The premier in-season high school wrestling tournament nationwide came and went last week, with several Connecticut-based wrestlers making runs deep into the final stages.
Danbury’s Ryan Jack (126) was the last in-state grappler at the Beast of the East tournament, placing fourth to become the highest finisher for any Connecticut athlete. Teammate Jordan Agosto (285) went 3-2 in the competition to advance to the championship round, while New Canaan’s Tyler Sung (145) went 5-2. Danbury’s Kyle Fields (132) also went 3-2.
Danbury finished 35th out of 115 teams that scored points in the event.
That was far from the only competition taking place that included top talent, though. The George Bossi tournament took place in Lowell, Mass. on Thursday and Friday, and produced a pair of local champions. The event featured many of the top wrestlers from New England.
Southington’s Paul Calo (182) pinned Granby’s Ben Kibby in the semifinals, then won a 12-1 decision over Sterling McLaughlin (Derryfield, NH) to win the title. Calo is the defending New England champion. Teammate Jacob Cardozo also won his 100th bout en route to third place at 145.
Fairfield Warde’s Will Ebert (126), Noah Zuckerman (152) and Joe Gjinaj (195) reached their respective final to move the Mustangs up the team standings. Gjinaj scored a 3-2 win in a tiebreaker over Mount Anthony’s Sampson Wilkins to claim the title.
The win over the defending New England champion was a special one for Gjinaj, as it was the 100th of his stellar career.
Simsbury took second place in its host tournament, the Chaves Invitational, and a number of Connecticut wrestlers took home individual titles. One of the top 182-pounders in the state, Barlow’s Carson Licastri earned a win over Kibby while teammate Josh Brault won the 106 title. Simsbury’s Andrew Oken at 138 pounds was the lone champion for the host, though they had four finalists.
MEET TO WATCH
Hand @ Amity, Thursday, 6 p.m.: Hand placed second in the SCC last season while Amity was fourth. Just one of 40 dual meets scheduled for Thursday across the state.
