In class 1-A, Don Bosco advance 11 of their 12 wrestlers to today’s quarterfinals. The Dons have the team lead with 34 points as they seek their third consecutive team title. New London is in second (19.5), Nashua Plainfield third (19) and I-35 Truro fourth (17.5).
Mitch Johnson of I-35 is the top-ranked wrestler at 135 pounds. He’s hoping his team can challenge for a trophy. "It’s my senior year and I want to go out on top," Johnson said after his first-round win. "Bosco’s tough, but I think we can come right in there with ’em…it’ll be tough to beat ’em."
Johnson, who finished second at state last year, scored a 10-2 major decision in his first match with Russ Godbersen, a sophomore from Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn who finished 6th in 2007. "I got the 10th ranked kid in the first round and I just majored him," Johnson said. "Next round, I’ll have the 3rd ranked kid. I’m looking forward to it. You have to beat the best to be the best is what I say…so, it’s okay with me." Johnson will face Rockford’s Nathan McRoberts is today’s quarterfinals.
Class 3-A wrestlers will have their first round matches this morning at 9 o’clock.