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"For the state title? Danbury is still on the schedule ... it is between them and us," Sepko said. "We have a very good schedule. Of the top 50 teams in the state, we wrestle most of them. We have (six) place winners back. A lot of experience at the tournament level. Hopefully it will show on the mat this year."
Southington returns one of the top wrestlers in the state in senior Larry Liseo. Last season at 160 pounds, Liseo won the Class LL meet and finished second in the State Open. Liseo, fresh off a productive football season, will begin the season at 171 but Sepko is confident that Liseo can get back to 160.
"He is LL champion if he can come back to 160 but you can't do it in 14 days," Sepko said.
Southington also returns sophomore Jeff Fontaine at 103 and Ryan Lee who will wrestle at 125 after finishing fourth at 119. Mat Florian, who also may move down in weight, will start out at 152. Sophomore Chris Lee was outstanding as a freshman last year finishing second at 140 pounds. Bill St. Pierre, who finished the 2000-01 campaign with a flurry, is secure at 135.
"We have a lot of good wrestlers this year. It is always a competitive division (CCC South) with a couple of top 10 teams...a very tough league to win," Sepko said. "If you win the division you are a pretty good team."
BERLIN
The Redcoats will be right up there with Southington and Danbury as one of the top teams in the state.The Redcoats, No. 5 preseason, are the defending Class L champions and finished fourth in the Open. The Redcoats lost a ton to graduation but return a strong, young team that will be heard from for years to come.
"While they were here they won three state titles," Berlin coach Jim Day said of his departed leaders, Mike Laroche, John Szymanski and Aaron Trusty. "Early on we may take some losses but I am impressed with the freshmen."
Berlin never has troubles with numbers but right now does not have any candidates at 103. The Redcoats should be able to make up for those points with a core group of returnees. Jim Punkunus won the Class L championship at 171 pounds. Senior C.J McCormack finished second at 112 and placed second in the Open. McCormack will wrestle at 125 to start out this season. Bill Aust (152) and Derek Aiviano (135) also return.
Berlin has been Northwest Conference champions for 15 of the past 17 seasons and is the favorite to do it again. Plainville will field a small but talented team and newcomer Rocky Hill will also be strong. Berlin is always talented and Day likes the competitive fire he sees out of his young wrestlers.
"As long as they are competitive. There are a lot of talented people that aren't successful," Day said. "The work ethic and talent is there."
Day is pointing to Dec. 22 when the Redcoats wrestle RHAM, Windham and Killingly in what should provide a barometer for what may lie ahead.
PLAINVILLE
If only the numbers were there, Plainville would be a force to be reckoned with in the state. The Blue Devils are very thin and may have several forfeits right off the bat if some of the wrestlers can't make weight. With only 20 on the team injuries are something Plainville has to avoid.
"It is important for our team to have guys get into weight classes. We can't afford injuries and have to stay healthy," Plainville coach Sean Kelly said.
Vito Barbagallo (119) and Jesse Cavallaro (103 or 112) are cornerstones. Both placed in Class S last season and will be relied upon for maximum points. Barbagallo is one of the most intense wrestlers in the area and finished fourth in the State Open a year ago.
"We have a pretty balanced team. Vito Barbagallo is a State Open place winner and inJesse Cavallaro we look for big things," Kelly said
FARMINGTON
Farmington is itching to make a move in the NWC this year after going winless a year ago. The Indians under fifth-year coach Eric Misko will be much improved this winter.
The young Indians took their lumps a year ago and are much better for it.
"We have a number of returning wrestlers. We're young but we were able to bring in a couple of seniors who are going to help us," Misko said.
Farmington will rely on Brent Herud at 112 pounds. Herud won 28 matches a year ago and Misko is confident he can continue to improve. Misko also expects big things out of Matt Hancock who won the Junior Varsity New England tournament at 119 and will wrestle at 130 this season.
Farmington has 40 kids out for the team this season and Misko thinks improvement is imminent.
"With time I think we can be a very competitive team in the conference," Misko said.
ROCKY HILL
The Terriers have moved the NWC this season and are the wild card in conference. Mike Cunningham will field his most experienced team after placing ninth in Class S last year.
At 103 the key for the Terriers will be Carl DeStefanis, who as senior will be a rarity at the low weight class. Cunningham also returns Loxley Walters, Steve Bongiovanni and Rob Labonte, who all placed in the Class S meet last year. All will move up in weight class but Cunningham thinks they are talented enough to compete in the tough NWC.
"We move into the NWC with the most experience team I have had. We have mostly juniors and seniors," Cunningham said. "We start out with a senior at 103. We will look to get on board right off the bat."
NEW BRITAIN
The Hurricanes have a nice mix of youth and experience with a good blend at the upper weight classes.
The Hurricanes finished fifth in the CCC South last season. The Hurricanes will be without four-year letter winner Konrad Przychodzen (fractured right foot) until after Christmas. Matthew Evans will replace Przychodzen at 189. The Hurricanes will also get a boost from the seniors -- Ryan Pacyna (135) and Matt Dowling (140) -- and junior Johnny Medina (160).
The Hurricanes will be without a wrestler at 103 but coach Ed Smith is hoping to convince someone to come out.
NEWINGTON
Second-year coach Matt Rossi is facing the liability of having several weight classes unfilled.
Currently Newington is without wrestlers at 125, 130, 135, 215 and 275 and are thin at other classes. It is a difficult situation for Rossi but he isn't going to dwell on something he can't control.
"I tell the kids to go out and wrestle hard. I am not going to lose sleep over it," Rossi said."The chances are there to win."
Newington returns Class L champion Craig Ryan, who won the 103 championship as a freshman last year. Ryan will compete at 112 this season and Kevin Horan will fill his spot at 103. Last season Ryan finished 27-2 in duals meets and was 31-4 on the year with two losses coming in the State Open.
"He's getting bigger and stronger. I don't see it as a big difference for him. That's his weight. He is not sucking down and that will help him," Rossi said.
WETHERSFIELD
Coach Jim Arnold remains optimistic despite facing the campaign ahead with a thin, inexperience squad.
"We have a lot of freshman and sophomores and that is great for the future," Arnold said. "The kids are working hard and eventually it will come. By midseason the kids will start to know what they should be doing."
The Eagles will be led by Sean Murphy at 181 and Josh Mack at 160. Sophomores Ermal Agolli (152), Jose Zuniga (140) and junior Mike Mendez will be relied upon heavily for points.
