I will covering class L again this year. Looking forward to a great year. I probably won't start updating the pre-season rankings until after the 2 pound allowance kicks in at the end of December. So look for updates around December 30th (after that weekends tournaments). I'll do a big update then and then tweak it as the weeks go by. I generally update rankings once a week after that, usually Monday/Tuesday. I don't generally update rankings for the mid-week duals.
A ton of really good returning wrestlers this year, led by some really great returning Class L champs:
Michael Rapuano - 106lbs - Xavier
Ty Finn - 120lbs - Simsbury
John Mairano - 126lbs - Simsbury
Tommy Nichols - 132lbs - Bristol Eastern
Tyler Sung - 145lbs - New Canaan
I'm hoping some of these kids move around a bit to face each other during the season/during the tournament. Who wouldn't want to see a Mairano v. Nichols match, or maybe even a Nichols v. Sung match. I have no idea where weights will settle out, so any intel is always appreciated. Last year I got a ton of great feedback which really helped the rankings. So please feel free to share your knowledge
My top 5 teams
1. Simsbury
2. Xavier
3. Bristol Central
4. Bristol Eastern
5. Wethersfield
Simsbury will be tough to beat, even losing Sam Bergin, they have two returning champs and seven returning placers. Nine returning is pretty amazing. We all wish Sam good luck and make CT proud wherever you wrestle next. Once a CT wrestler, always a CT wrestler.
New Canaan also has a big loss as Justin Mastroianni transfers to Greens Farms Academy. Hard to complain about that, a great group of wrestlers which I'm sure will really be a great fit for Justin. Good luck and we're all cheering for you to dominate the NEPSAC this year.
{Con't in another post}
Trent Thompson wrestles for Bristol Eastern, not Central.
I am not sure why D'Sean Martin from Simsbury is No 2 in Class L and not the No. 1.
He wrestled Eric Facey from BC at Opens and pinned him. At Class L they did not wrestle but had a common opponent: Mackenzie from New London. Mackenzie beat Martin in a 3-1 decision in the consi semis and then pinned Facey in the 3rd place match in 1:22.
Good to see that Ryan Finn came back to wrestling. Great kids and an awesome family. Coach Silva is sitting high and pretty(maybe not too pretty with that mug lol) up on his mountain with the team he has this year.
I believe Finn, Mairano and Pera from Simsbury are going 132,138,145 respectively this year
Well done
Class L Pre-Season Preview (continued)
Class L loses a few teams and picks up some new teams. Losses include Fairfield Luldlowe (up to LL), New London, ND - West Haven, RHAM (all moving to Class M). We pick up some good schools in Amity (from LL) and Bunnell, East Lyme/Norwich Tech Co-op, and Harding (all from M). Good luck to those moving to new divisions, look forward to seeing some of you in the Opens. And welcome to the newcomers. Some strong wrestlers coming in, led by class placer Simon Flaherty (PY 182 pounds - 6th place). Good luck to the new teams. The Class L tournament is a very well run tournament (props to Bristol Central) and a great group of kids led by some excellent coaches. Class tournament weekend is always a highlight of my year.
Some teams looking to make big moves this year include Bristol Central (home court advantage?) looking to move up from 8th last year. I currently have them 3rd based on returning wrestlers. BC has a strong group of returning wrestlers led by Jacob Aldi (runner up at 113 last year) who is joined by four other returning placers (Trent Thompson, Jason Feto, Jakob Salinas, Eric Facey) and several other wrestlers just missing placing in the prior year. I know Bristol Eastern, who lost several top wrestlers in Justin Marshall and Trinidad, will have something to say about that and reload at these weights. I expect it to be a fun rivalry between these cross-town schools which will make this wrestling season much more fun. BC v BE scheduled for February 12th, mark your calendars.
I also have New Milford looking to make a big move up from 12th last year to just outside my top 5 (at 6th) led by strong leadership from Evan Lindner (106 in PY) and Peter Coniglio (126 in PY), both 3rd place in the prior year. What's keeping New MIlford from moving into the top five is a shortage of big boy wrestlers. Someone get on that football team to provide some athletes who want to improve their football footwork skills.
I'll try to provide some weekly commentary after the holidays based on my observations, hopefully to get some conversation going. Good luck to all the wrestlers and looking forward to another great season.