Wildcat Wrestling Tops SMSA 42-30

The Suffield Wildcats wrestling team had an exciting match last night versus a very athletic Sport and Medical Science (SMSA) team at Wednesday. 

The match started at the 182-pound weight class where Suffield's Paul Grimard had a close, back-and-forth contest. After going out of bounds with seven seconds remaining the match was tied 8-8.  A tired Grimard pulled through on the restart whistle to score one point with a fast escape to win the match and put Suffield up 3-0. 

Matt Nardi took the mat in another fast and physical match that was tied 6-6 after the second period. However, SMSA's Kayron Macon scored a pin at the 5:07 mark to put SMSA up 6-3. 

Suffield's Sean Kucia, at the 220-pound level, wrestled another close battle. With the score at 3-1, Kucia got the pin at the 5:16 mark to put the Wildcats ahead 9-6.

After a forfeit and a pin for SMSA the score was close, 21-18, when Suffield co-captains Kevin Bentz, Ryan Hunihan and Dan D'Ostuni got pins at the 0:12, 3:34 and 1:24 marks in their respective matches. These pins, along with an exciting victory by Ashton Mikan – behind in the match 3-0 before scoring a reversal and back points to win a 5-4 decision – extended the Wildcats overall record to 6-1 and 4-0 in the NCCC.

According to Coach Chris Potter the team is still working towards their full potential and needs to continue to improve on conditioning and techniques for when they face NCCC powerhouse teams Avon and Somers in the upcoming weeks.

“The team isn't quite there yet but hopefully with stepped up conditioning and time can get to their potential,” he said. Potter noted an improvement in conditioning due to an equipment donation from the Suffield High School boosters earlier this year.

Khamri Thomas of Windsor Locks, who wrestles as a one-man team with Suffield, wrestled a varsity match against SMSA’s Brian Knighton. Khamri, a very skilled and patient wrestler, used a combination of his grappling ability and mat speed to win his match 12-1.

Suffield competes in the Nonnawaug tournament this upcoming Saturday. The Wildcats face undefeated Somers Spartans on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at Somers High School.

Suffield 42 - SMSA 30

106 pounds — Danny Dolnick (SM) won by forfeit; 113 — Dillion Lisk (S) won by forfeit; 120 — Matt Guilmette (S) won by forfeit; 126 — Kevin Bentz (S) pinned Antonia Lamontegne (SM) 0:12; 132 — Aston Mikan (S) dec. Christian Echakria (SM) 5-4; 138 — Ryan Hunihan (S) pinned Andie Allen (SM) 3:34; 145 — Dan D'Ostuni (S) pinned Milly Nieres (SM) 1:24; 152 — Kiante Maeon (SM) won by forfeit; 160 — Bryan Knighton (SM) won by forfeit; 170 — double forfeit; 182 — Paul Grimard (S) dec. Kenny Prigadich (SM) 9-8; 195 — Kayron Macon (SM) pinned Matt Nardi (S) 5:07; 220 — Sean Kucia (S) pinned Quintin Reed (SM) 5:16; 285 — Kyrre Dawson (SM) pinned Will Szozda (S) 1:48. 

The match was held at Suffield High School. Suffield’s overall record is now 6-1, its NCCC record is 4-0. The Wildcats’ next match is Saturday at Nonnawaug.