then fought back to three matches before dropping a 6-2 decision to Sean Penny from Simsbury to finish in fourth place.  Coach Moss said, "Joe wrestled a great tournament and didn't quit. He pinned the Danbury kid that had beaten him the week before, that really showed all the coaches how tough he can be."  Next at 95 lbs. Ronnie Watson won his first match 20-6 before running in to national place finisher Breana Lohbusch. Ronnie then beat Wyatt Smiley 7-5 before losing to Brett Leonard of New Milford to place 4th.  At 100 lbs. Jared Zima lost his first match 7-4, then won his next match by pin before dropping a tough one to Andrew Vitrit of New Fairfield. Michael Patterson was alternate at 105 lbs and drew Rocco Swenson from Danbury in his first match.  Swenson went on to win the division.  Michael's second match was a tough 4-2 lose to Samuel Lindblom of Waterford.

The Middle School Division Minutemen had high hopes when the day started. Matt Cote was added as an altenate at 91 lbs. Matt pinned his first opponent and then dropped a close 2-0 decision to Michael Calvo of Newington.  He then lost 4-2 to Jimm Roscover of MarcAurele Wrestling to end his bid for a medal.  Wrestling for Berlin at 98 was Ethan Greider won won his first two matches losing in the semi-finals to eventual champion Will Chowanec.  He then dropped a heartbreat 1-0 decision to Matt Philbin of Ridgfield to finsh just short of a medal.  At 112 lbs. Richie Schlichting wasn't ready for his first match as he dropped at 14-0 decision to Eric Gadski of Pomberaug.  He then went on a tear winning his next three matches before losing to Jacob Eliades wrestling for KT Kidz finishing just shy of a medal.  Eliades went on to place third.  The final bracket for the Minutemen had two wrestlers at 120 lbs.  Ryan Ogdan dropped a 5-0 decision to Caile Johnson of Ledyard and a tough 4-2 decision to Jacob Grasis.  Bobby Andreana won his first match 2-0 the lost his next two matches finishing shy of a medal.

Coach Moss summed up the season, "We worked hard and had a great experience the 8th graders will give the high school team a good core group of wrestlers to work with who are hungry to win at the next level."  Coach Moss added, "I just want to thank Pete Veleas who worked with our travel team this year and did a great job with them and Mark Mangiafico, Fred Orde, Phil Gorneault, Eric Gauvin, Pete Hanson, Lou Eliades, Vinny DeFra