Ridgefield’s John Carrozza and Trumbull’s Jillian Blake have been recognized by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Two wrestlers have been named as the state winners of two excellence awards from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Ridgefield senior John Carrozza has been selected as the state winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award while Trumbull senior Jillian Blake was selected as the state winner of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award.
Each award recognizes and honors wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship and community service.
Carrozza, who signed a letter of intent to attend Wesleyan in September, became the first Ridgefield wrestler to win a New England championship. He won a Class LL championship this season at 144 pounds but lost in the State Open finals in double OT.
Carrozza, who also plays lacrosse at Ridgefield, set a new school record with 173 career wins.
A member of the National Honor Society at Ridgefield, Carrozza has been volunteering for the past five years for a non-profit organization in Ridgefield called Cornerstone Home and Gardens. Volunteers work with young adults with autism through day programs at the gardens while supporting Ridgefield Social Services, Meals on Wheels, Dorothy Day House, Ridgefield Housing Authority members at Ballard Green and Prospect Ridge locations.
Blake (120) went 28-0 this season, winning four tournaments including the State Open title and the New England championship. Over the last three seasons, she has a combined record of 77-22 and helped Trumbull win two consecutive state championships.
She will be attending Sacred Heart next September.
A member of the National Honor Society, Blake is current a volunteer wrestling coach at South Side Wrestling Club in Bridgeport. She has also been a youth volunteer Jiu-Jitsu coach.
“These student-athletes exemplify the character, sportsmanship and dedication that define wrestling at its highest level, and we are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and the example they set for future generation,” said Lee Roy Smith, executive director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The Dave Schultz award was first awarded in 1996 to honor Schultz, the Olympic and world champion who was murdered in January 1996. The Tricia Saunders award was first presented in 2014 to recognize Saunders, a four-time world champion and women’s wrestling pioneer.
