As is with any other new situation, starting a program from scratch can come with its challenges. Although Head Coach Peter Tseperkas and the North Haven wrestling team have faced a variety of learning curves, they managed to put together a successful debut season, finishing the dual meet portion with an overall record of 9-11.

Although the squad was unable to compete as a group with the top foes among the SCC and state ranks, Tseperkas was proud of the season the Nighthawks put together on the mat.

“We had really good showings, we had a freshman make it to the semifinals for the Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC) finals, which is great. At the state tournament we had three wrestlers make it to the second day, which is very exceptional,” said Tseperkas. “Before the season started, I did not expect anyone to make it to day two, so I was very happy about that. I think our team saw that although we were not winning those close matches yet, we are competing and getting there.”

Several wrestlers qualified and competed in the SCC Tournament, where the team finished in a tie for 15th place. The day was highlighted by freshman Christian DeMaio, who made it to the semifinals at 195 pounds. DeMaio also made history by being the first ever semifinalist for North Haven Wrestling and was one match away from placing. Senior captain AJ Tomaszewski finished the day with a 2-2 record on the mats. Other wrestlers who advanced into the tournament were Justin Katz at 106 pounds, Owen Lin at 220 pounds, and Joe Carbone at 285 pounds.

Captains Tomaszewski, Michael Bolduc, and Nathan Ruggiero proved to be an integral piece to the team’s puzzle this season, leading their teammates through their dedication and positive attitudes.

“From day one those three guys were pretty much the first ones at practice, last ones to leave, and the ones that helped set up and clean the mat; getting the team ready for our warmups, leading in drills during practice, being that assistant coach that I did not have when I needed it,” said Tseperkas. “They would help me coach at tournaments too because there would be times where I had two different athletes competing on two different mats at the same time. I looked to them to help me out, and they were there coaching their teammates and cheering them on, giving them the support they needed.”

Several North Haven wrestlers attended the Class M State Tournament on Feb. 17 and 18, including Katz at 106 pounds, Mason Mansur at 113 pounds, Auriana Camano at 120 pounds, Hayden Minns at 126 pounds, Rob Richitelli at 132 pounds, Emilio Crocco at 138 pounds, Jace Iamunno at 145 pounds, Tomaszewski at 152 pounds, Bolduc at 160 pounds, Elijah Ellis at 170 pounds, Tyler DiMauro at 182 pounds, DeMaio at 195 pounds, Lin at 220 pounds, and Carbone at 285 pounds. Iamunno, DiMauro, and Ellis advanced to day two.

The Nighthawks finished their first season with an independent SCC record of 5-4. DiMauro led the team with 19 wins, followed by Iammuno (16 wins), DeMaio (14 wins), Luke Asbury (13 wins), Carbone (12 wins), Lin (12 wins), and Tomaszewski (10 wins). Individual pins leaders included DiMauro (14), DeMaio (12), Iamunno (10), Ruggiero (7), and Asbury (6).

On March 8, North Haven held its annual winter season awards ceremony, an evening that highlights and honors the accomplishments of all Nighthawks winter athletes.

“Every team gives Most Improved, the Team Sportsmanship award, and the Most Valuable Player (MVP),” said Tseperkas. “Our winners were Ellis (Most Improved), Richitelli (Sportsmanship award), and Tomaszewski (MVP).”

Although the Nighthawks finished with a record of close to .500, Tseperkas acknowledged that forming that record wasn’t an easy feat. Wrestling takes a toll both mentally and physically, and it takes a tremendous amount of focus to continue to improve.

“Wrestling is a difficult sport because you have to be totally dedicated,” said Tseperkas. “You cannot leave practice and eat whatever you want. You are in a weight class, and you have to manage your weight, eat healthy, and they have to take care of their body. The weight was definitely an added factor/stress, plus, like for all student athletes, managing their schoolwork. Our Saturdays were all day, leaving at 6 a.m. and not getting back until 7 p.m. The mental aspect is just as tough. A lot of them went from being afraid to lose, to getting over that hump and not wanting to lose,” said Tseperkas. “That is a mental battle that each kid had to get to on their own.”

The Nighthawks started the winter with 30 wrestlers able to compete on the mat, but finished with 29 due to an injury to one wrestler. Although he wasn’t able to compete in the postseason, Tseperkas felt like he played an equal role in the team’s success as the wrestlers who were actively on the mat.

“I would say that we started with 30 and ended with 30, because his injury happened two weeks before the season ended,” said Tseperkas. “That, to me, was the greatest success of the team.”

Beyond the mat and after all the individual and team accolades, Tseperkas is proud of his team and the way they carried themselves despite being a fresh new program.

“This season was an awesome success, beyond what I expected. To come into a brand-new sport, with no experience and to get to the point where we were sending wrestlers to the second day of states and winning matches is great,” said Tseperkas. “Wins and losses do not dictate success, but to win nine matches at the varsity level, to finish that close to .500, they exceeded all of my expectations.”

The Nighthawks coed wrestling team is comprised of 30 wrestlers, including Bolduc, Richitelli, Tomaszewski, Matthew Kauhl (junior, 160 pounds), Lin, Yaseen Mahmoud (junior, 170 pounds), Alexander Molyneaux (junior, 182 pounds), Ruggiero, Nicholas Travers (junior, 132 pounds), Asbury, Carbone, Autumn Clark (sophomore, 138 pounds), Crocco, DiMauro, Ellis, Jonah Hammarlund (sophomore, 152 pounds), Iammuno, Hashim Ibrahim (sophomore, 182 pounds), Russell Kieslick IV (sophomore, 182 pounds), Mansur, Michael Moran (junior, 160 pounds), Camano, Dezmaio, Jeremy Guertin (freshman, 170 pounds), Logan Jeffery (freshman, 138 pounds), Katz, Rayyan Mahmoud (freshman, 170 pounds), Joe Maury (freshman, 195 pounds), and Minns.