Longo Brothers Qualify for Youth Wrestling Nationals

Though the traditional wrestling season ended at the end of February, Michael and Travis Longo of Wilton Youth Wrestling have continued to train and compete since then.  Their hard work paid off at the Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association (MAWA) Eastern Region qualifier held in Bethlehem, PA on April 13, which now qualifies the brothers for MAWA Nationals in Maryland.  The Longo brothers had qualified for the Eastern Region championships by virtue of their placement in the Eastern District qualifier in Willimantic, CT in March. 

In the Eastern District Qualifier, Michael Longo, a 3rd grader, took first place at 54 lbs in the Midget Division, defeating 3 opponents from CT and RI with ease.  Michael Longo was Wilton’s first ever youth state finalist, when he advanced to the state finals in New Haven before dropping a tough bout to the defending state champion from New Milford.  Travis Longo, a 6th grader, placed fourth in his bracket.  The top placers in each bracket then qualified for the regional tournament.  The Eastern Regional tournament was dominated by wrestlers from PA and NJ, which are two of the best wrestling state in the country. 

In the Eastern Regional, Michael Longo opened his campaign with a 2nd period pin over a wrestler from NJ, which put him in the semifinals against the Pennsylvania state champion Kole Biscoe from Frackville.  Biscoe was undefeated and pinned almost all his opponents.  While Longo did not prevail, he scored on the previously unscored upon Biscoe in an 11-2 loss.  In the consolation semifinals, Longo pinned an opponent from NJ and captured the bronze with a first period fall over Travis Riefenstahl of Hellertown, PA.

Brother Travis opened with a 2nd period fall over a New Jersey wrestler before being pinned by eventual champion Matthew Mayer of host Bethlehem, PA.  Longo suffered a shoulder bruise that left him with significant discomfort, but he elected to continue wrestling.  The decision paid off, as he won his next two bouts against PA wrestlers to make the consolation finals.  In the consolation finals, he suffered a close loss to Colton Jordan of Langhorne, PA. 

Both Longos have now qualified for the MAWA Nationals, which will draw wrestlers from all over.  The tournament will be held on May 4 in Salisbury, MD.