Wildcat Wrestlers Claw Their Way to Eleventh in Class M

The Bethel Wildcats wrestling team placed 11th at the 2011 Class M Wrestling Championships held at Windham High School. The field at this years Class M meet included 27 teams. Bacon Academy finished as the top team at the tournament with 229 points. Ledyard and Windham came in second and third respectively.

Bethel’s top finisher was top seeded Chris Valenti in the 285 pound division.  Valenti dominated his division with pins over Juan Buendia of Branford (:17), Antonio Young of Enfield (1:03) and Xavier Kernozek of Windham (1:28).

His final round match with Bacon Academy’s Dylan Kniska lasted slightly longer, but with the same results — another pin in 4:28. Valenti can add this to his impressive resume of both academic and athletic achievements in his senior season. 

Will Bonagura, a week ago, came in as the number one seed in the 145 pound division. His bid for the championship was derailed by number four seed Dean Gilbert of Ledyard. 

Gilbert squeaked out a close 2-1 decision over Bonagura. Bonagura won his consolation matches against Clancy Emanuel of Waterford (pin 1:58) and number three seed Sam Grace of Jonathan Law (20-3 decision) to take third place.

Mark Ruiz made it to the quarterfinal round with a win over Isaac Cartagena of Platt (pin 4:27).  Ruiz then found himself up against the number two seeded wrestler Alex Manwaring of Ledyard.  Manwaring pinned Ruiz in 2:51 to advance to the semifinals.