Berlin Wrestlers Finish Successful Season At Open

The Berlin wrestling team finished off a successful season with one of its wrestlers placing sixth at the State Open. Jake Eliades was able to take home sixth place honors at 145 pounds at the Open.

In the Class M tournament, the team was without several starters but still managed to finish sixth. Ledyard was first followed by Foran, New Fairfield, Avon, Branford and Berlin. Missing from the line-up during the state tournament was senior Rick Mullins at 160 pounds. He rolled up a 27-1 record and would have been the favorite in his weight class. He suffered an injury to his elbow. Also missing was senior Jordan Zima. Both were place winners in the 2011-2012 state tournament and would have delivered big points for the Redcoats.

Eliades at 145 pounds was Berlin's top finisher at the Class M meet, coming in second by a tough decision to Jimmy Murphy of Avon in the championship bout. He had pinned Murphy earlier in the year.

At 106, Riley Greider defeated Samantha Rebentisc of Jonathan Law, 9-0 to secure fifth place.

At 120, Marlon Argueta of Platt defeated Ethan Grieder of Berlin, 7-0, and Grieder placed fourth.

Jeremy Eliades also finished fifth at the Class M Tournament at 126 pounds defeating Mike Commander of New London with a pin to take fifth.

Rich Schlichting of Berlin defeated Noah Criscuolo of Guilford, 16-2 to come in fifth at 132 pounds. 

At 285 pounds, Berlin's Mike Burek def. Kevin Mcdonald of Ledyard, 7-4, to finish fifth.

"We gained a lot of experience on Saturday," Berlin coach Jim Day said. "Six of the seven wrestlers we sent to the State Open will be returning next year. I think they all gained a stronger perspective on what it will take for them to place and qualify for the New Englands next year. Jake Eliades gained sixth place at 145 lbs. He had a number of quality wins on the day."

"It is always a strange day because the season's end is so sudden and as a coach you never feel you have the right words to thank your wrestlers for their efforts during the season. We didn't reach all our goals this season but it was not due to a lack of effort on the part of our wrestlers, I know the coaching staff is very proud of our team and can't wait for next year."