Xavier captures 2nd straight crown
WILTON — Two years ago, when the CIAC last held its postseason wrestling tournaments, Xavier defeated Simsbury by a two-and-a-half point margin, coming from behind in the finals to claim the Class L crown.
The Falcons repeated as Class L champions on Saturday, but this time, it wasn’t quite so heartpounding.
Xavier had five individual champions among its nine finalists while racking up 318.5 points and winning the crown by 74 at the Nicholas Zeoli Field House in Wilton. Simsbury was second with 234.5 points, with Newtown (173.5), New Milford (159) and Guilford (142) in the top five.
It was the largest margin of victory in a Class L tournament since Berlin defeated Simsbury by 77.5 points in 2001.
“They earned this,” Xavier coach Mike Cunningham said. “They come in every day, they work hard and they don’t complain. I’m proud of them. We had a great quarterfinal (Friday) night to get into the semis, so we had 11 in the semis and that helps. It gives you more opportunities.”
“The biggest part of this is that we’re always pushing each other to be better,” senior Dylan Levesque said. “It really helps having a good partner in practice to push you.”
Levesque was the No. 1 seed at 138 pounds and defeated No. 2 Marc Maurath of Newtown in an 18-6 major decision.
At 220, No. 2 Thomas Lunt, another Xavier senior, defeated top-seeded James
Duhancik of Stratford 9-6.
The Falcons won the first three matches of the finals, with sophomore Raekwon Shabazz, pinning New Milford’s Alex Oberc in 1:27 at 106 pounds, and freshman Max Morse winning a 9-1 major decision against Simsbury’s Griffin DeVivo at 113.
In the 120-pound final, Falcons’ freshman Jackson Heslin, the No. 6 seed, turned the tables on topseeded William Hamitlon of Bristol Central, scoring a takedown and a nearfall in the final seconds for an 8-5 victory.
“I just didn’t think,” Heslin said. “That’s my go-to move and it was just I know what I’m doing, I know what I’m hitting, I’m going after him. Hopefully I;ll see him again next weekend. He’s a great wrestler.”
“I think the kids definitely fed off of that,” Cunningham said. “They’re a team and that was really exciting for them.”
With nine finalists in Class L, and 10 champions in the SCC, the tournament’s have taken on a feel of Xavier against the world.
“When we have that many finalists it sometimes feels like everybody is rooting against you,” Levesque said. “Coach Cunningham always says you have to ignore the outside noise. We try to focus on one moment and one match at a time, which really helps.”
HEAVYWEIGHT PERFORMANCE
Shelton’s 6-foot-3, 315pound senior Matt Weiner certainly wasn’t wasting any time while winning the Class L heavyweight crown.
The No. 1 seed, Weiner won all four of his matches via pinfall in less than a minute, spending just 1:47 of mat time in the tournament. He was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.
“I felt really loose,” Weiner said. “I used to get a little nervous before big matches, but I didn’t feel that today, which is a good thing. I think that’s why I did so well.”
Weiner won his title bout against Xavier’s Vincent Scileppi in 30 seconds, getting a quick two points on a takedown before ending the match.
He needed just 14 seconds to win his first match against Harding’s Terrance Carter on Friday, and pinned Guilford’s Logan Murphy in 16 seconds in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, he defeated Simsbury’s Begench Benny Kulyyev in 47 seconds.
“During the regular season, usually I’ll let them up, take them down and get some work in,” Weiner said. “But when postseason comes, you’ve got to pin them when you can. Take that first opportunity.”
GUILFORD GOES 3-FOR-3
The Grizzlies were perfect in the title bouts, with senior tri-captains Ed Barlage, Brent Strand and Chris Murphy winning championships.
After missing out on a high school season last year, Guilford coach Craig Vedrani was even happier to see his seniors finish in the winner’s circle