By Michael Letendre
MIDDLETOWN – The Bristol Central wrestling program continues to buzz right through the 2022-23 season and this past Wednesday night, another team bit the dust.
This time around, the Rams were able to topple the outfit from Middletown – earning a big 66-12 victory in a CCC South showdown on the road.
Central improved to 8-1 overall, 2-1 in CCC South action, while Middletown fell to 2-7 (0-2).
The Rams enjoyed a couple forfeits along the way but when the squad had opponents to square off against, the locals earned several trips to the pay window.
At 106 pounds, Central’s Engher Disla Almonte wrangled up an 11-4 decision over Joshua Ramos while Kaden Dragon (113) earned a pinfall victory against Middletown’s D’vonte Tenn.
Central’s Brendan Carmody (120), Julian Colon (126), and Luis Lumpkin (132) all won via forfeit which meant each grappler earned six points for the Rams’ till.
At 145 pounds, Central’s Landon Dionne zipped up a 9-2 decision over Jacob Guarino while Eric Cooper (152) did not have an opponent to square off against.
Central’s Lincoln Archibald (160) pulled out a pin against Sean McCall in just 2:53 while Ayden Pratt (170) was a forfeit victor.
The Rams’ Cole Krueger (195) pinned Shawn Roberson towards the tail end of regulation (5:37) while Johnny Rios (220) was also victorious via pinfall.
Rios pinned Middletown’s Kayshawn Tatum in just over ninety seconds (1:32) and then at heavyweight, Central’s Andrew Sarkis (285) pinned Zaikwan Hill in only 1:20 to net the win.
Next Wednesday, Central returns to the CCC South grind with a trip to Maloney in Meriden at 6 p.m.
Top 25 ranking
In the second Connecticut Wrestling Online’s Top 10 poll, Bristol Central received some votes (January 10 poll).
The Rams earned 10 votes and ended up in 22nd place overall.
Xavier (6-4 overall) took the top spot in the poll but earned just 10 first place votes and 490 points overall.
Danbury (6-0, six first place votes, 486 points) came in second place while New Milford (3-0, one first place vote, 436 points) came in third.
Bristol Central Wrestling – CCC South Tilt
BRISTOL CENTRAL 66, MIDDLETOWN 12
from Middletown High School
106 pounds: Engher Disla Almonte (BC) dec. Joshua Ramos (M), 11-4; 113: Kaden Dragon (BC) pin D’vonte Tenn (M); 120: Brendan Carmody (BC) forfeit; 126: Julian Colon (BC) forfeit; 132: Luis Lumpkin (BC) forfeit; 138: Derek McMahon (M) pin Alexander Zolla (BC), 2:20; 145: Landon Dionne (BC) dec. Jacob Guarino (M), 9-2; 152: Eric Cooper (BC) forfeit; 160: Lincoln Archibald (BC) pin Sean Mccall (M), 2:53; 170: Ayden Pratt (BC) forfeit; 182: Jesse Baldwin (M) pin Jomar Lopez (BC), 0:53; 195: Cole Krueger (BC) pin Shawn Roberson (M), 5:37; 220: Johnny Rios (BC) pin Kayshawn Tatum (M), 1:32; 285: Andrew Sarkis (BC) pin Zaikwan Hill (M), 1:20.
Records: Bristol Central 8-1 overall, 2-1 CCC South; Middletown 2-7, 0-2 CCC South.
