Wilton Youth Wrestling (WYW), now in its 6th season, had a very successful CT State Tournament on Sunday, Feb. 28. Overall, the Wilton team produced eight CT State Qualifiers and six CT State Place Winners. Both statistics, while very impressive, were also personal bests for the WYW Program.
The team was led by second year wrestler Jake Sommer (6th grade) who became only the second Wilton youth wrestler to win a State Championship Title. Wrestling in the 140 lb.-Novice Division, Sommer quickly controlled the pace of his matches by pinning all four opponents in the first period of action.
Other standout performances were turned in by the five additional CT State Place Winners: Dan McGuire (8th grade, Weston) wrestling at 160 lb.-Middle School Division placed 2nd; Joe McGuire (8th grader, Weston) wrestling at 175lb.-Middle School Division placed 3rd; Lorenzo Caratozzolo (4th grade) wrestling at 103lb.-Novice Division placed 3rd; Max Mannino (7th grade) wrestling at 77lb.-Middle School Division placed 5th; and Cole Siegel (3rd grade) wrestling at 87lb.-Novice Division placed 6th.
Coach Greg Morris was impressed with his middle school state qualifiers. “Both Dan and Joe are very strong kids with a bright future in wrestling. They are both very difficult to score on and I look forward to seeing how they perform at the next level.”
He had similar high praise for Mannino. “Max will be back again next year and we will be expecting big things from him. Max is our best technical wrestler and I would not be surprised if he becomes Wilton’s third state champion next year.”
Coach Jeff Siegel commented on the outstanding performances from his younger wrestlers, Caratozzolo and Siegel. “Both wrestlers really came to compete today. They both had tough matches and were able to stay focused and disciplined to place in the tournament. Lorenzo and Cole are young wrestlers and we expect big things from them next year.”
In additional to the place winners, first time state qualifiers Andrew Prackup (8th grade, Weston) wrestling at 112lb. and Dominic Caratozzolo (8th Grade) wrestling at 120lb., each had impressive performances. Both wrestlers competed in very tough weight classes with some of the best middle school wrestlers in the state.
At the end of the day, both coaches were extremely pleased with the results of the Wilton team. “Our boys wrestled well today. I’m proud of the way they competed, and the overall results for the season,” Morris said.
Coach Ted Young agrees that WYW has a bright future.
“Jake Sommer and Max Mannino will continue to lead a talented group of Wilton wrestlers next year. Best of luck to all of our 8th graders as they prepare to join the Wilton and Weston High School wrestling teams next season.”