The Nonnewaug wrestling squad has triumphantly recaptured the Berkshire League championship, marking their 24th such accolade. This victory underscores their consistent dominance in the league, achieved through a combination of a stellar regular season and a commendable performance at the Berkshire Valley Wrestling Championships. Their strategic prowess and collective effort allowed them to overcome formidable opponents and secure this coveted title for the fourth time in five seasons, demonstrating their enduring legacy in high school wrestling.
The decisive moment arrived at the Berkshire Valley Wrestling Championships, where the Nonnewaug Chiefs, with 139½ points, found themselves in a tie for second place alongside the Gilbert-Torrington-Oliver Wolcott Tech co-op. The Terryville-Thomaston co-op narrowly clinched the tournament title with 145 points. However, the overall Berkshire League championship is determined by a points system that aggregates results from both regular season dual meets and the tournament. Nonnewaug’s undefeated record in dual meets throughout the season, earning them 14 points, ultimately positioned them three points clear of Terryville-Thomaston and four ahead of GTO, solidifying their claim to the league title.
Long-time Nonnewaug coach Dave Green acknowledged the fierce competition, remarking on the unexpected nature of their victory given the strength of other teams. He noted that the tournament standings were incredibly close, highlighting the competitive balance within the league. Green emphasized the importance of their consistent performance in dual meets, which allowed them to secure crucial wins against all their rivals, paving the way for their championship success.
Individual performances played a significant role in the championship narrative. Gilbert’s Evan Schibi notably secured the 165-pound class, achieving a rare feat by becoming the first wrestler since 2019 to win four Berkshire League titles. For Nonnewaug, Sean Crawford emerged as a key figure, claiming the 157-pound individual title. Despite an early deficit, Crawford demonstrated remarkable composure and skill, pinning his opponent Marcus Wesaw from GTO. Crawford, a two-time league champion, reflected on his ability to regain focus and wrestle his own match to secure the win. Nonnewaug also saw Danielle Falls, Ethan Testone, and Joey Bernardi reach the finals in their respective weight classes, further contributing to the team's points tally.
The team's success was a testament to their collective spirit and depth, despite facing challenges such as injuries and illnesses. As Crawford noted, even with a young roster, the team's determination to wrestle their hardest and never give up was paramount. Freshman heavyweight Ronan Anderson expressed his surprise at the extent of their success, recognizing the inherent talent within the team. Coach Green underscored that while elite individual wrestlers are important, it's the full team's contribution that truly leads to a championship, a sentiment echoed by the diverse performances across Nonnewaug’s roster.
The Terryville-Thomaston co-op celebrated their first tournament championship since 2016, with individual titles going to Raymond Alvarado (120 lbs), Dylan Porciello (132 lbs), and Ethan Bochman-Rodriguez (138 lbs), who was also named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler. The Derby-Oxford-Holy Cross co-op also showcased strong individual talent, with four champions, including Jax Opotzner, Liam McGuire, Brandon Kecko, and Horatio Glover. This year's Berkshire League championships highlighted not only the Nonnewaug team's triumph but also the depth of talent and competitive spirit present across all participating schools.