Norwalk’s Brendan Gilchrist celebrates against Danbury’s Tyrell Jones of Danbury in the 182 pound division at the FCIAC championship on Saturday.
Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media
NEW CANAAN — The Danbury wrestling dynasty has been virtually unstoppable for more than three decades.
In some years, the Hatters manage to take their dominance to an even higher level.
With an eye-popping 11 finalists in 14 weight classes, Danbury steamrolled its way to its 33rd FCIAC championship in 34 years Saturday in New Canaan. The Hatters also have a 10-year title streak after finishing as the runners-up to Warde in 2010.
Danbury’s Jordan Agosto pins Staples’ Jacob Rizy in 3:18 for the FCIAC heavyweight title #ctwr @GameTimeCT pic.twitter.com/wiwb7rrEEq
— Dave Stewart (@DStewartSports) February 15, 2020
Danbury, which had five weight class champs, racked up 298 points to win the title by more than 150. Warde finished as the runner-up with 236.5 points, and Staples was third with 183. Trumbull (161) and Ridgefield (99.5) rounded out the top five.
Danbury had so many finalists it meant a lost bet and a slightly different hair color for their coach.
“I lost a bet with my kids,” Ricky Shook said. “I thought we’d have nine, maybe 10 (finalists), and since we had more, I get my hair colored.”
“We wrestled really good all day,” Shook added. “We were overmatched in a couple of the finals, but we had some good fight in us. It was a total team effort.”
Danbury won two of the first three title bouts, as DJ Donovan topped McMahon’s Jeff Cocchia, 11-6, at 220 pounds, and heavyweight Jordan Agosto pinned Staples’ Jacob Rizy in 3:18, in a rematch of last year’s final which was won by Rizy.
The two early victories had the Hatters fired up.
“It’s always fun watching that because every team’s against us,” senior Ryan Jack said. “Watching (Agosto) pin that kid was amazing because if it was the other way around, everyone in the building would be going crazy. When it’s us, no one’s cheering — it’s just us. So it’s pretty cool when one of our guys wins like that.”
At 138, Danbury’s Ryan Jack pins Stamford’s Ryan Gover in 1:47 #ctwr @GameTimeCT pic.twitter.com/HEamVpnqHp
— Dave Stewart (@DStewartSports) February 15, 2020
Jack accomplished the rare feat of winning four FCIAC championships when he defeated Stamford’s Ryan Gover via pinfall at 1:47 in the 138-pound final.
“It’s special to win four titles,” Jack said. “I just worked hard to get here and every year, you’ve got to work harder. Every year is different competition, so you’ve got to make sure you’re healthy and prepared.”
“There’s not many ever (who have won four), and he’s going for his fourth LL and Open, and that’s a rare feat,” Shook said of Jack. “He’s a special kid and he’s helped all our kids in the lineup.”
Kai O’Dell won his second straight league crown when he defeated Warde’s Lucas Coleman, 7-1, at 113 pounds; and Tyler Johnson pinned Westhill’s Bryson Thomas in 1:51 at 126 pounds.
New Canaan’s Tyler Sung gets a reverse on his way to a 7-2 win over Warde’s Cole Shaughnessy at 152. #ctwr @GameTimeCT pic.twitter.com/V1lkSXoHzT
— Dave Stewart (@DStewartSports) February 15, 2020
New Canaan’s Tyler Sung captured his third straight FCIAC title by beating Warde’s Cole Shaughnessy, 7-2, in the 152-pound final.
Sung, who was recovering from an injury for much of the season, wrestled in only five matches since returning to the mats 10 days ago, but ran the tournament table. He was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler for the upper weights.
“Going out there I felt great,” Sung said. “I think some people were nervous with me just coming back, but getting in there, I just focused on my game plan and didn’t change anything up. It was a tough match and he’s a lot better than last year, but it doesn’t change what I’m going to do. I’m going to perform at my best.”
Trailing 8-1, Greenwich’s Carlos DeWinter pins Danbury’s Kevin Pina in the 120 lb final #ctwr @GameTimeCT pic.twitter.com/tgx171Ijht
— Dave Stewart (@DStewartSports) February 15, 2020
One of the more dramatic moments came at 120 pounds, as Greenwich’s Carlos DeWinter was trailing Danbury’s Kevin Pina, 8-1, but turned the tables and won via pinfall in 4:50. DeWinter was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler for the lower weights.
Staples claimed two weight class championships and has grown by leaps and bounds the past two years. The Wreckers were 14th two seasons ago, finished fourth last year, and made the move to third this season.
“It’s been fantastic,” Staples coach Fred Mills said. “They’ve worked really hard this year. Last year was a big step up for us and this year, we placed 11 wrestlers at the FCIACs, which is fantastic. And we’re a young team, so we’re going to be good for a while. We’re trying to build a program.”
Staples’ Nicholas Augeri kicked off the championship finals when he pinned Warde’s Griffin Gallati in 3:17 of the 195-pound bout.
“It was a little bit nerve-wracking at first because that match was like whoever made the first move,” Mills said. “He’s only a sophomore, but he’s one of our leaders and one of our best wrestlers. He’s been doing it all year for us, so that was exciting.”
The Wreckers also had a victory from Luke Molina, who won a hard-fought match against Danbury’s Daniel Camacho, 6-4, at 160 pounds.
Trumbull had two champions. At 106 pounds, Michael Longo defeated Ridgefield’s Alex Blaha by technical fall, 16-0; and at 132 pounds, Jack Ryan won a second straight title with a 9-1 win over Danbury’s Matt Lucas.
Warde, which had four finalists, received a championship from Will Ebert, who edged Danbury’s Logan Kovacs 1-0 in the 145-pound bout.
Westhill and Norwalk scored victories In the final two matches of the meet.
Westhill’s Tommy Mazur shut out Danbury’s Jaylen Hawkins, 10-0, at 170 pounds.
Norwalk’s Brendan Gilchrist picked up his win with a pinfall, beating Danbury’s Tyrell Jones in 5:27 of the 182-pound final.
david.stewart@hearstmediact.com; @dstewartsports
2020 Joe Sikorski FCIAC Wrestling Tournament
Team scores: 1 Danbury 298; 2 Warde 236.5; 3 Staples 184; 4 Trumbull 161; 5 Ridgefield 99.5; 6 Brien McMahon 91, 7 Greenwich 81.5, 8 Westhill 75; 9 New Canaan 66.5; 10 Stamford 54; 11 Wilton 45; 12 Norwalk 29, 13 Ludlowe 27; 14 Darien 8.
