By MAX SCHWARTZ
Special to Connecticut Wrestling Online
There is just one final challenge left for high school wrestlers in New England – this weekend’s New England championships at the Providence Career and Technical Academy beginning Friday and concluding on Saturday.
It took a lot of hard work and sacrifice to get an invitation to compete here.
The top seven wrestlers from Massachusetts’ All-State tournament earned an invitation along with the top five wrestlers from Connecticut’s State Open championships. The top three wrestlers from the respective state championship meets in Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire will also be in attendance.
There are new No. 1 wrestlers in the final ranking of the season as all 14 wrestlers successfully captured championships in their respective states.
These are the final public high school rankings of the year. Thank you to all of those who emailed updates/results throughout the season. Best of luck to all the athletes set to compete this weekend.
You can check out the brackets here.
106
While there is no change at No. 1 with Xavier’s Raekwon Shabazz, there are several changes in the top 10. Shabazz met No. 8 Cristian Pote (Danbury, CT) in the semifinals of the Connecticut State Open and won handily. Pote also lost to No. 7 Jack Gedney (Lewis Mills, CT) in the bronze medal match.
No. 2 Yandel Morales (Andover, MA) won Massachusetts’ All-State championships, beating No. 4 Emmet Logan (Lowell, MA) in the finals. Logan beat No. 10. Mike Morris (Haverhill, MA) and No. 9 Charlie Lussier (Whitman-Hanson, MA) en route to the championship bout.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Raekwon Shabazz | CT | Xavier | Jr. | 1 |
2 | Yandel Morales | MA | Andover | Fr. | 3 |
3 | Brady Oulette | ME | Noble | Fr. | 4 |
4 | Emmet Logan | MA | Lowell | Fr. | 5 |
5 | Coy Lyford | VT | Spaulding | Sr. | 6 |
6 | Ben Fournier | CT | RHAM | Jr. | NR |
7 | Jack Gedney | CT | Lewis Mills | Fr. | NR |
8 | Cristian Pote | CT | Danbury | So. | 2 |
9 | Charlie Lussier | MA | Whitman-Hanson | So. | 8 |
10 | Mike Morris | MA | Haverhill | So. | 7 |
11 | Evan Lynch | NH | Salem | Fr. | 12 |
12 | Denzel Monteiro | RI | Hope | Fr. | NR |
113
No. 1 Isaiah Adams (Avon, CT) dominated the State Open in Connecticut, only allowing No. 7 Braylon Gonzalez (Xavier, CT) to go the full six minutes in a 5-2 semifinals victory. No. 3 James Blood (Sanford, ME) won Maine’s New England qualifying tournament, while No. 2 Alex Schaueublin (St. John’s Prep), No. 4 Jared Hood (Ponaganset, RI) and No. 5 Peter Rincan (Bedford, NH) each won state titles. Freshmen No. 11 Cahota Lafond (Colchester, VT) continued his great season with a Vermont state title.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Isaiah Adams | CT | Avon | Sr. | 1 |
2 | Alex Schaeublin | MA | St. John’s Prep | Sr. | 2 |
3 | James Blood | ME | Sanford | Sr. | 3 |
4 | Jared Hood | RI | Ponaganset | Jr. | 4 |
5 | Peter Rincan | NH | Bedford | Fr. | 5 |
6 | Ryan Conlan | RI | La Salle Academy | Sr. | 6 |
7 | Braylon Gonzalez | CT | Xavier | Fr. | 7 |
8 | Anthony Vickers | MA | Northbridge | Jr. | 8 |
9 | Shea Morris | MA | Haverhill | Fr. | 11 |
10 | Brodey McDonald | NH | Salem | Jr. | 10 |
11 | Cahota Lafond | VT | Colchester | Fr. | 12 |
12 | Kyden Merlin | CT | South Windsor | So. | NR |
120
The biggest mover in these rankings at 120 is No. 7 Brandon Winn (Brockton, MA). The senior took out No. 9 Brent Von Magnus (Bridgewater-Raynham, MA) in the semis at the Massachusetts’ All-State meet and lost to No. 4 Brayton Carbone (Shawsheen Tech, MA) in the finals. Von Magnus would lose the third place bout in a rematch from the week before against No. 8 Miles Darling (Essex/Masconomet, MA).
No. 10 Caden Brusso (Hollis-Brookline, NH) won a state title at New Hampshire’s Meet of Champions and No. 11 Jaiden James (Norwich Free Academy, CT) took second in Connecticut at the State Open, losing to No. 5 Joe Mahoney (New Fairfield, CT) in the finals.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Peyton Ellis | RI | Coventry | Jr. | 1 |
2 | Ayden Cofone | ME | Windham/GNG | So. | 2 |
3 | David Perez | RI | Ponaganset | Fr. | 3 |
4 | Brayton Carbone | MA | Shawsheen Tech | So. | 4 |
5 | Joe Mahoney | CT | New Fairfield | So. | 6 |
6 | Cameron Davis | RI | Cranston West | Jr. | NR |
7 | Brandon Winn | MA | Brockton | Sr. | 12 |
8 | Miles Darling | MA | Essex Tech/Masconomet | Jr. | 9 |
9 | Brent Von Magnus | MA | Bridgewater-Raynham | So. | 7 |
10 | Caden Brusso | NH | Hollis-Brookline | Jr. | 10 |
11 | Jaiden James | CT | Norwich Free Academy | Sr. | NR |
12 | Dominic Barella | CT | Ridgefield | Jr. | NR |
126
The top two wrestlers at 126 pounds, Jacob Joyce (Ponaganset, RI) and Julian Henderson (Camden Hills, ME), each won their respective state tournament while No. 3 Dominick Spadaro (Fairfield Warde, CT) won Connecticut’s State Open by throwing No. 4 Vincent Tripaldi (New Fairfield, CT) to his back with 10 seconds left in the final.
No. 12 Kai Ly (Minnechaug, MA) enters the rankings after placing fifth in Massachusetts’ All-State meet. The freshman beat No. 7 Dylan Kadish (Newton South, MA) in the championship bracket, 10-8, though he fell to Kadish 4-2 in the consolation semifinals. Kadish would go on to place third. No. 8 Andrew McCarthy (Mount Hope, RI) placed second in Rhode Island, losing in the finals after gutting out a close 3-1 win over No. 10 Stone Farnsworth (Coventry, RI) in the semifinal to get him there.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Jacob Joyce | RI | Ponaganset | Sr. | 1 |
2 | Julian Henderson | ME | Camden Hills | Sr. | 2 |
3 | Dominick Spadaro | CT | Fairfield Warde | So. | 5 |
4 | Vincent Tripadi | CT | New Fairfield | Jr. | 11 |
5 | Phoenix Gardella | CT | Norwalk | Jr. | 3 |
6 | Jack Callahan | MA | Tewksbury | Sr. | 7 |
7 | Dylan Kadish | MA | Newton South | Jr. | 4 |
8 | Andrew McCarthy | RI | Mount Hope | So. | 10 |
9 | Michael Boulaunger Jr. | MA | Milford | So. | 9 |
10 | Stone Farnsworth | RI | Coventry | Sr. | 6 |
11 | Nathan Sayers | MA | Xaverian | So. | 8 |
12 | Kai Ly | MA | Minnechaug | Fr. | NR |
132
The top 6 remain the same at 132 pounds. No. 9 Dylan Davis (Wells, ME) enters the rankings again after being previously listed a majority of the season. Davis won the New England qualifier in Maine, beating No. 10 Gavin Ripley (Oceanside, ME) in the final, 10-4. Ripley had got the best of Davis two times earlier this season.
No. 8 Shaun McLaughlin (Natick, MA) placed third in Massachusetts’ All-State meet after losing to No. 2 Jonah Paulino (Monty Tech, MA), 9-0 in the semifinal. No. 12 Nocholas D’Lassandro (Londonderry, NH) enters the rankings after winning a state title at New Hampshire’s Meet of Champions.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Hayden Myers | RI | Coventry | Sr. | 1 |
2 | Jonah Paulino | MA | Monty Tech | Jr. | 2 |
3 | James Tildsley | MA | Shawsheen Tech | Fr. | 3 |
4 | Kaden Ware | CT | Killingly | Sr. | 4 |
5 | Kyle Levesque | CT | Xavier | Jr. | 5 |
6 | Connor Swaim | RI | North Kingston | Sr. | 6 |
7 | William Leischner | RI | Ponaganset | So. | 9 |
8 | Shaun McLaughlin | MA | Natick | Sr. | 11 |
9 | Dylan Davis | ME | Wells | Jr. | NR |
10 | Gavin Ripley | ME | Oceanside | Jr. | 8 |
11 | Eli Brace | VT | Vergennes | Sr. | 12 |
12 | Nicholas D’Lassendro | NH | Londonderry | Sr. | NR |
138
There is plenty of movement in the top 12 here at 138 pounds. No. 4 Cam Ice (Minnechuag, MA) moves up after placing second in Massachusetts’ All-State meet. Ice beat No. 5 Jaydin D’Ambrosio (St. John’s Prep, MA) 5-2 and had a come-from-behind pin against No. 6 Tyler Kadish (Newton South, MA).
Four unranked wrestlers enter the top 12. No. 9 Eneas Castillo (Cranston East, RI) had a great run in the Rhode Island tournament, losing only to No. 7 Joe Joyce (Ponaganset, RI) in the finals. No. 10 Kaden Dustin (Noble, ME) enters the rankings again after winning Maine’s New England qualifier tournament, beating No. 12 Trevor Perkins (Bonny Eagle, ME) 6-3 in the finals. No. 11 Elias Kalat (Spaulding, VT) also brought a state title back home and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler of Vermont’s state championship tournament.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Sidney Tildsley | MA | Shawsheen Tech | So. | 1 |
2 | Jackez Mendez | CT | East Hartford | So. | 2 |
3 | Anthony Basile | CT | Xavier | Jr. | 3 |
4 | Cam Ice | MA | Minnechaug | Sr. | 6 |
5 | Jaydin D’Ambrosio | MA | St. John’s Prep | Jr. | 4 |
6 | Tyler Kadish | MA | Newton South | Sr. | 5 |
7 | Joe Joyce | RI | Ponaganset | Fr. | 8 |
8 | Aiden Williams | NH | Windham | Sr. | 11 |
9 | Eneas Castillo | RI | Cranston East | Sr. | NR |
10 | Kaden Dustin | ME | Noble | So. | NR |
11 | Elias Kalat | VT | Spaulding | Sr. | NR |
12 | Trevor Perkins | ME | Bonny Eagle | Sr. | NR |
145
No. 4 Xayden Natal (Monty Tech, MA), who came in second in at Massachusetts’ All-State championship meet moves up seven spots. Natal beat No. 5 Luke Connolly (Northeast Metro Tech, MA) 3-1 in the semifinals. No. 6 Teghan McConnell (Bedford, NH) won a New Hampshire state title, while No. 8 Aiden Clark (Skowhegan, ME) took first in Maine’s New England qualifying event.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Gabriel Bouyssou | RI | Scituate | Jr. | 1 |
2 | Elliot Humphries | MA | Minnechaug | Jr. | 2 |
3 | Thomas Bock | CT | New Fairfield | Sr. | 3 |
4 | Xayden Natal | MA | Monty Tech | Sr. | 11 |
5 | Luke Connolly | MA | Northeast Metro Tech | Jr. | 4 |
6 | Teghan McConnell | NH | Bedford | Sr. | 10 |
7 | William Smith | CT | Fairfield Prep | Jr. | 9 |
8 | Aiden Clark | ME | Skowhegan | Sr. | NR |
9 | Jonah Weber | CT | Avon | Sr. | 7 |
10 | Anthony Mann | MA | Hanover | Jr. | 8 |
11 | Colby Vital | RI | Bishop Hendricken | Fr. | 12 |
12 | Marc Maruth | CT | Newtown | So. | NR |
152
The top four wrestlers at 152 each won their respective state championship tournament with relative ease. No. 5 Brock DesMarias (Tyngsborough, MA) placed second in Massachusetts’ All-State tournament pinning No. 9 Paul Barrett (East Longmeadow, MA) in the semifinals. Barrett would go on to place third.
No. 11 Jeremey Devine (RHAM, CT) took third in Connecticut’s State Open, beating No. 12 Donnell Young (Fairfield Ludlowe, CT), 8-4. A couple of wrestlers rose due to their in-state performances. No. 8 Luca Manfredi (Newtown, CT) made it to the State Open final and No. 10 Lucas Libby (Mountain Valley, ME) also made it to the final in Maine’s New England qualifying tournament.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Jack Richardson | CT | Killingly | Sr. | 1 |
2 | Jason Hood | RI | Ponaganset | Sr. | 2 |
3 | Derek Cote | ME | Noble | Sr. | 3 |
4 | Drew McGourty | MA | Braintree | Jr. | 4 |
5 | Brock DesMarias | MA | Tyngsborough | Sr. | 8 |
6 | David Pento Jr. | NH | Londonderry | So. | 6 |
7 | Luke Montefuso | RI | Cranston West | Sr. | 5 |
8 | Luca Manfredi | CT | Newtown | Sr. | 12 |
9 | Paul Barrett | MA | Longmeadow | Sr. | NR |
10 | Lucas Libby | ME | Mountain Valley | Jr. | NR |
11 | Jeremey Devine | CT | RHAM | Sr. | NR |
12 | Donnell Young | CT | Fairfield Ludlowe | Jr. | 7 |
160
The top four wrestlers at 160 pounds are electric. No. 1 Rawson Iwanicki (St. John’s Prep, MA) beat No. 3 Brent Nicolosi (Haverhill, MA), 5-3, in overtime in Massachusetts’ All-State tournament. The two unfortunately met in the semifinals due to MIAA seeding rules. No. 2 Andrew Reall (Ponagansett, RI) won the Rhode Island state tournament with an 8-0 win over No. 7 Connor Winfield (Narragansett, RI). No. 4 Khalil Bourjelli (New Milford, CT) beat No. 5 Dravyn Roberts (East Hartford, CT), 9-1 to win his first State Open title in Connecticut after two years of being off the mat due to the COVID-19 pandemic (cancelled season) and an injury last season. Bourjelli was named Outstanding Wrestler at the State Open.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Rawson Iwanicki | MA | St. John’s Prep | Sr. | 1 |
2 | Andrew Reall | RI | Ponaganset | Sr. | 2 |
3 | Brent Nicholosi | MA | Haverhill | Jr. | 3 |
4 | Khalil Bourjeli | CT | New Milford | Sr. | 4 |
5 | Dravyn Roberts | CT | East Hartford | So. | 5 |
6 | Joseph Tulley | MA | Carver | Sr. | 6 |
7 | Connor Winfield | RI | Narragansett | Sr. | 8 |
8 | Curtis Ewing Jr. | MA | Saint John’s | Sr. | NR |
9 | Colby Cloutier | MA | King Phillip | Jr. | 12 |
10 | Mateo Mustapha | NH | Salem | Sr. | 10 |
11 | Jack Arpey | VT | Mt. Mansfield | Sr. | 11 |
12 | Braden Campbell | RI | Bishop Hendricken | So. | 9 |
170
The top four at 170 remain in place but there was movement in the top 12. No. 2 Isael Perez (Hope, RI) beat No. 3 Nicholas Baccala (Ponaganset, RI) in overtime in the finals of the Rhode Island championships, and No. 4 Fisher Stites (Newtown, CT) came out ahead with a close 5-3 victory in the finals of the Connecticut State Open against No. 6 Ryan Gilchrist (Norwalk, CT).
No. 7 Gabriel Thomasson (Norton, MA) enters the rankings for the first time this season, as he placed second in Massachusetts’ All-State tournament. Thomasson had a 6-5 win over No. 8 Jack Walsh (Chelmsford, MA) as part of his run. The New Hampshire and Maine state champions, respectively, have found spots in the rankings with No. 10 Patrick O’Connor (Londonderry, NH) and No. 11 Gavin Tanner (Windham/GNG, ME).
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Rafael Knapp | MA | Algonquin | Sr. | 1 |
2 | Isael Perez | RI | Hope | Jr. | 2 |
3 | Nicholas Baccala | RI | Ponaganset | Sr. | 3 |
4 | Fisher Stites | CT | Newtown | Jr. | 4 |
5 | Aaron Johnson | VT | Mount Anthony Union | Sr. | 6 |
6 | Ryan Gilchrist | CT | Norwalk | Sr. | 8 |
7 | Gabriel Thomasson | MA | Norton | Sr. | NR |
8 | Jack Walsh | MA | Chelmsford | Sr. | 9 |
9 | Tyler Hunter | RI | Toll Gate | Sr. | 5 |
10 | Patrick O’Connor | NH | Londonderry | Jr. | NR |
11 | Gavin Tanner | ME | Windham/GNG | Jr. | NR |
12 | Jacob Martone | CT | Haddam-Killingworth | Sr. | NR |
182
A big newcomer at 182 pounds is No. 5 Matthew Walsh (Bedford/AB, MA), who finished second at the Massachusetts All-State tournament and had a close 10-8 win over No. 6 Mason Pellegri (Milton, MA). Walsh would lose in the finals to No. 1 Nate Blachette (Central Catholic, MA) via an 18-7 major decision.
No. 7 Charles Weidman (Xavier, CT) won in Connecticut State Open while No. 8 Anthony Fernandez (Nashua South, NH) won New Hampshire’s Meet of Champions. Two more newcomers were added to the rankings. No. 11 Thomas Murphy (Champlain Valley, VT) won the state title in Vermont with No. 12 Timber Parlin (Erskine, ME) dropping a 12-6 decision to No. 3 Issac Heiner (Mattanawcook/Lee, ME) in Maine’s New England qualifier finals.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Nate Blanchette | MA | Central Catholic | Jr. | 1 |
2 | Spencer Fine | RI | Bishop Hendricken | Jr. | 2 |
3 | Issac Heiner | ME | Mattanawcook/Lee | Sr. | 4 |
4 | Preston Marchessault | RI | Ponaganset | So. | 5 |
5 | Matthew Walsh | MA | Bedford/AB | Sr. | NR |
6 | Mason Pellegri | MA | Milton | Jr. | 3 |
7 | Charles Weidman | CT | Xavier | So. | 8 |
8 | Anthony Fernandez | NH | Nashua South | Sr. | 9 |
9 | Joshua Nieroda | CT | Suffield/Windsor Locks | Sr. | 11 |
10 | Brayden Soleau | CT | East Lyme/Norwich Tech | So. | 7 |
11 | Thomas Murphy | VT | Champlain Valley | Jr. | NR |
12 | Timber Parlin | ME | Erskine | Sr. | NR |
195
No. 3 Imanol Tavares (Hope, RI) won a title in Rhode Island, besting No. 4 Corbin Maraia (Chariho, RI), 3-1 in the finals. No. 1 Brendan Gilchrist (Norwalk, CT) won the State Open in Connecticut with a 6-4 win over No. 5 Sammy Montovani (East Hartford, CT), a rematch from a week ago of their CIAC Class LL final. No. 2 Nathan Leach (Bridgewater-Raynham, MA) won the title at the Massachusetts All-State tournament. He beat No. 7 Michael Toppan 4-3 in the finals.
No. 9 Chris Robbins (Conval, NH) enters the rankings after winning gold in New Hampshire’s Meet of Champions with a 6-2 win over No. 11 Joshua Nossaman (Plymouth, NH). No. 12 Paxton Green took third in Massachusetts.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Brendan Gilchrist | CT | Norwalk | Sr. | 1 |
2 | Nathan Leach | MA | Bridgewater-Raynham | Sr. | 3 |
3 | Imanol Tavares | RI | Hope | Sr. | 4 |
4 | Corbin Maraia | RI | Chariho | Sr. | 2 |
5 | Sammy Montovani | CT | East Hartford | Jr. | 5 |
6 | Jake Kszywanos | CT | Stratford | Sr. | 8 |
7 | Michael Toppan | MA | Gloucester | Jr. | 11 |
8 | Malachi Fowler | CT | Windham | So. | 10 |
9 | Chris Robbins | NH | Conval | Sr. | NR |
10 | James Dube | ME | Mattanawcook/Lee | Sr. | NR |
11 | Joshua Nossaman | NH | Plymouth | Sr. | NR |
12 | Paxton Green | MA | Tewksbury | Jr. | NR |
220
No. 1 Jayden Toppan (Gloucester, MA) successfully defended his ranking with a victory in Massachusetts’ All-State tournament, beating No. 4 Logan Frank (Taunton, MA) in the finals, 4-2. No. 3 Logan Reiner (South Kingstown, RI) is the biggest mover in this weight class after winning the Rhode Island state tournament. He pinned No. 6 Andrew Archibald (Cranston West, RI) in the finals.
No. 7 Kaden Cyr (Bonny Eagle, ME) got revenge on No. 10 Jared Breton (Massabessic, ME) with a win in the final of Maine’s New England qualifier. No. 2 James Duhancik (Stratford, CT) won in Connecticut, beating new No. 9 Naszir Matthews (Fitch, CT) in the State Open finals. No. 11 Nehemias Pettway (Fairfield Warde, CT) placed third.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Jayden Toppan | MA | Gloucester | Jr. | 1 |
2 | James Duhancik | CT | Stratford | Sr. | 3 |
3 | Logan Reiner | RI | South Kingstown | Sr. | 8 |
4 | Logan Frank | MA | Taunton | Sr. | NR |
5 | Matt Harold | MA | Haverhill | Fr. | 6 |
6 | Andrew Archibald | RI | Cranston West | Sr. | 4 |
7 | Kaden Cyr | ME | Bonny Eagle | Jr. | 9 |
8 | Ashton Wonson | MA | Triton | Sr. | 7 |
9 | Naszir Matthews | CT | Fitch | Sr. | NR |
10 | Jared Breton | ME | Massabesic | Sr. | 10 |
11 | Nehemias Pettway | CT | Fairfield Warde | Sr. | 11 |
12 | Charlie Turner | NH | Portsmouth | Sr. | 12 |
285
The top four at heavyweight remain unchanged. A new addition however, is No. 6 Malachi Mercer-Robinson (Fairfield Prep, CT). Mercer-Robinson placed second in the Connecticut’s Class LL and State Open tournaments, losing only to No. 4 Nuh Adjunski (Danbury, CT) in both events. No. 8 Johnny Lettre (Coney, ME) won Maine’s New England qualifier beating No. 10 Nate Malloy (Wells, ME) in the finals with a pin.
No. 11 John Pedro Pires (Catholic Memorial, MA) joins the rankings for the first after a solid fourth place finish in Massachusetts’ All-State tournament. No. 12 Keonta Crawford (Enfield, CT) also placed fourth in Connecticut at the State Open.
Rank | Name | State | School | Grade | Last Rank |
1 | Thomas Brown | MA | Chelmsford | So. | 1 |
2 | Hampton Kaye-Kuter | MA | Milford | Sr. | 2 |
3 | Malaki Colon | NH | Timberlane | Sr. | 3 |
4 | Nuh Adjunski | CT | Danbury | Sr. | 4 |
5 | Brayden Marceau | MA | Melrose | Sr. | 6 |
6 | Malachi Mercer-Robinson | CT | Fairfield Prep | Sr. | NR |
7 | Doug Traynor | CT | New Fairfield | Sr. | 5 |
8 | Johnny Lettre | ME | Coney | Sr. | 9 |
9 | Joseph Church | RI | Bishop Hendricken | Sr. | 10 |
10 | Nate Malloy | ME | Wells | So. | 12 |
11 | John Pedro Pires | MA | Catholic Memorial | Jr. | NR |
12 | Keonta Crawford | CT | Enfield | Jr. | NR |
Team Tournament Race
The team rankings are based on the number of ranked wrestlers in each weight class.
One team has been above the rest all season. No. 1 Ponaganset High Chieftains (Gloucester, RI) have been in the top spot since opening night and haven’t budged one bit. The Chieftains looked sharp winning the Rhode Island championship on Saturday.
No. 2 Xavier (Middletown, CT) won Connecticut’s State Open, and No. 4 St. John’s Prep (Danvers, MA) took first in Massachusetts’ All-State championships. No. 3 Shawsheen Tech (Billerica, MA) took sixth at the All-State tournament, but qualified three wrestlers who each have a good chance to win this weekend at the New England championships.
No. 5 Coventry (RI) took fourth in Rhode Island with a pair of champions while No. 6 New Fairfield (CT) took second in Connecticut, going two-for-three in first place bouts.
Injuries got the best of No. 8 East Hartford (CT), as they lost two athletes from their postseason squad to drop their number of New England qualifiers to three. However, all five Hornets that were ranked in the last edition of rankings will be returning next season. No. 9 Killingly (CT) placed eighth in Connecticut’s State Open, two spots behind No. 7 Norwalk (CT). No. 10 Hope (Providence, RI) was the second-place finisher in Rhode Island. Back in Massachusetts, it was No. 11 Minnechaug (Wilbraham, MA) and No. 20 Milford (MA) who were challengers to St. John’s Prep. The Falcons and Scarlet Hawks finished second and third in the team race. No. 15 Noble (North Berwick, ME) was the top team at Maine’s New England qualifying event. No official team scores are kept for this event, but fans online created theoretical team scores based on results.
Rank | Points | School | Ranked | State | Last Rank |
1 | 120 | Ponaganset | 10 | RI | 1 |
2 | 55 | Xavier | 5 | CT | 3 |
3 | 49 | Shawsheen Tech | 3 | MA | 6 |
4 | 46.5 | St. John’s Prep | 3 | MA | 2 |
5 | 43.5 | Coventry | 3 | RI | 5 |
6 | 41.5 | New Fairfield | 4 | CT | 9 |
7 | 38.5 | Norwalk | 3 | CT | 8 |
8 | 36.5 | East Hartford | 3 | CT | 4 |
9 | 32.5 | Killingly | 2 | CT | 12 |
10 | 31 | Hope | 3 | RI | 10 |
T-11 | 30.5 | Haverhill | 4 | MA | 11 |
T-11 | 30.5 | Minnechaug | 3 | MA | 16 |
13 | 29 | Monty Tech | 2 | MA | NR |
13 | 26 | Gloucester | 2 | MA | NR |
15 | 25.5 | Noble | 2 | ME | 14 |
16 | 25.5 | Chelmsford | 2 | MA | 17 |
17 | 25 | Stratford | 2 | CT | NR |
18 | 24 | Avon | 2 | CT | 13 |
19 | 21.5 | Bishop Hendricken | 4 | RI | 15 |
T-20 | 20.5 | Milford | 2 | MA | 18 |
T-20 | 20.5 | Bridgewater-Raynham | 2 | MA | NR |
Max Schwartz has published multiple pieces with wrestling giant Flowrestling.com, including pre-covid New England rankings, as well as with up-and-coming Division I wrestling news site Fancowrestling.com. Max grew up in Norwalk, Conn., where he wrestled for Norwalk High. This is his second year doing New England rankings for Connecticut Wrestling Online. You can reach Max at [email protected].
Connecticut Wrestling Online has been covering the sport of wrestling in Connecticut and New England since 2001.