Berlin has long enjoyed a strong wrestling program at the High School and Middle School levels. The Berlin Parks and Recreation Department sponsored the Berlin Youth Wrestling until 2004-05. The club as of the 2005-2006 season became a full member of USA Wrestling Connecticut. Currently we have 67 wrestler's registered for the 2008-09 season and 64 active. Currently we have wrestlers come from Berlin and West Hartford. We have also had members from Rocky Hill in the past.

This program was started to expand the interest to wrestling to the younger boys and girls who live in Berlin, CT. Over the year's many people have been involved and helped the program get to where it is today. We are open to boys & girls in grades 1 to 7.

In 2001-02 we have reached a new record for participants. We finished the season with a total of 44 youth. Our 2004-05 team stood at 38 wrestlers. The 3rd and 4th graders were crowned Champions at the Marshwood New England Kids Championships in 2005. 2005-06 our roster consisted of 37 young athletes wrestling. 2007-08 we had at the time a record 62 wrestler's in the program.

We practice Monday and Tuesday evenings at the Old Knights of Columbus Hall. Our matches are usually scheduled for Friday evenings. If you are interested in arranging a match contact Coach Moss via e-mail.

In 2008-09 we will have the beginners and younger wrestlers practice from 5:30-6:30 PM the advanced and older wrestlers practice from 6:30-7:30 PM, Tournament Team 6:15 to 8 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays. Fridays will be practice for the advanced and tournament team from 5:30-7:00 PM until we have matches. The purpose of our program is to teach the fundamentals in wrestling while having fun.

Throughout our site if you see a title underlined you should click on the title there is more information or a link to another site that will be shown once you click on the title.

There are also open mats at Berlin High School with Shane Day and John Fiorillo doing some instruction. Open mats are Monday 6pm to 7:30 pm. You only need a USA Card, there is no cost.

Also got this from Derek Myers:

If you don’t want to wait until next season to start wrestling again, there is a youth wrestling club in West Hartford.  Anthony, Isaac Myers & Ryan Devivo have been attending for the past 6 weeks.  The practices are not very intense and it’s a way for the children to develop some of their technique during the off season.  Practices are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5:30.  The cost is $100 for 3 months and $150 if you have 2 kids.  If you are interested or have any questions give me a call or send me an email. 

Derek J. Myers
Office:  860-561-4551 or Cell:  860-478-9223

Eleven Berlin Minutemen competed in the USAWCT State Tournament this year.  They were able to crown on champion as Nick Zuk placed first in the Intermediate Division at the 110 lb weight class.

Also wrestling were the following with their results:

Intermediate division had two Minutemen in the 61 lb class as Isaac Myers won his first match before losing in the quarterfinals 1-0.   Josh Veleas won his first match 9-4 then lost in the quarterfinals but then pinning his next opponent and beating Chris Cozen from Ridgfield 4-2.  Josh then lost to eventual 3^rd place finisher  Jadan Canada 13-8 to finish in 6^th place.

Joseph Pettinelli in his second year of wrestling competed in the 76 lb. Weight class.  Joe who his first match  2-0 over Thomas McBride before losing to Devon Schoenberger. He then pinned his next opponent before losing 8-4 to third place finisher  Jake Holland.

Michael Patterson at 86lb.s was in a six man bracket where he won two matches by pin and one by major decision to finish third.

Nick Zuk made short work of Michael Quesnel of Ledyard pinning him in 42 seconds and then winning two decisions on his way to his second State title.

In the Novice Division Anthony Myers wrestled at 71 lbs. in a tough bracket.  Anthony dropped his first match 4-1 won his next match 22-7 before losing again 4-1 out of medal contention.

Sean Sullivan at 90 lb lost a tough first match 7-5 and then reeled off two wins before losing to Alex Jaromek of Stamford.

Wrestling in his second year Jared Zima had two tough matches but was able to experience the state tournament.

The Middle School Division started with Matt Cote at 91 lb where he lost his first match pinned his second opponent and then won by injury default before losing 4-1 to Steve Beckham from Danbury.

Richie Schlitching at 98 lb started with eventual runner-up Sam Odell.  He then pinned Caile Johnson of Ledyard before losing to 3^rd place finisher Zach Tepper 11-2.

The Minutemen’s final competitor was Ricky Mullins who had been fighting a cold all week and had dropped 14 lbs from the 128 lb weight class he was entered in.  Ricky lost his first match and then reeled off two wins with a nail biter 9-8 decision and 3-1 decision.  As fatigue set in he couldn’t muster enough to beat eventual 3^rd place finisher Tyler Courter losing 11-7.