The East Haven wrestling team hosted Hand in a very competitive match on Jan. 25. In a contest that came down to the wire, the Yellowjackets pulled out a 40-34 win.

In the 126-pound bout, Braeden Simmons of Hand defeated East Haven’s Chris Doheny by an 8-2 decision. Hand also won the 132-pound bout (Jack Wiesbrock over Elijah Trufan by pin).

Larkin Pantano (Hand) took down Maddie Cooper (East Haven) at the 1:13 mark by pin in the 138-pound bout, while Ian Foster won the 145-pound matchup by major decision (14-2) over East Haven’s Tin Trinh.

Alex Dombrowski snagged a victory for the Yellowjackets in the 160-pound matchup, taking down Sean Lynch of the Tigers at the 1:57 mark by pin.

Noah Franchi (170) and Zander Molster (182) also won their respective weight classes for East Haven. Franchi won by major decision over Hand’s Bryan Drews (10-1), and Zander Molster beat Paul Fumex by pin (2:39).

Jason Toth (East Haven) participated in the 195-pound bout, defeating Wendol Williams of Hand by pin (3:44).

Finally, Morris Selmani claimed the 220-pound bout for the Tigers with a 10-4 decision over Christian Carabantes of East Haven.

Hoping to continue the momentum from the nice win, the Yellowjackets then traveled to the Jonathan Law Invitational on Jan. 28.

Jack Batista-Fletcher claimed first place in the 113-pound bout, taking down Mael Pierre-Paul of Bunnell by pin at the 2:18 mark.

The Yellowjackets were also well-represented in the 120-pound matchup, in which Chris Doheny took first place after defeating Bunnell’s Cayden Morin by a sudden victory (7-5 decision).

Elijah Trufan (East Haven) competed in the 132-pound bout but took third place after a no-contest. East Haven’s Alex Dombrowski took down Ryan Sevigny (Notre Dame-West Haven) by an 8-7 decision in the 152-pound bout, securing third place.

Jason Toth lost a tough 195-pound matchup to Notre Dame-West Haven’s Jimmy Lowman by a 4-3 decision.

Overall, it was a good showing for the Yellowjackets.

East Haven will next face North Haven on the road on Wednesday, Feb. 1 (after press time) and will travel to the Bacon Academy Matt Bishel Bobcat Classic on Saturday, Feb. 4.

To submit results and box scores for your team, please contact sports editor Gabby Hurlbut at g.hurlbut@shorepublishing.com.