H.S. wrestling / 2024-25 preview capsules

ECC Division I East Lyme/Norwich Tech Coach: Ed Lorah (16th season) Key returnees: Sr. Lincoln Carlson, Sr. Brayden Soleau, Sr. Jonathan Harms, So. Angel Stimson, Jr. Gianno Pearson, Sr. Reuben Minter, Jr. Anthony Caisse, So. Riely Georgian, So. Jacob Palermo Top newcomers: So. Jacob Bookmiller, Fr. Noah Caisse Outlook: The Vikings return two of the top wrestlers in the state in their weight class in Carlson, a Class L and State Open champion and third in the New England at 175, and Soleau, runner-up in Class L and State Open. Adding a talented group of underclassmen and girls' wrestlers should result in a very rewarding year for the Vikings, both as a team and individually, according to Lorah. New London Coach: Michael Gorton (13th season) Key returnees: Sr. Giovanni Escalera-Da Silva, Sr. Jhandel Marichal, Sr. Jaquis Lee, Sr. Alejandro Torres, Jr. Jeremy Ruiz Top newcomers: Sr. Klayphmond Jean Outlook: After graduating 13 seniors, New London has a smaller roster more than any time in the last decade. Wrestlers that stuck with it are focused on and off the mat, according to Gorton. The Whalers hope to be consistent and develop a handful of great individual stories in what will be Gorton's final season. NFA Coach: Steven Nelson (9th season) Key returnees: Sr. Joshua Cuevas, Sr. Brock Nowakowski, Sr. Jackson Sorel, Sr. Edward Lavoie, Sr. John Dexter, Sr. Hayden Anderson, Jr. Naim Wallace, Sr. Jesse Tingley Top newcomers: So. Raistlin Asher, Jr. Ronaldy Baez, So. Cameron Bell-Snow, Fr. Jayden Blanchard, So. Jack Burton, So. Bryan Calixte, So. Tenzin Choesang, So. Michael Dexter, Fr. Jeremiah Dickerson Outlook: Despite a number of significant losses, NFA returns a strong core of veterans. With 50 wrestlers on the team, there is no shortage of newcomers to fill the holes created by graduation. Sorel (ECC champ at 126), Lavoie and Wallace will lead this year's team in their defense of the ECC Division I title, which the Wildcats have won six seasons in a row. Nelson hopes his team will grow, improve throughout the season and compete at a high level. (Fitch also competes in Division I) ECC Division II Ledyard Coach: Allyn Quibble (5th season) Key returnees: Sr. Aidan Schlimgen (heavyweight), Sr. Joey Crader (144), Sr. Ryan Taggart (157) Outlook: Ledyard hopes to stay competitive and build a strong team while striving to achieve its goals. The Colonels will lean on their talented seniors and welcome a good, hard-working group of freshmen. Waterford Coach: Chris Gamble (25th season) Key returnees: Sr. Lucas Gannotti, Sr. Braeden Sollima, Sr. Aidan Piccoli, Jr. Luke Westkott, So. Dustin Powers, So. Sam Vasquez, Jr. Adam Balfour, Jr. Lucas Bourez, Jr. Camden Del Grosso, Jr. Alex Dyjak, Jr. Kian Gordy, Jr. Riley Montana, Sr. Justin Gray, Sr. Jacob Racicot Outlook: The Lancers are excited about the upcoming season with several varsity wrestlers back, including Gannotti, the defending Class S champion at 150. Waterford will rely on an experienced group of upperclassmen and also welcome a promising freshmen class. Gamble is hoping the team makes significant gains from last year's ECC and state championships. (Windham, Killingly and Woodstock also compete in ECC Division II) ECC Division III Bacon Academy Coach: Michael Voiland (2nd season) Key returnees: So. Jake Ashley (138), So. Sai Parekh (144) Top newcomers: Fr. Jameson Grant (113), Jr. Lucian Dean (175) Outlook: The Bobcats have a small roster with young wrestlers, including six freshmen and three sophomores. Griswold/Wheeler Coach: Dana Cooke (23rd season) Key returnees: Sr. Seth Christie, Sr. Russell Stewart, Sr. Jeff Bentley, Sr. Jesus Busanet, Jr. Vincent Andreozzi, Jr. Michael Capalbo Outlook: Griswold/Wheeler graduated just three members of last year's team and looks to continue its success behind defending ECC 113-pound champion Seth Christie, who was fourth in Class S, and a great deal of depth. Andreozzi was also fourth in the state. Said Cooke: "The team is working hard as a family to push one another along the way. We have high hopes of bringing home more hardware this year than last at the postseason tournaments." Lyman Memorial/Windham Tech Coach: Brandon Strout (11th season) Key returnees: Sr. James Hiltz, Sr. Oliver Gatti, Jr. Larriel Francisco-Soto, So. Russell Reed, So. Mikey Santil, So. Calvin Sammarco, So. Lucas Judd, So. Jason Thoma Top newcomers: Fr. Johnny Salgado, Fr. Logan Davis, Jr. Ethan Gamache, Fr. Jonah Dodge, Fr. Makenna Sanchez, Sr. Becca Ziegler Outlook: Lyman, the Class S runner-up last season, will rely on a very young team that's eager to learn and compete every day, according to Strout. He's looking for consistent growth and development throughout the season. Montville Coach: Jake Caskey (4th season) Key returnees: Sr. Chloe Leonardi (106), Sr. Adrian Adames (120), Sr. Christian Hall (132), Sr. Hector Aponte (165), Sr. Luke Chapman (175) Top newcomers: Fr. David Linder (113) Outlook: Montville, which graduated the ECC tournament's Outstanding Wrestler from a year ago in James Linder, brings a young but hungry lineup to the table, according to Caskey. "What we lack in experience will be made up for with tenacity," Caskey said. The Wolves have nearly a full lineup and look to finish the year as a top contender team in the postseason. (Putnam also competes in ECC Division III) Others Old Lyme Coach: Nicholas Bradley (3rd season) Key returnees: Sr. Hoshena Gemme, Sr. Rowan Hovey, So. Taiyo Gemme Outlook: Old Lyme is returning a small roster this year and a few key contributors. Hovey placed sixth in Class S at 144 and Taiyo Gemme was sixth at 138. In the girls' division, Hoshena Gemme is looking to win another girls' state and New England title to finish her career.