Shelton junior Patrick Gillen is the 215-pound New England Wrestling champion.
Gillen claimed the title at 215 with a 7 – 0 decision over Steve Collins of Reading, Mass. on Saturday night.
“I wrestled my match, I didn’t allow him to get any opportunities — and I took advantage of my opportunities,” Gillen said.
Gillen dominated the match from the start. He had three take downs — one in each period — and an escape in the victory.
The Shelton captain began the tournament by pinning Riley Simoneau of North Country, Vt. in 35 seconds on Friday night.
After beating Simoneau, Gillen faced the top-seed of the tournament, Andrew Companeschi, a senior at Shawsheen Technical School in Lexington, Mass.
Despite being an underdog, Gillen was undeterred and defeated Companeschi, 5 – 0.
“I didn’t feel like I was the underdog,” Gillen said. “I wrestled my match and took advantage of my opportunities.”
Following Gillen’s win, Gaels coach Bill Maloney could taste victory.
“I had a good feeling after that,” Maloney said.
In the semifinals, Gillen won a 9 – 0 decision over Steve Dwight of Manchester Memorial, N.H.
Working hard in practice before the meet helped him win it. Being focused also helped him.
“I had college kids work with me, which prepared me,” Gillen said. “I took it one match at a time I felt it was my tournament to win and I could beat anyone I faced if I wrestled the way I could.”
He was the only wrestler in the tournament that didn’t allow a point and he was only the second wrestler from Connecticut to win it. The other Nutmeg state winner is from Danbury.
“Patrick had a great tournament and he never faced a serious challenge,” Maloney said. “In our mind, he was the most outstanding wrestler of the tournament. Anytime you don’t allow a point in the tournament shows dominance.”
With the tournament victory, Gillen finishes the season with a 48 – 0 record and now has a 147 – 12 overall record.
He won SCCs, Class LL and State Open and will be wrestling at Junior Nationals in two weeks.
“I just like to win,” Gillen said. “Today was a big spectacle and not as focused as States. I wrestled as hard as I could and I got it done. I’m looking forward to Nationals and I’ll wrestle hard to win.”
Derby’s O’Connor Enjoys Experience
Despite losing both of his matches, Derby’s Tyler O’Connor was pleased with his performance at State Open in the 130-pound weight class.
“I’m pretty happy with how I wrestled,” O’Connor said. “I faced great wrestlers and gained experience.”
O’Connor was pinned by Matt Shapiro of Longmeadow, Mass. in his first match in 1:25 and was pinned in 3:50 by Geoff Bullock of Pembroke, Mass. in his second match to finish with a career record of 94 – 37.
“It was an accomplishment for Tyler to make it to New Englands,” Red Raiders coach Walter Jadach said. “He wrestled to his ability but the competition was that good.”
He was the first Derby wrestler to make it to the New England Championships since David Stec did it in 2002. Although he won’t be wrestling for the Red Raiders next year, he may wrestle for Division III Springfield Tech. next year.
“My career at Derby was wonderful and I’ll miss wrestling for them,” O’Connor said. “I loved wrestling for Derby. Buster [Jadach’s nickname] is a great coach and he’ll lead a lot of kids to state championships.”
