Ledyard sophomore Lukas Boxley won his second New England championship on Sunday in Providence.
PROVIDENCE, March 8, 2026 – The Ponaganset High wrestling team and their dynasty at the New England championships was at risk Sunday in Providence.
The Chieftains won the past three New England titles by an average of 77 points, including a 112-point victory a year ago over Xavier.
When Sunday’s championship finals began, Ponaganset had just an 8½ point lead over Xavier with each team placing two wrestlers in the finals.
But each team went 1-1 in the finals and the Chieftains won their New England championship Sunday, 128½ to 119 over Xavier, which finished second for the third time in the last four years.
Connecticut had four individual champions and eight wrestlers in the finals. Ledyard sophomore Lukas Boxley (138) won his second straight New England championship and secured his 100th career win in the final while Xavier sophomore Zack Dixon (120) picked up his first New England title.
A week after a tough overtime loss in the State Open finals, Ridgefield’s John Carrozza (144) won a New England championship while Middletown’s Isaiah McDaniel (150) avenged a one-point loss to rival Alex Lamarre of Bristol Central with a 10-6 victory and a New England title.
Bunnell’s Mael Pierre-Paul, an All-American soccer player and the state soccer player of the year, finished second at 126 pounds along with Danbury’s Harrison Muller (175) and Xavier’s Chase Catalano (190).
Xavier’s Josh Perez (106), Ridgefield’s Cole Desiano (113), Newtown’s Antonio Arguello (157), Gilbert co-op’s Evan Schibi (165), Xavier’s Vincent Rivera (175) and Fairfield Warde’s Dylan O’Brian (190) each finished third.
Ridgefield’s Dylan Meyers (132), Conard’s Harry Marino (165) and Lyme-Old Lyme’s Taiyo Gemme (215) each finished fourth.
Xavier had five medalists, led by Dixon at 120 pounds. Leading 1-0 in the third period, he got a two-point near fall in the final seconds to beat freshman and Massachusetts champion Lucas Copper (59-8) of Central Catholic in Lawrence, Mass., 3-0. He rode out Copper in the third period.
Dixon also beat Maine champion Dominic Simpson in the semifinals, 13-0.
“I think personally I can ride out anyone in the country,” Dixon said. “You just have to put your head down and work. It all comes back to practice and getting pushed in the (Xavier wrestling) room to get better.”
Dixon praised his teammates and the tough schedule that Xavier endures each season. This year, it included out-of-state trips to Wisconsin, Delaware, Virginia, Massachusetts and Maryland.
“(It was) lots of practice, tough matches this season and a lot of good guys in the room pushing me to get better,” he said. “It all led up to that.”
At 190 pounds, Massachusetts Sam Josey of Saint John’s Prep had a pair of one-point decisions in semifinal and final where he beat Catalano, 4-3 thanks to a first period takedown and a third period escape. Josey had a 3-2 win in the semifinals thanks to another first period takedown.
Catalano won his semifinal match over Rhode Island champion Dante West of Cranston West, 7-6, thanks to a takedown with 1:24 remaining in the third period.
“We wrestled well for a younger team,” Xavier’s Hall of Fame head coach Mike Cunningham said. “Ponaganset is a tough team. We had a chance there until they won at 165 pounds. We’re knocking at the door. We just to get over the hump.”
Xavier brought eight wrestlers to the New England tournament and just one was a senior. There were three freshmen and three juniors representing the Falcons.
“Our team has been through quite a bit of adversity in this tournament and this season,” Ponaganset co-coach Steve Mineo said. “We lost two top notch starters, New England champions early on in December.”
The Chieftains still won but it was closer and tighter. The margin of error had been reduced.
“All of those moments prepared us for this moment (New England tournament) which was a fight to the end,” Mineo said. “Xavier and Central Catholic put up a lot of points and had fantastic teams.”
Ponaganset got some key victories late from Cole Lemovitz, who rallied to take third at 120 after getting pinned in the semifinals and Aplollo Bellini (132), who picked up a few extra points by pinning Xavier’s Zaphyr Musshorn to finish fifth.
Boxley (47-0, 100-1) had two pins and gave up just two points in his semifinal and championship matches. He beat Massachusetts champion Kai Ly of Minnechaug Regional in Wilbraham to win the tournament.
“He was able to dominate the tournament,” Ledyard head coach T.J. Hepburn said. “It is really his mindset. When he goes out there on the mat, he is looking to dominate. He is not just looking to win the match.”
Boxley is one of the rare wrestlers who have New England championships in their first two seasons.
Ridgefield’s John Carrozza is the first Tiger to win a New England championship in wrestling.
A week ago, Carrozza dropped a 3-1 decision in double overtime to Xavier’s Braylon Gonzalez in the finals at the State Open.
“There were a lot of roadblocks to overcome, facing a tough loss in overtime in the state finals but I stuck to the plan,” Carrozza said. “I surrendered to the outcome. I had so much confidence in my training. This was my redemption.”
It wasn’t easy. Carrozza had a 4-2 lead in the third period on James Lally of Saint John Prep’s James Lally before Lally got a takedown with 1:27 remaining to take a 5-4 lead. But Carrozza got a reversal 12 seconds later and was able to ride out Lally for a 6-5 victory.
Carrozza had to win five matches to win the championship and beat the Rhode Island champion James Rocco of Barrington, 4-0 in the second round, Maine champion Evan Madigan of Edward Little High in Auburn, 10-0 in the quarterfinals, and Massachusetts champion Jordin Agosto of Agawam by tech fall in the semifinals, 17-0.
Carrozza is the first Ridgefield wrestler to win a New England championship.
At 150 pounds, McDaniel faced Lamarre for the fifth time this season in the finals. McDaniel had won three of the previous four matches with victories in the dual meet, the Central Connecticut Conference tournament final and the Class L tournament. However, Lamarre got a 1-0 win at the State Open.
McDaniel (56-3) went 5-0 in the tournament, including a 10-6 win over Lamarre. Two takedowns and a two-point near fall gave McDaniel a commanding 8-2 lead after two periods.
“The key for me today was just aggression,” McDaniel said. “The last time we faced each other I sat back and didn’t do anything to earn the win and that is why I didn’t get it. Today, I went after him and was able to come out on top.”
McDaniel is just the third Middletown wrestler to win a New England championship. Devon Carrillo (182) won in 2012 and Orville Palmer won back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995.
Middletown’s Isaiah McDaniel and Bristol Central’s Alex Lamarre battle in the New England finals on Sunday.
A few other notable items:
Gilbert/Torrington/Wolcott Tech’s Evan Schibi (165) was trying to become the first wrestler at Gilbert to win a New England championship. But he dropped a tough 4-3 decision to Ponaganset’s Colby Vital in the quarterfinals thanks to a first period takedown and riding out Schibi in the second period.
Schibi won four straight in the consolation round including an 8-0 win over Conard’s Harry Marino – a rematch of the State Open final — in the consolation final to finish third for the second straight year. Marino is the first Conard wrestler to earn a New England medal since Lucas Muntz finished fifth in 2013.
Plainville’s Cooper Theriault-Dinelli (175) finished fifth to become the first Blue Devil to win a New England medal since 2006 when Nick Cavallo was fourth at 125.
Xavier’s Zack Dixon is the sixth Falcon to win a New England championship and the first since Charles Weidman (215) and Raekwon Shabazz (113) in 2024.
Lamarre was the first Bristol Central wrestler in the finals since Rhom Colquit (112) won a New England championship in 1992.
The 144 pound championship match between Carrozza and Lilly was voted the outstanding match of the finals.
Shawsheen Valley’s James Tildsley (157) beat Carnell Davis of Ponaganset, 4-3 for his third New England championship. His brother, Sidney, also won three New England championships.
Bunnell’s Mael Pierre-Paul finished the season 49-3 and with a career-record of 146-29. He won four bouts and beat three state champions to get to the final. He beat Maine champion Evan Kowalsky of Mt. Ararat/Brunwick, 13-2, Rhode Island champion Logan Medeiros of Barrington, 6-0 and Vermont champion Cahola Lafond of Colchester, 4-3. On his final biography submitted to the head table, he wrote, “Happy to be here. Look forward to never cutting weight again!”
Danbury’s Harrison Muller (175) finished the season at 42-6 and won an FCIAC and Class LL championship this season. He will be wrestling at Itacha College next winter.
2026 New England championships
At Providence RI
Team results (top 50): 1. Ponaganset RI 128½, 2. Xavier 119, 3. Central Catholic-Lawrence MA 105½, 4. Ridgefield 83½, 5. Scituate RI 75, 6. Shawsheen Valley Tech MA 69, 7. Saint John’s Prep-Danvers MA 60½, 8. Franklin MA 48½, 9. Massabesic High-Waterville ME 48, 10. Milford MA 42½, 11. Somerset-Berkley 36½, 12. Barrington RI 35½, 13. Bishop Hendricken RI and Ledyard 34, 15. Medomak Valley 33½, 16. Danbury 32, 17. North Kingstown 30½, 18. Haverhill MA and Sharon MA 30, 20. Mt. Anthony Union-Bennington VT 29, 21. Andover MA and Tewksbury MA 28½, 23. Edward Little High-Auburn ME 27½, 24. Greater Lowell 27, 25. Leominster MA and Mt. Hope ME 26½, 27. Middletown CT 26, 28. Wellesley MA 25½, 29. Fairfield Warde 25, 30. New Bedford MA and Wells ME 24, 32. Gilbert/Torrington/Wolcott Tech co-op, Wells ME, Holliston MA, Minnechaug Regional MA and Newtown 22½, 36. Belfast ME 22, 37. Lasalle Academy 21½, 38. Bristol Central, Bunnell and Melrose MA 21, 41. Conard and Timberlane Regional 20, 43. Colchester and Trumbull 19½, 45. Bishop Guertin 19, 46. Plainville 18½, 47. Lyme-Old Lyme/Westbrok co-op, Spaulding VT 17½, 49. Exeter NH 17, 50. Weston MA 16½
Other Connecticut teams: 56. Windham 14, 66. Somers 11, 72. Shelton 10, 74. Bristol Eastern and Glastonbury 9, 81. Avon, Guilford, Staples, Terryville/Thomaston 7, 90. Cheshire 6½, 93. Fairfield Prep, Greenwich, Manchester Ct and Platt 6; 109. Stafford 5½, 111. Suffield/Windsor Locks 5, 116. Amity, Foran and Lyman Memorial/Windham Tech 4, 123. Canton, Killingly and Stamford 3; 140. East Lyme/Norwich Tech and Wilton 2; 147. Bacon Academy, Griswold/Wheeler, Notre Dame-WH and Pomperaug co-op 0
Individual results
Finals
106 Samuel Floody RI (Scituate RI) dec. Sam Winship MA (Central Catholic), 12-0
113 John Woodall MA (Franklin) dec. Antoine Jackman MA (Greater Lowell), 11-1
120 Zack Dixon CT (Xavier) dec. Lucas Copper MA (Central Catholic), 3-0
126 Nick Desisto MA (Tewksbury) dec. Mael Pierre-Paul CT (Bunnell), 10-3
132 Evan Boulard ME (Massabesic) dec. Robert Newton RI (Scituate RI), 10-1
138 Lukas Boxley CT (Ledyard) dec. Kai Ly MA (Minnechaug), 14-2
144 John Carrozza CT (Ridgefield) dec. James Lally MA (Saint John’s Prep), 6-5
150 Isaiah McDaniel CT (Middletown) dec. Alex Lamarre CT (Bristol Central), 10-6
157 James Tildsley MA (Shawsheen) dec. Carnell Davis RI (Ponaganset), 4-3
165 Colby Vital RI (Ponaganset) dec. Matt Pappas RI (Bishop Hendricken), 8-5
175 Cyrus Jones MA (Sharon) pin Harrison Muller CT (Danbury), 1:01
190 Sam Josey MA (Saint John’s Prep) dec. Chase Catalano CT (Xavier), 4-3
215 Matt Harrold MA (Haverhill) dec. Owen Pavao MA (Somerset Berkley), 7-3
285 Kaz Morosetti RI (North Kingstown) dec. Brian Waller-Reitano MA (Central Catholic), 15-5
3rd Place
106 Josh Perez CT (Xavier) dec. Chace Armstrong RI (Ponaganset), 11-5
113 Cole Desiano CT (Ridgefield) dec. Caden Hughes RI (Ponaganset), 6-0
120 Cole Lemovitz RI (Ponaganset) dec. Dominic Simpson ME (Belfast), 11-4
126 Brayden Boccia MA (Milford MA) dec. Cahota Lafond VT (Colchester), 6-1
132 Derek Marcolini MA (Milford MA) dec. Dylan Meyers CT (Ridgefield), 12-7
138 Jason Ballou MA (Andover) dec. Jack Sauer MA (Franklin), 5-4
144 James Rocco RI (Barrington) tech fall Duncan Harrington VT (Mt. Anthony Union), 20-2 2:25
150 Henry McElligott MA (Holliston) dec. Dan Greaney MA (Leominster), 3-0
157 Antonio Arguello CT (Newtown) pin Daniel Woods MA (Wellesley), 1:10
165 Evan Schibi CT (Gilbert/Torr/Wolc) dec. Harry Marino CT (Conard), 8-0
175 Vincent Rivera CT (Xavier) dec. Rhys Dewar MA (Central Catholic), 6-4
190 Dylan O’Brian CT (Fairfield Warde) dec. Logan Holmes MA (Shawsheen), 11-6
215 Shamus Pease ME (Medomak Valley) pin Taiyo Gemme CT (Lyme-Old Lyme/WB), 2:59
285 William Martinez ME (Wells) pin Bishop Kearns NH (Bishop Guertin), 0:51
5th Place
106 Remington Grunhuvd ME (Massabesic) pin Matt Boucher NH (Timberlane), 3:14
113 Reid Grandmason NH (Exeter) FOR Kylan Berry ME (Bonny Eagle), 0-0
120 Logan Barry RI (Scituate RI) FOR William Accorsi CT (Somers)
126 Josiah Martins Semedo MA (New Bedford) pin Jisup Shin MA (Weston), 4:33
132 Aplollo Bellini RI (Ponaganset) pin Zaphyr Musshorn CT (Xavier), 1:45
138 Coleson Tully MA (Carver) pin Asa Reis VT (Mt. Anthony Union), 1:04
144 Jordin Agosto MA (Agawam) dec. Evan Madigan ME (Edward little), 5-4
150 Leo Moore CT (Ridgefield) tech fall Nicholas Genin MA (Newton South), 17-2 4:44
157 Anthony Lombardi RI (Mt. Hope) FOR Ben Byrne NH (Nashua South), 0-0
165 Jacob Critchfield NH (Hollis Brookline) FOR Brady Ouellette ME (Noble)
175 Cooper Theriault-Dinielli CT (Plainville) dec. Adryan Urena RI (La Salle Academy), 14-4
190 Dante Richardson RI (Cranston West) dec. Grady Pease ME (Medomak Valley), 7-3
215 William Buffington MA (Taunton) pin Merlin Smith ME (Edward little), 5:06
285 Chris Levesque ME (Oxford Hills) pin Chase Galke CT (Shelton), 3:48
Best finals match: 144 pounds – Carrozza vs. Lally
Outstanding wrestler: James Tildsley, Shawheen Valley, 157
2026 New England championships brackets and results (FloArena)
Printable New England brackets and results
xxx
