25 CIAC wrestlers to watch in 2018-19

H.S. WRESTLING PREVIEW

Travis Longo, Trumbull, Sr.:

Was Wilton’s first State Open championship in 25 years last winter at 106. Transferred to Trumbull.

Ryan Jack, Danbury, Jr:

A two-time AllAmerican who has won the last two State Opens – one at 106 and one at 120 – Jack will be one of the leaders of the Hatters this winter. Jack Committed to North Carolina State.

Sean Johnson, Ellis Tech, Sr.:

A finalist in 126 at the State Open last year who won the Class M title. Ellis Tech finish fourth in its division behind the talented senior.

Joe Gjinaj, Warde, Sr.:

Won the State Open at 195 after taking second in Class LL. Mustangs finished second as a team to Danbury at FCIACs, Class LL and the State Open.

Justin Marshall, Bristol Eastern, Sr.:

Finished sixth at the State Open at 152 after winning Class L. Played quarterback for the Lancers in the fall.

Trinidad Gonzalez, Bristol Eastern, Sr.:

Won Class L at 195 and finished second at the State Open. Bristol Eastern has won the last two Class LL titles:

Montez Osbey, Danbury, Sr.:

Reached the Class LL final at 220 but is moving down to 195. Osbey wrestled at 195 during the offseason.

George Harrington, Staples, Sr.:

One of the favorites to win the 285 title, Harrington won at FCIACs and Class LL last winter.

Jacob Commander, New London, Sr.:

Finished third at 195 at the State Open after winning the ECC and Class M titles. Wrestled at 160 the previous year.

Ty Finn, Simsbury, So.:

Reached the State Open final as a freshman and 37-3 during the regular season. Also reached the New England semifinals. Competed at NHSCA freshman nationals earlier in 2018.

Michael Angers, Tolland, Sr.:

Finished second at 160 at the State Open last season after winning the Class M championship. Older brother Ryan won a state title at 138.

Ben Kibby, Granby, Sr.:

Took fourth at 182 last season and is one of the top returners in the class. Went 33-3 last year.

Joe Palmieri, Trumbulll, Sr.:

Won the Class LL championships at 182 after taking second at FCIACs.

Dylan Sousa, Xavier, Sr.:

Posted a 39-11 record while winning the SCC title at 182. Was fifth at the State Opoen.

James Lunt, Xavier, Jr.:

Was third in Class L and fifth at the State Opoen at 132. Finished the year at 40-15.

Justin Mastroianni, New Canaan, So.:

Is coming off a winter that included an FCIAC title, a runner-up effort in Class L and a third at the State Open at 126. Went 6-0 to win a national championship after the high school season.

Keldon Larose, Guilford, Sr.:

Went 39-8 en route to a sixth place finish at the State Open at 126. A SCC champion in the class.

Ben LeBlanc, Danbury, Sr.:

Finished sixth at the State Open at 113 before reaching the New England semifinals. Won titles at FCIACs and Class LL.

Jack Ryan, Trumbull, Sr.:

A finalist in Class LL at 106, Ryan reached the quarterfinals of the State Open before falling to eventual champion Travis Longo.

Paul Calo, Southington, Sr.:

Finished second in Class LL and the State Open at 170 before scoring a big win. He rolled through the New England tournament for a second straight year to win the title.

Joe Zeller, Newtown, Sr.:

Fresh off a grueling football season that included a trip to the Class LL semifinals, Zeller is a top returner at 285. Took fifth at the State Open last year.

Hunter Adams, Suffield, Jr.:

Poised to make a leap as a junior, Adams finished sixth at the State Open at 145. Won the title in Class S.

George Tsiranides, Fairfield Prep, So.:

Took second at 145 in Class LL as a freshman, one of the deeper classes in the state.

Tyler Sung, New Canaan, Jr.:

A finalist at 138 at the State Open, Sung and Mastroianni provide the Rams with a pair of All-American talents.