Wrestling

The North Haven wrestling team traveled to the Joe Beler Sr. Duals at Jonathan Law on Dec. 29 to compete against six other teams. In only its second year of competition, North Haven had one of its best days to date, winning five of the six matches and improving to 6-5 on the season. The Nighthawks defeated Terryville, Derby, New Haven, Bunnell, and host Law. Their lone loss was to Platt High School of Meriden.

Leading the way for North Haven was junior Jace Iamunno at 150 pounds. Iamunno was dominant on the mat, and went 6-0 on the day with four pins and a technical fall. Also finishing 6-0 on the day was junior captain Mike Moran, competing at 175 pounds. Moran did not let up a point, and had three pins on the day. Junior captain Tyler DiMauro (190 pounds), junior Luke Asbury (157 pounds), and freshman Ashton Manacchio (113 pounds) all had great days on the mat, as well, and each contributed four wins on the day.

Wrestlers with three wins for the Nighthawks included Anthony Purchio (106 pounds), Hayden Minns (132 pounds), Emilio Crocco (165 pounds), Russell Kieslich IV (215 pounds), and Johnny Williston (175 pounds), who had a thrilling victory in double overtime in his match against Platt.

Contributing two wins on the day for the Nighthawks were Anthony Tseperkas (120 pounds), Matt Kauhl (157 pounds), and Joseph Carbone (285 pounds). Wrestlers earning a varsity win for the team effort included Auriana Camano (106 pounds), Mason Mansur (126 pounds), Brody Quaranta (132 pounds), Dillon Olson (157 pounds), and Evan DiMauro (165 pounds).

On Jan. 6, the Nighthawks traveled to Amity for the Amity Duals and finished with a record of 2-2 on the day. The team defeated Newington and New Haven, and fell to New Canaan and Amity. North Haven now stands at an even eight wins and eight losses on the season.

Leading the team on was junior captain Tyler DiMauro (190 pounds) and junior Joe Carbone (285 pounds). Both wrestlers were a perfect 4-0, and DiMauro had three of those four wins come by pin.

Several Nighthawks had two wins on the day, including Hayden Minns (132 pounds), Dave Kobuta (138 pounds), Luke Asbury (150 pounds), Evan DiMauro (165 pounds), and Eli Ellis (175 pounds).

Also chipping in to the team effort with wins were Auriana Camano (106 pounds), Anthony Tseperkas (120 pounds), Mason Mansur (126 pounds), Ty Ellis (144 pounds), Dillon Olson (157 pounds), Mike Moran (175 pounds), Nate Ruggiero (175 pounds), Johnny Williston (175 pounds), and Christian DeMaio (190 pounds).

Fencing

On Jan. 2, the North Haven fencing team traveled to Guilford for a dual match. The boys team fell 23-4, and the girls lost 17-10. Anita Sajan was a top performer in the match for the Nighthawks, recording a 3-0 win.

The team then competed at the Morgan Invitational on Jan. 6. The men's team went 1-3, and the women's team finished at 2-2, with a narrow 13-14 loss to defending overall state champion Guilford. The women's epee and sabre squads both went 3-1 on the day, and women's sabre was undefeated in conference matches.

When facing Simsbury, the boys won 16-11 and the girls won 20-7. Top performers (3-0) included Gavin Brawn, Grant Grotzke, Ben Pollio, Hanako Moffat, Matt Kompare, Ayla Sivri, Caleb Groth, and Owen Arenberg. Colby Parker and Roberto Frunzio earned their first varsity wins.

The team faced a tough matchup vs. Hand, with the boys taking a 26-1 loss and the girls losing 16-11. Anna Hansard went 3-0 and recorded 50 career victories. The team battled it out vs. Guilford, but the boys lost 21-6, and the girls fell 14-13.

When facing the host school in Morgan, the boys took a 16-11 loss, and the girls won 14-13. Top performers (3-0) included Ben Polio, Matt Kompare, and Ayla Sivri. Sivri earned her 50th career victory against Greenwich back on Dec. 15,. Rachel Adams currently is sitting on 47 wins, and Anita Sajan has 33 victories for her career, and both should be joining the 50-win club this season.

Girls’ Ice Hockey

Amity/North Haven/Cheshire girls’ ice hockey hosted New Canaan on Jan. 3 and lost 6-1.

The team then hit the road to Hall/Conard on Jan. 6 and took a 4-1 defeat. Kylie Schwab recorded 30 saves in net in the loss.