Naugatuck’s Wilcox gets taste of wrestling postseason

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Naugatuck sophomore wrestler Logan Wilcox. -JASON LEVY/REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

WINSTED — Naugatuck wrestler Logan Wilcox competed in his first postseason tournament Feb. 9 at the Berkshire Valley Invitational, and the sophomore showed he could hold his own against more experienced grapplers.

Wilcox, who represents Naugatuck High School as a team of one and wrestles with Pomperaug, finished fourth in the 170-pound class at the invitational.

“I was up against more experienced upperclassman but I thought I handled myself well. I didn’t qualify for the tournament last year, so it was great experience for me,” said Wilcox, who added he was thankful for Nonnewaug coach Dave Green’s help during the tournament.

Wilcox ended the tournament with a 2-2 record.

In the first round, Wilcox pinned Oxford junior Ed Chappa in 2:38. He took his second victory with a pin at 2:55 against Terryville junior Jamison Kulesa.

In the semifinals, Wilcox went up against Gilbert senior Alex Smith, the eventual Berkshire champion in the 170-pound class, and fell short in a 14-5 major decision.

In the battle for third place, Logan again faced off against a senior, Northwestern’s Joshua Schwartz, and was pinned in 2:38 to finish in fourth place.

“There was a lot of great wrestling and the competition was really high end,” Wilcox said.

“I saw a lot of improvement this season,” he added. “About half of the teams there were teams of one, so it was great to be able to represent Naugatuck. I think a tournament like this will have me a little more prepared going into the states this year.”

Wilcox, who finished the regular season with a 6-7 record, was ranked 15th in his weight class and competed in the Class L state tournament at Bristol Central on Feb. 16. Wilcox was just one of four sophomores in the field of 20 wrestlers.