Record-setting performance for Xavier isn’t good enough at New Englands

PROVIDENCE, R.I., March 2, 2024 – Sometimes a record-breaking performance isn’t good enough to win.

State Open champion Xavier had seven medalists at Saturday’s New England championships at the Providence Technical Career Academy, the most in one year in team history. For the first time, the Falcons had two individual champions – Raekwon Shabazz at 113 pounds and Charles Weidman at 215 — and Xavier broke the previous tournament record with 149 points.

And Xavier finished a distant second, 60 points shy of Ponaganset, Rhode Island.

The Chieftains captured their second straight New England championship with a tournament record 209 points. Ponaganset had seven wrestlers in the finals with four winning New England titles.

Connecticut had seven wrestlers in the finals and three came up as champions – Shabazz, who won for the second consecutive year, Weidman and Simsbury freshman Max Konopka, who brought home the first New England title for his school since 2005.

East Hartford, with two finalists, and Newtown finished tied for fourth with 61 points while Ridgefield, with one finalist, finished tenth. It was the first top 10 finishes for East Hartford and Ridgefield.

Connecticut had 29 wrestlers earn medals with six finishing third, six finishing fourth, seven taking fifth and three in sixth place.

But it was Ponaganset standing alone at the end, erasing their own tournament record of 143 that they set a year ago.

“Unbelievable. How many times can you say you got seven guys on the podium at the New Englands and you’re second by 60 (points),” Xavier head coach Mike Cunningham said. “It says Ponaganset is a pretty damn good team.

“We’re a good team. We lost (some) one-point matches in the semifinal (round),” Cunningham said. “Not that we would have caught them but it would have been a little closer.”

Xavier competed in tournaments in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New York and Maryland this season to provide their wrestlers with additional competition. Ponaganset is doing the same thing.

The Chieftains, who won the Eastern States Classic in 2023, competed at the Ironman Classic in Ohio in December and in the Sam Cali Invitational in New Jersey in January. Ponaganset finished second at the Sam Cali meet to Blair Academy, the New Jersey-based prep school who was ranked No. 2 in the country at the time.

“They’re seasoned and they’ve been through the mill. We tried to seek out the best competition we could and get everyone ready to come here this weekend and perform,” Ponaganset co-head coach Steve Mineo said.

Mineo said that seeing how close that his team came to beating Blair Academy at the Sam Cali Invitational inspired them work harder in the second half of the season.

It was a second straight title for Ponaganset, the first time a Rhode Island school has won back-to-back New England championships since Coventry did it in 1988 and 1989. For Xavier, it was their best finish at the New England tournament, topping their fourth place finish a year ago.

Ponaganset had nine wrestlers earn medals in the tournament. Only one was a senior – Andrew Reall, who committed to Brown University and finished second at 165 pounds.

“We are looking to just continue to grow as a team and a program, just keeping setting the bar higher and keep chasing our own tail and trying to excel at new levels,” Mineo said.

Freshman Cole Lemovitz (106), junior Jared Hood (120), sophomore David Perez (132) and sophomore Joseph Joyce (130) won titles for Ponaganset with freshman Carnell Davis (150), Reall (165) and junior Preson Marchesseault (175) each taking second.

* * * *

Shabazz (52-2) became the 19th wrestler in state history with two or more New England championships after his 12-5 win over Nick Desisto of Tewksbury, Mass. Shabazz went 4-0 in the tournament with two pins and a technical fall of Ponaganset’s Apollo Bellini in the semifinals.

Shabazz led 6-5 after one period and extended the lead to 8-5 with a second period takedown. A reversal and takedown in the third period secured the championship.

“It feels a little more special because it is my last year,” he said. “I did everything I could this year and accomplished my goals. I stayed focused and kept my eyes on the goals I had.”

Still, it wasn’t time to reflect on the season. He plans to compete in the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) nationals in Virginia Beach, Virginia later this month.

Weidman squared off with East Hartford’s Sammy Montovani for the third time this season in the New England final at 215 pounds. Weidman beat Montovani a week earlier at the State Open with a 7-3 decision.

On Saturday, Weidman pinned Montovani in 3:05 to win his first New England title. It was Weidman’s third pin of the tournament.

“It was his first time against Sammy,” Cunningham said. They’ve known each other for years. That was a great win (for Charles).”

Xavier teammates Braylon Gonzalez (126) and Kyle Levesque (144) finished third with Kevin Kasperowski (132) finishing fifth and John Lagana (150) and Vincent Rivera (157) taking home sixth place medals.

After getting beat in the semifinals, Gonzalez had a pair of one-point victories in the consolation round to finish third. He beat Emmett Logan of Lowell in overtime in the consolation semifinals and got a one-point escape with 30 seconds remaining to beat New Fairfield’s Joe Mahoney to finish third.

After a one-point loss in the semifinals to Ridgefield’s Victor Petkov, Levesque won two consolation round bouts with a pin and a 4-0 win over Montville’s James Linder, Jr., to take third.

* * * *

Freshman Max Konopka (190) became the third Simsbury wrestler to win a New England championship and the first since 2005 with his pin of Portsmouth’s Elijah Josey, a three-time New Hampshire champion, in 3:17.

Konopka (45-1) had two pins and and a technical fall in the tournament. He gave up just six points – five in a tough 7-5 victory over Rhode Island’s Spencer Fine of Bishop Hendricken in the quarterfinals.

Konopka was anticipating a match in the finals against Fine, who finished second here a year ago. But Fine was surprisingly pinned in the finals at the Rhode Island championships and finished second.

That set up a battle in the quarterfinals. Fine got the first takedown with 37 seconds left in the first period but Konopka escaped 10 seconds later to cut the lead to one, 2-1. After a Konopka reversal and Fine escape, it was 3-3 after two periods.

Starting on bottom, Fine took a 5-3 lead with a reversal with 1:42 left in the match but Konopka tied it with 1:19 remaining with a reversal of his own. He got a two-point near fall on an attempted cradle with 34 seconds left for a 7-5 lead.

“I have to beat everyone here. Why not beat him in the quarters. That was the toughest match I have wrestled all year,” Konopka said.

Konopka was sick all week and practiced just once. He weighed in at 179 pounds, according to Simsbury head coach T.J. Silva. “We drew (our presumed) finals (opponent) in the quarters and that is how we opened (Saturday) morning. A tough 7-5 win and then, we kept doing what we’ve been doing all year, dominating.”

Konopka won his semifinal with a pin in 5:56 over Maine champion Ben Ronca.

* * * *

For the second straight year, East Hartford put two wrestlers into the finals – Jaeckez Mendez (138) and Sammy Montovani (215). Both went home with second place trophies after tough bouts in the finals.

With a pin and a win, Mendez (42-1) moved into the semifinal where he outlasted Michael Boulanger of Milford, Mass., 5-4. Mendez got an escape and takedown in the second period to build a 5-2 lead.

But in the final, Ponaganset sophomore Joseph Joyce got three takedowns to earn a 7-4 victory. Joyce led 5-1 after two periods. Mendez got an escape early in the third period and was working for a takedown that could cut the lead to one but Joyce ended up with the takedown.

Montovani dropped a State Open rematch to Xavier’s Charles Weidman, getting pinned in the second period.

With three pins and four wins, Montovani reached the New England finals for the second consecutive year. He beat Massachusetts champion Mason Pellegri of Milton in the quarterfinals, 6-3 before pinning Windham’s Malachi Fowler in the semifinals.

East Hartford’s fourth place finish was the best-finish in tournament history for the Hornets.

* * * *

Middletown freshman Isaiah McDaniel (106) beat Rhode Island’s Robert Newtown of Scituate in the semifinals in overtime, 3-1 to earn a spot in the finals. McDaniel had a pin and a technical fall in his first two matches.

But freshman Cole Lemovitz of Ponaganset was able to get two takedowns in a 4-2 decision in the championship match. McDaniel was able to get a reversal to cut the lead to two in the third period but couldn’t get an opportunity for a takedown.

McDaniel was Middletown’s first finalist since 2019.

* * * *

It wasn’t any easy road Ridgefield’s Victor Petkov (144) to get to the New England finals. Trailing by two, he escaped with 1:15 left in the match and got a takedown with 44 seconds remaining to beat Xavier’s Kyle Levesque in the semifinals, 6-5.

In his quarterfinal match Aidan Braun of Milford, Mass., Braun escaped with nine seconds remaining to force overtime. In the third overtime, Petkov chose bottom and got the reversal to earn a 6-4 victory and advance.

But Massachusetts champion James Tildsley of Shawsheen won his first New England championship with an 8-6 victory. Petkvo (55-7) got the first takedown of the match for an early 2-0 lead but Tildsley controlled the remainer of the match.

In the second period, Tildsley got an escape, takedown and near fall for a 6-2 lead. Thanks to two penalties against Tildsley and an escape with 1:41 remaining, Petkov cut the lead to one, 6-5. But Tildsley got the takedown to reestablish control.

* * * *

Newtown’s Jake Maddox (150) and Fisher Stites (165) each finished third for the Nighthawks, who tied with East Hartford for fourth place.

Maddox won four straight matches with two pins in the consolation round to take fourth. Stites was 4-1 with a pin to take third.

After a one-point loss in the quarterfinal round, Platt’s Caiden Talento (157) won four straight to finish third with a 7-4 win over Rhode Island champion Ryan Currier of Chariho.

East Lyme/Norwich Tech’s Lincoln Carlson (175) went 4-1 and finished third with a 9-7 win over New Hampshire champion David Pento, Jr., of Londonderry.

Other state medalwinners from Connecticut included Southington’s Chase Kastner (106), Ridgefield’s Dom Barrella (120), New Fairfield’s Joe Mahoney (126), Danbury’s Deydon Soto (132), Montville’s James Linder, Jr. (144) and Windham’s Malachi Fowler (215) who finished fourth.

In fifth place from Connecticut were RHAM’s Ben Fournier (106), Danbury’s Cristian Pote (120), Xavier’s Kevin Kasperowski (132), Fairfield Ludlowe’s Dylan Sherman (144), Gilbert/Torrington’s Evan Schibi (150), Newtown’s Marc Maurath (157) and Enfield’s Keonta Crawford (285).

In sixth place from the Nutmeg State were Fairfield Warde’s Zach Brzoska (113) and Xavier’s John Lagana (150) and Vincent Rivera (157).

2024 New England championships
At Providence, R.I.
Team results – 1. Ponaganset RI 209, 2. Xavier 149, 3. Haverhill MA 95½, 4. East Hartford and Newtown 61, 6. Coventry RI 59, 7. Saint John Prep MA 57, 8. Sciuate RI 5, 9. Methuen MA 51, 10. Ridgefield 47½, 11. Shawsheen 47, 12. Tewksbury MA 37, 13. Danbury 36, 14. Central Catholic-Lawrence MA 32½, 15. Brookfield MA and Milford MA 32, 17. Chelmsford 30, 18. Simsbury and Southington 29½. 20. Bishop Hendricken 28, 21.  Massabesic 27½, 22. East Lyme.Norwich Tech and Whitman -Hanson 26, 24. Montachusett 25½, 25. Milton 24, 26. Middletown CT 23½, 27. Andover MA, Windham/GHG/Westbrook ME, Xaverian Brothers MA  and Oceanside 22,  31. Mt. Anthony VT and Portsmouth NH 21, 33. Billerica MA, Windham CT and Platt  20, 36. Hampden Charter East MA 19, 37. Bedford ME, Narragansett RI and Ludlow MA 18, 41. Taunton MA and Timberland Regional-Plaistow NH 17; 43. Londonderry NH, York ME and Vergennes 16,; 46. Enfield and Montville 15, 48. Bridgewater-Raynham and Mountain Valley 14
Other Connecticut teams: 50. RHAM  and Fairfield Ludlowe13, 63. Gilbert/Torrington 11, 72. Lyman Memorial/Windham tech 9; 75. Branford and Killingly 8, 85. Bristol Central 7; 92. Berlin 6½, 93. Derby/Oxford/Holy Cross, Norwalk, Staples and East Haven 6; 112. Bacon Academy, Somers and New Milford 4; 127. NFA 3; 133. Old Lyme  and Waterford 2; 145. Avon, Brookfield/Shepaug, Darien, Ledyard, Portland/Cromwell, South Windsor, Trumbull 0
Individual results
Championship finals
106  Cole Lemovitz RI (Ponaganset) dec. Isaiah Mcdaniel CT (Middletown), 4-2
113  Raekwon Shabazz CT (Xavier) dec. Nick Desisto MA (Tewksbury), 12-5
120  Jared Hood RI (Ponaganset) dec. Charlie Lussier MA (Whitman-Hanson), 9-0
126  Peyton Ellis RI (Coventry) dec. Yandel Morales MA (Andover), 10-5
132  David Perez RI (Ponaganset) pin Jonah Paulino MA (Montachusett), 3:56
138  Joseph Joyce RI (Ponaganset) dec. Jaeckez Mendez CT (East Hartford), 7-4
144  James Tildsley MA (Shawsheen) dec. Victor Petkov CT (Ridgefield), 8-6
150  Gabriel Bouyssou RI (Scituate-RI) dec. Carnell Davis RI (Ponaganset), 16-4
157  Jayden D’ambrosio MA (Saint John’s Prep) dec. Vincent Demaio MA (Methuen), 3-0
165  Brent Nicolosi MA (Haverhill) dec. Andrew Reall RI (Ponaganset), 10-1
175  Nathan Blanchette MA (Central Catholic) dec. Preston Marchesseault RI (Ponaganset), 3-1
190  Maximus Konopka CT (Simsbury) pin Elijah Josey NH (Portsmouth), 3:17
215  Charles Weidman CT (Xavier) pin Sammy Montovani CT (East Hartford), 3:05
285  Thomas Brown MA (Chelmsford) dec. Alex Bajoras MA (Saint John’s Prep), 6-0
Third place (consolation finals)
106 Robert Newton RI (Scituate-RI) dec. Chase Kastner CT (Southington), 5-2
113 Michael Morris MA (Haverhill) FOR Dominic Gangi MA (Methuen), 0-0
120 Peter Rincan MA (Billerica) dec. Dominic Barrella CT (Ridgefield), 8-2
126 Braylon Gonzalez CT (Xavier) dec. Joe Mahoney CT (New Fairfield), 3-2
132 Gavin Ripley ME (Oceanside) dec. Deydon Soto CT (Danbury), 10-9
138 Sidney Tildsley MA (Shawsheen) dec. Michael Boulanger MA (Milford), 15-8
144 Kyle Levesque CT (Xavier) dec. James Linder jr CT (Montville), 4-0
150 Jake Maddox CT (Newtown) dec. Lucas Libby ME (Mountain Valley), 11-6
157 Caiden Talento CT (Platt) dec. Ryan Currier RI (Chariho), 7-4
165 Fisher Stites CT (Newtown) dec. Lucas Alvan MA (Ludlow), 3-1
175 Lincoln Carlson CT (East Lyme/Norwich Tech) dec. David Pento jr NH (Londonderry), 9-7
190 Spencer Fine RI (Bishop Hendricken) pin Ben Ronca ME (York), 3:12
215 Mason Pellegri MA (Milton) pin Malachi Fowler CT (Windham-CT), 5:32
285 Gabriel Thomas MA (Brookline) pin Griffin Moreau ME (Windham/GNG/Westbrook), 5:56
Fifth place
106 Ben Fournier CT (RHAM) dec. Kylan Berry ME (Marshwood), 3-2
113 Apollo Bellini RI (Ponaganset) dec. Zach Brzoska CT (Fairfield Warde), 16-5
120 Cristian Pote CT (Danbury) pin Cale Wood MA (Haverhill), 1:21
126 Nathan Sayers MA (Xaverian) pin Emmett Logan MA (Lowell), 3:57
132 Kevin Kasperowski CT (Xavier) M FOR Brent Von magnus MA (Bridgewater-Raynham)
138 Sebastian Armstrong RI (Coventry) pin Shea Morris MA (Haverhill), 5:43
144 Dylan Sherman CT (Fairfield Ludlowe) dec. Colby Vital RI (Ponaganset), 6-3
150 Evan Schibi CT (Gilbert/Torr) dec. John Lagana CT (Xavier), 5-0
157 Marc Maurath CT (Newtown) dec. Vincent Rivera CT (Xavier), 9-4
165 Dominick Bubar ME (Massabesic) FOR Joseph Bolduc MA (Methuen), 0-0
175 Aman Khalil MA (Brockton) dec. Anthony Matas VT (Essex), 4-3
190 Jack Giannetto RI (Narragansett) dec. Michael Toppan MA (Gloucester), 16-5
215 Jerameel Vazquez MA (Hampden Charter East) FOR Matt Harrold MA (Haverhill), 0-0
285 Keonta Crawford CT (Enfield) dec. Kaz Morosetti RI (North Kingstown), 11-9
Outstanding wrestler: Gabriel Bouyssou, Scituate RI (150)
Best final:
Brackets and results (FloArena)
Printable brackets
Note: Finals began at 126 pounds after a draw. There 143 teams that scored at least one point.