(Submitted by Tim Bartlett)

On Sunday Feb. 26, the Newtown Youth Wrestling Association sent 22 qualifying wrestlers to the Connecticut’s Youth Championships held at Hillhouse High School in New Haven. 

Highlighting the day’s results was the crowning of three NYWA wrestlers as state champions and the team sending a total of nine wrestlers on to the New England Championships in Lowell, Massachusetts on March 12 and 13. 

Leading the charge for the team and finishing 1^st in the state were Novice Division (5^th and 6^th Grade) champions Joseph Accousti (97lbs) and Anthony Falbo (108lbs) and Middle School (7^th and 8^th) champion Matt Gonzalez (120lbs). 

Joining them at the trophy table were Intermediate Division (3^rd and 4^th Grade) Sean Arnold 2^nd place (61lbs), Shaine Luzietti (86lbs) 4^th place, Novice Division (5^th and 6^th Grade) Michael Garner 2^nd place (88lbs), Edward Lovely 2^nd place (92lbs), Dylan Bartlett 4^th place (92lbs), Middle School Division (7^th and 8^th Grade) James Leuci 4^th place (136lbs), Forest Speed 3^rd place (144lbs), and Edward Lajoie 3^rd place (152lbs).  

Also participating in the state tournament were NYWA teammates Evan Rooney, Gren Paynter, Ryan Straiton, Sean Dauber, Thomas Leuci, Simon Preston, Luca Crudo, Chris Manfredi, Chris Lajoie, Logan Walsh and Joseph Priano.

Each earned their right to participate by virtue of a top 4 finish in their divisions at the sectional qualifiers held in Milford the Feb. 20 weekend.