Taylor Cooley Doesn’t Let Injuries Stop Gymnastics Dream

Senior Taylor Cooley on the uneven bars. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CASSIDY CHAMBERLAND

First it was a stress fracture in her back. Then, a torn UCL in her elbow. Each injury forced Southington senior Taylor Cooley to be away from the mat, and at times not involved in gymnastics at all. But for all the time she lost due to injuries, Cooley never lost her resilience.

During her time with the Southington High School gymnastics team, Cooley has become a champion and captain while making her mark on the Blue Knights program. There was no hurdle that could have stopped the senior’s drive.

“I don’t want to let myself down,” Cooley said. “I will do anything to prove that doesn’t happen – I will come into practice early, I will stay after. I’ll work out at home, I go to the gym after practice. I want to get everything before I’m done, I want to get everything I hoped I would.”

Long before she was a Blue Knight, Cooley was a three-year-old enrolled in Mom & Tot gymnastics with her mother Deborah. She had watched her sister Hannah compete in the sport, and her mom wanted to ensure that she stayed active.

When she was six-years-old, Cooley began taking gymnastics more seriously. She enrolled in her first competition program at the Southington YMCA. Cooley moved to American Gymnastics in fourth grade before joining John’s Academy Gymnastics in seventh grade.

Always a hyper kid, it didn’t take long for the sport to click for Cooley. Along the way, she began to watch girls older than herself competing in gymnastics. Cooley committed to being just like them, pushing herself as far as she could at the competition level.

“Moving up to a different level takes lots of time, many, many hours of practice,” Cooley said. “It was a stressful time in my life, jumping from gym to gym, trying to move up levels.”

“It was really important to try and become like the girls I grew up with,” she continues. “There are level nines and tens. I was just this little level five. I wanted to get there as fast as I could. I decided to put everything I had into it. I did no other sports, I dedicated all my time to trying to be like my older sister and other friends who were older than me.”

Cooley competes at the Junior Olympic level, which works on a leveling scale. Gymnasts will begin on pre-team, before advancing through levels two through 10. Each level up comes with set requirements, and coaches aren’t keen to promote a gymnast without merit.

It has been a grind, but the senior has now become a level nine gymnast. It’s an accomplishment she treasures. Cooley is also well aware of what it took to earn the title.

“It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life,” Cooley said. “I’ve had to quit multiple times due to injuries or mental health reasons. Jumping back from those setbacks and working up to the high level I am at now was a really difficult experience for me. Once I was able to realize it was something I really wanted, I was able to achieve that.”

Blue Knights Debut Changes Cooley’s Course

At the end of seventh grade, Cooley was forced to leave gymnastics after suffering a stress fracture in her back. She kept trying to come back, but the injury had other plans. Furthermore, Cooley couldn’t stomach watching her friends continue to progress with her off the mat.

“It’s not a very good feeling to see all your friends progressing when you’re just sitting here not able to do anything,” Cooley said. “When you finally think that you’re healing, you go out and try stuff, you’re so excited to come back. But then you realize you’re not fully healed. That’s what happened in my case.”

Having to take a full year away from gymnastics, Cooley originally thought she would never return to the sport. But high school was approaching. She still remembered how much gymnastics truly meant to her. Ultimately, Cooley made her return to competition as a freshman with the Blue Knights.

“I never anticipated coming back to gymnastics after seventh grade. I thought I was done,” Cooley said, “until I realized high school gymnastics might be something I want to do. I just went to the gym for fun, to see if I could still do my skills and see if it was something I wanted to try.”

High school gymnastics was exactly what Cooley needed to get her spark back. She loved being with her Blue Knights teammates and everyone working together. Her freshman experience even convinced her to get back into club gymnastics with American.

At the end of her first year with Southington, Cooley helped the Blue Knights win the Class L State Tournament. It’s a moment she still carries fondly in her memory and won’t soon forget. Cooley also loved being alongside Ella Silverman, who was the only other freshman on the competition team.

“It was a really great experience,” Cooley said. “We all came together, we were one unified group. We worked so hard the entire season. It felt great that my first year on the team we had such a great experience.”

It isn’t often that a freshman competes at the state tournament – especially one who hadn’t participated in the sport a year prior. But the gymnastics bone never left Cooley’s body, even if it was broken at one point. Gymnastics has always been a part of her.

“There’s a lot of muscle memory in gymnastics. It’s not as difficult as it would seem to get back into it,” Cooley said. “I was very determined. I have been noted as a very determined and resilient person. When I went into the gym, I knew that I had to work hard to get where I wanted to be.”

Cooley on the beam.

Cooley Gets Back Up

Just as Cooley was getting settled back into gymnastics, she suffered a UCL tear at the beginning of his sophomore high school season. She had to undergo a full reconstruction surgery and take another full year off from the sport. Those feelings of despair from the past crept up again.

“It was a really bad feeling, seeing all of my friends competing without me again,” Cooley said. “I started to dislike gymnastics at that point. It’s just something you don’t want to experience.”

In her time off, Cooley had gotten a job and begun thinking about life without gymnastics. But her work on the mat wasn’t finished yet. She may have missed her junior season, but senior year offered a new opportunity. Cooley knew she had to take it.

“I needed to finish out the school year,” Cooley said. “I hadn’t done gymnastics the entire junior year. I just wanted to finish it out and start clean over the summer.”

Southington head coach Cassidy Chamberland watched intently as the senior returned from her second serious injury. As she welcomed her back, she saw a gymnast determined to prove herself. Furthermore, Chamberland watched Cooley get everything she wanted from the program.

“Taylor carries a steady confidence and leads the team by example,” Chamberland said. “She is extremely hard working and her skills and success on the events proved that this season. I am proud of the way she was resilient through injury to lead her team to a successful season. She will be irreplaceable next year.”

Senior Send Off

It was a difficult return to action for the now senior – especially on the bars, where you’re mostly using your arms. Cooley may have had muscle memory, but she still had to get those muscles working together again.

In her final year with Southington, she wanted to take on an even greater challenge. Cooley’s main goal was competing as an all-around gymnast, in all four events – vault, bar, beam and floor. Cooley understands the privilege that would entail, as only six people can be put up for an event per team. On a squad of 13-14 girls, not everyone will get the chance to compete.

But like every challenge in her gymnastics career, Cooley wasn’t backing down. This time around, it was personal. Cooley had overcome obstacle after obstacle in order to get one last shot at gymnastics. She was determined to spend her final year doing things the way she wanted.

“It means a lot,” Cooley said of competing all-around. “It helped prove to myself that I can do what I said I’m going to do. I had a lot of doubts going into it that I wasn’t going enough or that I wasn’t going to be able to get back. But it has proven to me that I am as good as I think I am. It feels really nice to achieve my goals.”

Southington went on to win the 2026 Central Connecticut Conference Tournament, even though it wasn’t her best meet, since she fell on her vault. Still, everyone on the Blue Knights rallied and found a way to grab the title. As they competed in the postseason, the senior wanted Southington to finish strong. Individually, she was hoping her time with the Blue Knights ended at the New England Championships.

“We just want to end the season as best as we can, as clean as we can with no falls,” Cooley said. “Really show everyone that has doubted us and our team that we can do this.”

Southington placed runner-up at the Class L State Championship. Cooley’s work qualified her for the State Open in all four individual events and the all-around. There, she tied for first in the balance beam and fifth in all-around. Cooley’s wish came true, as she qualified for the New England Championships, finishing tied for 16th in beam and tied for 19th in all-around. The senior was also named First-team All-State.

"State Open was insane," Cooley said. "The majority of the team was sick leading up to the meet. It was rough, but I ended up having one of the best meets of my high school career. What made it even better was that we ended up qualifying as a team for New Englands. I'm not even sure the last time that happened. I have great teammate and coaches and cannot imagine having any better of a senior season." 

For her prowess at each event, Cooley spent her senior season as one of Southington’s captains. She was joined by Silverman, who had been competing with her from the jump, and junior Kacie Riddle. Cooley grew up always looking up to her upperclassmen captains. Now, she finally had an opportunity to be in their shoes.

“When I was an underclassmen, I always looked up to the captains,” Cooley said. “I had a good relationship with the captains. To be one of those captains that I once admired now feels really good.”

While injuries may have upset her continuity, Cooley has watched the Blue Knights grow tremendously over her four years. There may have been some turnover, but every squad and every athlete that she called a teammate made the journey memorable.

“We have grown so much since I was a freshman,” the senior said. “We have lost people, we have gained really good new people. The team is constantly changing. You go into the next season not knowing what to expect. I’m really proud of everyone who has been on the team, it has been a wonderful experience.”

Cooley’s Final Competition

Cooley doesn’t regret coming back for one last gymnastics run. The team’s success was wonderful, and she managed to make what she now calls lifelong friends. Whether it be club or for the high school, Cooley always competed for Southington. She appreciated the differences each venue offered her.

“It has been really great being a part of two different teams,” Cooley said. “Club and high school gymnastics are completely different in almost every way you can think of. After being a part of a smaller team in club, it has been really great to experience a bigger team and more competitions.”

Once she graduates, Cooley plans on stepping away from gymnastics for good. She is hoping to go to Central Connecticut State University and pursue a degree in nursing. She wants to focus on staying active in other ways and “starting a new chapter” in her life.

Still, gymnastics will always be a part of Cooley’s DNA. No matter how fierce of a blow the sport might’ve thrown, the senior had an answer. For that, Cooley is grateful. Without gymnastics, she wouldn’t be the person she has become today.

“It has shaped me in every single way,” Cooley said. “My entire personality has been shaped by gymnastics. Competing has made me very dedicated. You go into a gymnastics competition not knowing what’s going to happen. Every single turn you take is different. You just have to hope you can pull through for yourself. It has made me who I am, I know I have to be the best version of myself.”

Senior-laden Bucks Win Second Straight SYBA Championship

The Southington Youth Basketball Association champion Bucks. DAN FAPPIANO PHOTOS

Al Rosenberg has been involved with the Southington Youth Basketball Association for the past four decades. Still, the current co-director hadn’t seen many championship games like the 2025-26 season’s version. The Bucks battled through a fiery Suns comeback attempt to win 70-64 and earn their second-straight SYBA crown. It was the type of game that Rosenberg believes helps define what the league is all about.

“This game,” Rosenberg said of what he’ll remember most about the year. “It was the best, most exciting game we had of the whole season. To have a finals that finished up that way is absolutely tremendous. We had a huge crowd which is always great, this gym electrifies everything. Couldn’t be more proud. The kids played great and they were all good sportsmen.”

At 7-1, the Suns entered the championship as the No. 2 seed while the Bucks’ 6-2 record put them at No. 4. In their regular season matchup, the Suns came away with a 65-56 victory. Now facing off with the title on the line, Bucks senior Jaxiel Rivera knew his team had to put forth a much stronger effort.

“That team, they’re shooters,” Rivera said. “The first time we played them, I underestimated them. But they came in shooting, so we knew we had to step up. We had to lock in.”

Bucks Battle Through Suns’ Late Run

The Bucks came out of the gates hot, jumping out to a 21-8 lead after the first quarter. Rivera led the way with seven points while senior Jackson Colwick and freshman Bryce Zielenski each had six. While Suns sophomore Ben Swift scored eight points in the second quarter, Rivera, Colwick and senior Mitch Zielenski combined for 16 to give the Bucks a 39-25 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter though, the Suns found their stride from behind the arc. Junior Jake Bonefant hit three three-pointers while sophomores Josh Bonefant and Cole Lefkowitz each made one. The three-ball onslaught led to the Suns cutting the lead to 55-42.

Their barrage didn’t stop in the fourth quarter either. Each Bonenfant hit another triple as Lefkowitz hit two. Swift added six points of his own. And with only 30 seconds remaining, the Suns had cut the lead to just three.

But for any bending the Bucks might’ve done, they did not break. Rivera scored eight points in the quarter while senior Alec Xayvethy made a three. The senior Zielenski made all four of his free throw attempts while Rivera went two-of-three. The Suns may have added some late drama, but the Bucks held on for the 70-64 victory.

Colwick was feeling confident entering the championship game. His play matched his attitude as he scored 16 points. For any bumps in the road, the senior knew the Bucks had all the tools necessary to succeed.

“We won last year, we knew we were going to win this year,” Colwick said. “No question. “Halftime, we kind of struggled, but we came back and got it done.”

“I just knew I was going to have a good night,” he continued. “I started making threes in the beginning of the game, I knew I was going to continue it. I tried to get my teammates some points too. Had to give it all around.”

Head coach Jim Smith has now watched the Bucks win back-to-back titles. The team’s first championship run featured his son James on the squad. While he may have graduated, Smith knew his time with the Bucks wasn’t over.

“My son was on the team last year. He told me that we couldn’t do it. So I had to come back and make sure that we did it,” Smith said of going back-to-back. “It was a pleasure. These kids are great to be around. I have a lot of fun. It’s just great. I enjoy it, I love to give back. I might have to come again another year.”

In the championship, Rivera led the Bucks with 27 points in front of Colwick’s 16. Both Zielenski brothers dropped 10. On the Suns, Lefkowitz scored a team-high 20 while Swift had 16. Josh Bonefant scored 14 as Jake Bonefant had 12.

Coach Smith Runs It Back With Seniors

There were plenty of reasons Smith decided to return to SYBA despite his son’s graduation. For starters, he saw the kind of team the Bucks would have this season. Between their defense and grit, a second championship was a very realistic goal.

“That’s why we’re here,” Smith said. “We have a good defense and they just don’t let up. I have a lot of confidence with this team. Teams are going to have spurts all the time, but we don’t let up. We go right down to the buzzer. That’s what we did today.”

Beyond their traits on the basketball court though, Smith understood the character of the players he would be coaching. Many of them seniors, it would be their last opportunity to compete in SYBA. When those players asked him to come back, Smith’s Bucks decision was sealed.

“That’s one of the reasons I came back,” Smith said of the seniors. “These kids are awesome. They asked me if I would come back. I’m so grateful to have come back and coached these kids, they’re a bunch of great young men. The same guys on the team this year, I’m looking forward to maybe doing it again next year.”

Helping lead this year’s senior class is Rivera, who won SYBA Championship Game MVP with his game-high 27 points. Now in his second year in the league, he doesn’t know what it’s like to not win a championship. But when it comes to any title, be it champion or MVP, Rivera is quick to credit his teammates.

“I couldn’t have done it without my team,” Rivera said. “Giving me the ball and them letting me hoop. I passed the ball around and they did their thing. Couldn’t have done it without them.”

As Rivera prepares to graduate from SYBA, he certainly won’t forget the championship runs. But at the same time, playing for the Bucks allowed him to connect further and gave the senior lifelong connections.

“It was fun, I was playing with all my friends,” Rivera said. “The competition was there. I had a good time with my team and made a lot of connections.”

Colwick, who played three years in the SYBA, shared Rivera’s sentiment towards fostering unforgettable friendships. But for the Bucks to reach the pinnacle of the league, Colwick will remember fully what it took to get there.

“Running suicides everyday, we didn’t want to,” Colwick said. “Two championships came out of that. Clearly it worked. Put max effort in every single play. Don’t give up.”

The Bucks’ 2025-26 roster featured seniors: Jackson Colwick, Jaxiel Rivera, Mitch Zielenski, Alec Xayvethy and Mason Nardi; juniors: August Reidinger and Joe Flanigan; sophomores: Ethan Herens and Jaxon Nardi; alongside freshmen: Bryce Zielenski, PJ Holland and Brodin Lord. Head coach Jim Smith was joined by assistant coach August Reidinger.

SYBA Award Winners

Before the championship game was played, SYBA handed out a number of awards. Alongside his Championship Game MVP, Rivera was named First-Team All-SYBA. He was joined by fellow seniors Connor Lentini (Bulls), Rocco Davino (Warriors) and Nate Owen (Nets), as well as junior Brayden D’Angelo (Knicks).

Davino, who averaged 20.9 points per game, was named MVP. Owen, who led the league with 23.8 PPG, took home Defensive Player of the Year. Lefkowitz made a big impact in his SYBA debut, averaging 15.5 PPG and earning Rookie of the Year. Sophomore Eli Lord became an irreplaceable asset and leader of the Pistons, averaging 11.4 PPG and winning Comeback Player of the Year.

Owen played all four years eligible in SYBA. His rise to DPOY came in part due to the Nets’ 2-3 zone defense and his role in the middle of it. Overall though, Owen saw his game improve immensely through his time on the Nets.

“I definitely feel like I got a lot better over the past four years,” Owen said. “I started off not really scoring too much. I found my rhythm, started making shots and started connecting. My team worked their hardest. This year was our best year by far.”

Lord just finished up his second year in the league. After not getting the ball much as a freshman, the sophomore facilitated the offense and was the top scoring option on his squad. Once he understood what SYBA was all about, Lord knew he would need to put in the work to truly compete.

“It has been a lot different,” Lord said. “First year I didn’t get a lot of playing time. Now I’ve got a lot more opportunities on the court. I took more shots. I knew that I’d be bringing the ball down the floor a lot. I put in some extra work outside of the games.”

As he continues forward, Lord is hoping to add more awards to his trophy case. He has his eyes set on DPOY in 2027. For anyone preparing to join him in SYBA, the reigning Comeback Player of the Year has offered some advice.

“Be aggressive. These guys are pretty big, a lot are seniors,” Lord said. “Trust your teammates. It’s a rec league, have fun.”

Owen will be able to give Lord some tips on what it takes to win DPOY. He recommends having your hands up, knowing when to jump and not overfouling. Over his four years, the senior has become a staple in SYBA. He knows stepping on the court with confidence is key. As is not taking any playing time for granted.

“Expect to want to play the whole time. If you don’t want to play you aren’t going to get in as much,” Owen said. “Expect to move the ball around. Work hard, enjoy your four years, it’ll go by fast.”

SYBA Continues Growing

SYBA had a total of 150 players over 12 teams during the 2025-2026 season. Coach Smith isn’t surprised. He credits the league’s leadership in president Mike DeFeo and co-directors Rosenberg and Andy Levin. Smith still isn’t sure if he’ll be back next season. But his opinion of the SYBA experience won’t change.

“It’s a great league. Andy, Al, Mike run a great league,” Smith said. “I’ve enjoyed it, they’ve treated me great. The players have a great time. It’s a great league to play in.”

Levin has firsthand experience as a player, coach and director in SYBA. That background helped shape his decision to remain involved in the league. As he watched the championship game, and the entire 2025-26 season unfold, he was reminded of what drew him to SYBA in the first place.

“I remember what it was like when it was my first year in the league,” Levin said. “I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. But every team was welcoming to every player. Teammates of mine who I barely knew became friends of mine that I still have to this day. The teamwork in all the team’s games was something that grew over the season. The championship game was a perfect example of how every player played a role in the team’s success.”

“Al, Mike and myself try to give the kids a league that will leave them with many great memories, like it did in my time as a player,” he continued. “Playing ball with friends is a part of many kid’s childhoods, but the energy SYBA brings on is like no other. Can’t beat it.”

Levin appreciates how SYBA welcomes players from all backgrounds, no matter their basketball experience. As does Rosenberg, who has dedicated 40 years to watching the league thrive. He was rewarded with an unforgettable championship game. It’s moments like those that have kept Rosenberg committed to helping SYBA reach the greatest heights possible.

“The kids, it’s all about the kids,” Rosenberg said. “It’s a great league, it’s the largest in the state. The excitement of a game like tonight, throughout the whole season. It’s a great program.”

Blue Knights Wrestling Battles Injuries, Finishes near Top of Podium

The Blue Knights Wrestling Team SHS BLUE KNIGHTS INSTAGRAM

There’s nothing easy about being a high school wrestler. Southington head coach Derek Dion says that his wrestlers are the hardest working athletes in the entire school. Certain expectations come with donning the Blue Knights logo on your singlet, and dedication is chief among them.

“If you’re a wrestler, you have to work really, really hard just to be a bad one,” Dion said. “The amount of work to be a great wrestler is incomprehensible to most high school athletes. Even the worst kid on the team works harder than a kid on any other team in the school. I’ll stand by that statement all day long.”

Southington entered the season with high expectations, and the Blue Knights never stopped grinding. Unfortunately, the injury bug put a crimp in the team’s plans. Two wrestlers suffered season-ending injuries before the year even began. Southington was missing at least four wrestlers from their lineup in every meet of the campaign.

Dion admits it has been tough trying to get through the season with so many out. The Blue Knights had many wrestlers step up when their name was called. But the absences altered how Southington was able to compete.

“We were really excited for the season. We had a lot of really good wrestlers coming back. We were excited about our prospects,” Dion said. “I think we could’ve won every tournament we went to, won every match and won the state tournament. But we haven’t been able to put the full lineup out there. It was a challenge, with disappointments along the way. We’ve had a lot of guys step into the lineup and wrestle well. What we needed was to all get healthy at the same time.”

Healthy or not, the Blue Knights still needed to train hard. The head coach calls wrestling, “the highest level of fitness.” Dion and company must put in the work as well, making sure every competitor’s determination is matched by their technique. The Blue Knights are forged in these high-intensity sessions. Their reward is a pool of sweat – and an ocean of pride.

“It is a lot,” Dion said. “Wrestling isn’t a sport kids necessarily watch on TV. They don’t see it or just learn it from their parents. They have to put in the work. We have to teach them everything from how to stand to every single move, every position. There’s a lot of teaching that’s involved. You have to have a high amount of stamina and physicality. You could get hurt. When kids get tired, that’s when they get hurt.”

“These kids are working from the second we get into practice,” he continued. “They’re wrestling in a pool of sweat all day. It is grinding, it is difficult. But the kids will do it. They’ll grow strong enough to take on anything the rest of their lives. To me, it’s the best sport there is.”

 

Southington Finishes Top 5 at CCCs, States

During the regular season, Southington competes in dual meets on Wednesdays and in large scale tournaments on the weekends. The weekend events are modeled on the state tournament, to keep wrestlers prepared for when their postseason moment comes.

The Blue Knights went 10-3 during their dual meet season. They fell short of their goal of being undefeated, but Dion treated each loss as an opportunity to teach the team a new lesson. Their weekend tournaments served as another way to prepare. At each match, the team did everything in its power to improve.

When the Central Connecticut Conference Tournament started, Dion didn’t want the Blue Knights to be distracted by the bright lights. “It’s just another tournament,” he remarked. Even with injuries, Southington was prepared to battle to the best of their abilities.

Once the dust settled, the Blue Knights finished fourth out of 28 teams with a score of 162. Senior Jake Rivera won the 157-pound division with a technical fall (20-2). Junior Ajay Ayyala was the runner-up at 113 pounds.

Senior Chiemeka Ogubuagu took home third place in the 150, while fellow seniors Jake Lowe and Derek Rodriguez finished fourth in the 120 and 126 pound classes respectively. Sophomore Nick Drury finished fifth at 190.

Southington entered the year expecting a higher podium finish. But Dion didn’t come away from CCCs with only disappointment. Given how the Blue Knights competed, some positives became clear.

“I was excited for the team and each individual kid. If you’re missing four guys that’s frustrating, but that means 10 guys are doing well. You’ve got to look at the positives,” Dion said. “We’ve had a pretty successful team over the years. If I come in there and I’m whining about missing kids, the other coaches aren’t really feeling all that bad for me,” he joked. “There’s a lot of positives. It’s frustrating because I know how good these kids could be if we could get them all out there. This year has been a lot of shoulda, coulda, woulda.”

Once the Class LL State Tournament arrived, Dion and company knew what was at stake. All of the team’s effort has been directed towards this moment. It was time to see what Southington could do.

“I think we can compete at a high level,” Dion said before the tournament started. “We’re backing off the really hard wrestling in the room right now. Trying to get their bodies to feel a bit better. We’re hoping that we can go in there with a little bit more of health. With all the work the kids did this year, they can go in and find out what they can do, and try to get on the podium.”

“Really what you’re doing this for is to give the kids an opportunity to place really high at States and meet their own individual goals,” he continued. “I’m hoping that we’re putting enough kids in a position to do that, so they can be proud of themselves for doing their best.”

And doing their best is what happened at the State Tournament. Rivera again won the 157 pound division with a 6-0 decision. Rodriguez finished second in the 126 as Ogbuagu placed third in the 150 class. Lowe finished fourth in the 120, while senior Nate Karelus and freshman Brandon Campbell placed fifth in the 113 and 106 classes, respectively. Overall, Southington finished third out of 25 teams with a score of 173.

Seniors Lead the Fight

As they made their run through the postseason, Southington was led by their four senior captains Rivera, Ogbuagu, Lowe and Rodriguez. All have seen the program grow over their four years. That experience helped them pave the way for the next group of Blue Knight wrestlers.

“They’re all four-year wrestlers, varsity kids. They all bring their experience every day,” Dion said. “They work hard in practice, they set examples. They’re great kids to be around, they have great personalities. They’re hardworking kids. Those are the easy kids, the fun kids to coach. There’s never any behavioral problems. They’ve made it really fun.”

Rivera and Ogbaugu both earned their 100th career wins at the Class LL State Tournament. Lowe and Rodriguez each placed in both postseason tournaments and have formed a potent unit alongside their fellow seniors. That success has come from years of effort, which Dion has seen throughout the team.

Injuries meant that not everyone on the squad was able to compete. Still, each wrestler showed up every day willing to put in the work. Everyone battled together, and worked towards becoming the best wrestlers they could be.

“Even the kids who aren’t in the lineup, I think how proud I am for them to show up everyday and work as hard as they can knowing they won’t have their chance for glory,” Dion said. “That says a lot about their high character. We have five or six seniors who spent the year knowing they weren’t going to make the lineup. We have some highly skilled kids. They came and worked hard every day.”

The Southington High School wrestling team features seniors: Chiemeka Ogbuagu, Derek Rodriguez, Eric Ludden, Gavin Martin, Jake Lowe, Jake Rivera, Kevin Ajce, Michael Czarkosky, Nathan Karelus, Paul Cavanaugh, Rosco Cook, Ryan Dos Santos, Tyler Lamontage, William Pemberton and Darian Rivera; juniors: Ajay Ayyala, Ayden Karpen and Dareius Wright; sophomores: Darys Chekir, Dylan Gajewski, Eli Weisz, Elijah Ragin, Esti Elezi, Gursimar Sahani, Nicolas Drury, Peter Teslik, Trevor Hall, Tyler Paolino, Ulysses Arellano and Matthew Spalter; alongside freshmen: Austin Martella, Ayden Vasquez, Brandon Campbell, Elian Haddadi, Jayvien Fonseca, Jeremy Nelson, Jessie Bartone, Kurt Rucker, Owen Guida, Shiloh Barrett-Janik and Zoey Mendes. Dion is joined by assistant coaches Brian Zaccagnino and Kevin Seeger.

Dion Looks Towards Future

With so many seniors on the roster, the Blue Knights are sure to look different the next time they step onto the mats. Dion will be hoping for a much healthier season. But what won’t change is the effort every wrestler must put in each day.

The goal is succeeding at the state tournament. But Dion knows wrestling provides much more than that. With every bead of sweat that drops, he hopes the wrestler understands the deeper meaning of that effort.

“It’s a lot of work. But it’s work that will define them,” Dion said. “The hard work they put in becomes a sense of pride. They know they’re working harder than anyone else in the school. They walk out of there with a feeling that they can do anything.”

“The best thing wrestling can give you is the person you become as a result of it,” he continued. “That’s our mantra. We get out there and work. They’re forged in fire. They come out of there ready to take on the world.”

After coaching for 35 years, Dion has seen it all on the wrestling mat. As for this year’s squad, he won’t forget all the seniors who made a difference, or the bond they fostered over four years together. This year’s team continued to set a high bar for Southington wrestling. Dion is now excited to see if next year’s team can top it.

“Every year is special. It’s the relationships that kids have with each other, the relationships you build with the kids and their parents. Every team that has come through has been special in one way or the other,” Dion said. “This year has seen more seniors than I’ve had in most of my years coaching. When you spend four years with these kids, you develop a pretty good bond. It’s hard to see the kids go. There will be a lot of kids here that we’ll miss. It’s the cycle. Every year we think, ‘What are we going to do without these guys?’ Then next year, other guys step up. Each class is pretty special in its own way.”