Unsportsmanlike conduct call that cost RHAM in Class M finals will stand

RHAM’s Michael Marques (195) has East Haven’s Jason Toth on his back in Saturday’s final in Milford. Marques won by a pin.

The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the finals that cost RHAM one point at the Class M championships will stand after the result was reviewed by the CIAC and the National Federation, according to GameTimeCT.com.

RHAM thought they had clinched the Class M title with a pin by Michael Marques at 195 pounds. But the Raptors were penalized one point when a member of the team celebrated on the mat with his teammates with his singlet around his waist.

With the penalty, RHAM’s half-point lead disappeared putting the Raptors a half point behind Avon. When RHAM failed to win in a consolation round bout at 285 pounds, Avon won their first state championship in 29 years with a 196½ to 196 victory.

According to GameTimeCT, the penalty was reviewed by the CIAC’s state interpreter and by the National Federation of High Schools according to CIAC Executive Director Glenn Lungarini.

“We wanted to make sure that the call was the appropriate call and that the appropriate penalty was assessed,” Lungarini said.

More from GameTimeCT.com

More about the Class M tournament and Avon’s victory over RHAM