By Michael Letendre

GUILFORD – The Bristol Central wrestling team sent its crew to the annual Guilford Invitational this past Saturday and the program from the Mum City saw four of its grapplers make deep runs.

The Rams had two athletes in championship bouts as Alex Lamarre ended up winning the 126-pound class.

In his title match, Lamarre battled Xavier’s Seamus Hallinan into overtime as neither grappler refused to yield.

And it was Lamarre who won in the end, picking up a tremendous 10-8 win over the extra session to claim the 126 title.

Central’s Kaden Dragon was also in the championship mix, battling into the finals of the 120-pound division.

Dragon ended up dropping a tough 9-3 decision to Zach Brzoska of Fairfield Warde.

Also that day, the Rams had two additional wrestlers fight into the consolation round.

Central’s Joseph Niek (132 pounds) and Lincoln Archibald (157) both earned consolation nods but both warriors ended up losing those matches.

Niek ended up falling via 5-1 decision to Thomas Lemieux from Xavier and Archibald ended up getting pinned by Austin Rasmussen (Fairfield Warde) for a fourth place finish.

Overall, the Rams ended up in seventh place at the weekend tournament behind a 111.5-point showing.

Fairfield Warde won the title with 251 points while Newtown (169) was a distant second place.

Xavier of Middletown (163.5) came in third place, the program from Agawam, Massachusetts earned fourth while the co-op of East Lyme/Norwich Tech (137½) finished in fifth.

On Tap for the Rams

This Wednesday, Maloney of Meriden hits the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium in Bristol.

Bell time is 6 p.m.

And then on Friday, the Rams stay home to battle Edwin O. Smith, New Britain and South Windsor as Central squares off against programs from the Central Connecticut Conference.

That meet has a special start time of 3:30 p.m.

And then to close out the 2023 calendar year, the Rams set their collective sights on Conard, Wethersfield and non-conference opponent Staples in Bristol.

That meet takes place during the holiday break, commencing at 8:30 a.m.

Central goes back to work in 2024 on Tuesday, January 2 as CCC South opponent Plainville hits the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium followed by the BCHS Invite on Saturday, January 6.

2023 Guilford Invitational – December 16, 2023
from Guilford High School
Team results – Champion: Fairfield Warde 251 points, Runner up: Newtown 169, 3. Xavier 163½, 4. Agawam, MA 139½, 5. East Lyme/Norwich Tech 137½, 6. Guilford 122, 7. Bristol Central 111½, 8. Amity 87, 9. Notre Dame-West Haven 85, 10. Hall 79, 11. Fitch 63, 12. Greenwich 58, 13. North Haven 46, 14. Hand and Wilton 45, 16. Stonington 18, 17. Morgan 14
Individual results – Bristol Central
120 pounds: Zach Brzoska (Fairfield Warde) dec. Kaden Dragon (Bristol Central), 9-3
126 pounds: Alex Lamarre (Bristol Central) dec. Seamus Hallinan (Xavier), 10-8, OT
Consolation final
132 pounds: Thomas Lemieux (Xavier) dec. Joseph Niek (Bristol Central), 5-1
157 pounds: Austin Rasmussen (Fairfield Warde) pin Lincoln Archibald (Bristol Central), 0:11