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Norwalk Mad Bulls Wrestlers Hit The Mats For Season-Opener

NORWALK, Conn. -- The Norwalk Mad Bulls took 28 young wrestlers to its first tournament of the season Sunday, Dec. 14, in New Milford.

Mikey Bartush, a fifth-grader, was one of four tournament champions for the Norwalk Mad Bulls.

Mikey Bartush, a fifth-grader, was one of four tournament champions for the Norwalk Mad Bulls.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Colin Falla of the Norwalk Mad Bulls youth wrestling team has his arm raised after winning a match in New Milford. Falla was among 21 Norwalk wrestlers to place at the meet.

Colin Falla of the Norwalk Mad Bulls youth wrestling team has his arm raised after winning a match in New Milford. Falla was among 21 Norwalk wrestlers to place at the meet.

Photo Credit: Contributed

For the day, 21 of 28 Norwalk wrestlers placed, including four champions. 

“This tournament featured some of the best local wrestling talent in the state,'' program director Randy Haus said. "For some kids, it’s tough being a beginner at these events, but we fared very well. We took a nice blend of newbie wrestlers and some of our varsity guys who have been with the club for a few years now, we had a decent day overall, our coaching staff is very pleased with our results and progress.”

The Mad Bulls were led by veterans Mikey Bartush, Koy Price, Nemo Harris and newcomer Justin Gierum, all of whom won gold medals.

“We looked good as a team,'' Haus said. "We have a lot of football players  who have slowly drifted into the wrestling room after their season was finally over, so some are getting a late start. We were a little rusty today, and our timing just a little off. Moving forward it’s all correctable things we saw out there today."

Wrestling impressively for the first time for the Mad Bulls were Will Motley, James Motley, Ryan Monti, Robert Gierum, Quincy Carter, Asaiah Baez and Tournament Champion Justin Gierum.

Head coach Art Schad commented on the newcomers “We like the kids to get an early start in this sport, after the nerves and butterflies went away we saw some great effort out there today, the kids were working their moves and hanging tough against their more experienced opponents.We close the experience gap pretty quickly on our club. Right now they are paying their dues as beginner wrestlers, but that we change quickly with some more practice and our team work ethic in practice."

Schad pointed out that Newcomer Justin Gierum won the tournament championship by pinning four opponents. “You don’t see that very often with new beginner wrestlers, yet I am not surprised, Justin is an intense listener and works very hard at practice along with his brother Robert, and I see a bright future for them both in this sport.”

Along with four tournament champions; Sam White, Charlie Prather, Artie Cocchia, Noah Fraas, Jaylen Carter, Colin Falla, Quincy Carter, Nicky Singer, Jacob Gonzales, James Wise, Damari Maxam, Robert Gierum and Nick Augeri all medaled for the Mad Bulls.

The Norwalk Mad Bull youth program now in its fifth year of existence has 80 youth wrestlers on the team roster and compete throughout the state of Connecticut and New England.

Next stop for the Mad Bulls will be in Bristol, Conn., on Sunday, Dec. 21.

 

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