By Michael Letendre
MIDDLETOWN – The Bristol Central wrestling team had a busy Saturday in Middletown last week as the squad took on some steep competition at the Colter Abely Mid-Season Classic.
The showdown, held from Mercy High School, had several big hitters at the event.
The Rams were a part of that mix along with other squads from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Overall, Central finished in 15th place behind 128 points.
The Rams had two grapplers make third place appearances, winning both bouts.
At 138 pounds, Central’s Landon Dionne was in the mix against Elias Kalat from Spaulding, Vermont.
And Dionne earned a hard-fought victory, pinning Kalat in 4:42 to take the third place prize.
Also in a third place showdown, Central’s Johnny Rios batted Guilford’s Liam Alberti until the end – seizing a 5-4 win via decision for the other big scoring round for the Rams.
Middletown’s own Xavier High School (359 points) won the showcase while Chelmsford, Massachusetts (338) wasn’t too far behind as the runner-up.
Rhode Island’s Bishop Hendricken-Warwick RI (288½) came in third place, Newtown (280) earned fourth and East Hartford (274) was six points behind in fifth.
Central is finally back home for a CCC South encounter as Platt of Meriden invades the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium this coming Wednesday at 6 p.m.
And then on Saturday, it’s off to Ridgefield for another weekend tournament.
The Gary Tiger Ridgefield Challenge commences at 9:30 a.m. from Ridgefield High School.
Colter Abely Mid-Season Classic
At Middletown (Mercy HS)
Team results: 1. Xavier 359, 2. Chelmsford, MA 338, 3. Bishop Hendricken-Warwick RI 288½, 4. Newtown 280, 5. East Hartford 274, 6. Trumbull 261½, 7. Hall 235, 8. Spaulding VT 172, 9. Guilford 162, 10. Scituate RI 159½, 11. East Lyme/Norwich Tech 157½, 12. Simsbury 153½, 13. Xaverian MA 139, 14. Brookfield/Shepaug 130, 15. Bristol Central 128, 16. Burlington MA 103, 17. Pomperaug 82½, 18. South Kingstown RI 69½, 19. Cheshire 44
Individual results
138 Pounds
Championship: Jaeckez Mendez (East Hartford) dec. Anthony Basile (Xavier), 6-5
Third Place: Landon Dionne (Bristol Central) pin Elias Kalat (Spaulding VT), 4:42
195 Pounds
Championship: Sammy Montovani (East Hartford) pin Aethan Munden (Trumbull), 0:27
Third Place: Johnny Rios (Bristol Central) dec. Liam Alberti (Guilford), 5-4
