Missing a few eligible competitors in certain weight classes put the Joel Barlow High wrestling team at a bit of a disadvantage in its season-opener last week.
The Falcons had to forfeit four weight groups when they visited Bethel on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Although things went down to the wire they wound up on the short side of a 36-34 score.
Barlow had no wrestler for 106 pounds. In one of the closest matches of the night, Bethel’s Marco Perrone then outlasted Barlow’s Ben Azzara, getting a point in the third period to hold on for a 1-0 decision at 113 pounds.
Things were also close in the 120-pound class. Barlow’s Zach Jhilal had a slim 5-3 lead over Nelson Rodriguez at one point, only to have the latter manage a takedown in the third period for a slim 8-7 win instead.
Kai Lee got the win by forfeit when Bethel could not produce an eligible wrestler at 126 pounds. At 132 pounds, Bethel’s Jonathan Louzada outlasted Ryan Knob for a 5-3 decision.
Another forfeit win went to the Falcons’ Alex Krois when Bethel had no wrestler for the 138-pound division. It marked the first of three wins in succession for the visitors.
Barlow also prevailed at 144 pounds. Stryder Hanson allowed only one point in an 11-1 decision over Esther Ribeiro.
Getting a victory by pin, Scott Romano defeated Bethel’s Shane Rowser in the first period of the 150-pound class. Romano, a junior, also took 1st place at 150 pounds at the Fairfield Ludlowe invitational on Dec. 16 by defeating Nick Fatone from Norwalk in the finals.
Down 5-3 with 43 seconds remaining, Romano came back to win 8-5, thanks to a timely take down, and earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors for his four victories the tournament.
It was a double-forfeit on Dec. 13 at 157 pounds as neither Barlow nor Bethel had an eligible wrestler.
The Wildcats’ Derik Espinal won by forfeit at 165 pounds. Barlow dominated the 175-pound class with Logan Bacas defeating Miguel Moreira 11-1.
It turned out to be Barlow’s last win of the night, as the Wildcats took the three remaining weight classes. At 190 pounds, Cris Menendez managed several takedowns for a 9-1 win over Dylan Cooke.
Bethel’s Matt Tarzia then pinned Chad Pranzo at 215 pounds. Lincoln Ackerman took the 285-pound class by forfeit to end the match.
In addition to Romano’s first place finish at the Dec. 16 Fairfield Ludlowe Invitational, Barlow senior Stryder Hanson finished first at 138 pounds, thanks to two pins in under 20 seconds and two wins by major decision.
126-pound sophomore Ryan Knob and 175-pound senior Logan Bacas finished fourth and sixth, respectively, in a field of over 300 wrestlers competing in the tournament.
Barlow visits Notre Dame of Fairfield Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. followed by a tri-meet at New Milford on Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. that also includes East Hartford and Shelton.
