Oxford Wolverine Wrestlers Looking Good In Off-Season

The following information was submitted by Oxford wrestling coaches and parents.

The Oxford High School wrestling team is doing well in off-season wrestling tournaments this summer.

Last weekend, wrestler Joe Carbonaro made school history as the first Oxford wrestler to win a gold medal at the Nutmeg Games wrestling tournament in the 16-to-18-year-old division. He defeated extra-large Haddam heavyweight Greg Murray 6-3 to win the gold, after pinning his way through the rest of the field.

Carbonaro was also the first Oxford HS wrestler to advance to the state finals last season, where he felt just short of becoming Oxford's first high school state champion.

Overall, Oxford did very well. Wrestlers Alex Mardis and Paul Chavez took silver. Dan Carbonaro took bronze. Rich Sciongay finished fourth.

In the 13-to-15-year-old division, Gerald Bordeaux, Andy Temple and Nick Lombardi took bronze. Steve Persson won the gold in his customary dominant fashion.

As a team, this is the most medals Oxford has produced from the Nutmeg games. It bodes well for the Oxford HS wrestling program in its quest for a Class S State Championship in the upcoming season.

The team also did well at the Springfield, Mass., wrestling tournament this past weekend.

OHS Captain Benjamin Blue finished first in his weight class with a 7-0 record.

OHS Captain Paul Chavez took first in the 152 pound weight class with a 5-0 record.

Alex Mardis took first in the 189 pound weight class with a 5-1 record.

Nine wrestlers attended the tournament with Head Coach Ben Blue and Assistant Coach Gerard Carbonaro.