Copes Outlasts Shelton Rival For First Class LL Championship

February 25, 2010 by Greg Lederer

Connecticut High School wrestling is a small world. Depending on conference affiliations and tournament choices, wrestlers can run into each other multiple times in the same season.
Cheshire High School senior Kyle Copes and Shelton's Michael Frizinia have developed one of these rivalries at 171 pounds. Fortunately for Copes, he has swept all four meetings this season. On Feb. 20, Copes outlasted Frizinia one more time to capture his first Class LL title at Shelton High School.
“It feels great to reach one of my goals for the season,” said Copes, who improved to 39-1 overall.
Just one week earlier, he defeated Frizinia (9-4) for his first Southern Connecticut Conference crown. However, this match between top seeds took a different turn. Copes used his quickness to build a 4-2 lead and then added five more points in the second period, building a 9-4 advantage again. Frizinia, who scored early on escape points, became more aggressive and fired two takedowns during the final period. The second takedown cut the deficit to 10-9, however, Copes escaped for the decisive point.
“My mind was racing. I lost track of the score for a little,” explained Copes. “Every time you wrestle, you learn something about the opponent. I only use a few moves, so he picked up on them.”
In a strategic move, he backed away from Frizinia in the final five seconds.
“I knew I was up by two points and didn't want to give him a chance to get a takedown. He would only get one point for stalling,” added Copes, who holds the school record for career wins (139).
Copes opened the tournament with pins of Ariam Rivera (Warren Harding) and Michael Giunta (Staples) on Feb. 19, adding a 12-5 victory over Glastonbury's Nicholas Puchalsky a day later. A captain with classmates Jake Reid and Matt Topitzer, Copes was the 2009 runner-up at 160 pounds.
“It's a great accomplishment for Kyle. He came so close last year,” said Cheshire Head Coach Don Miller.
Junior Jed Cervero, wrestling as the top seed at 125 pounds, mirrored his teammate's march to the final bout. Cervero also pinned Fairfield Prep's Johnny Pham and Trumbull's David Barbar. He shut out Brandon Lopez (South Windsor) 5-0 to reach the finals against Danbury's John Damici.
But, for the second straight season, he came up just short to a Danbury wrestler. Damici used a reversal to break a 2-2 tie with 25 seconds remaining and defeat Cervero, 4-2. The victory helped Danbury capture their 14th consecutive title (209.5 points)
“I just made a mistake on top,” reflected Cervero. “Those are major and can decide a match.”
Cervero struck first with a takedown, but Damici reversed him for a 2-2 tie at the end of the first period. Neither wrestler scored again until the final minute. Each of the first five finals were decided by four points or less.
“There are things that he did very well. He was aggressive and got the first takedown,” stated Miller. “Jed was working for points at the end and the kid countered it well.”
Cervero placed second to Danbury's Brian Jennings last year, but he made history one week later at the New Haven Athletic Center. Cheshire had never had a State Open finalist before Cervero faced Jennings again at 112 pounds. Jennings won the match (6-4) in overtime.
“It makes me even more determined to get back there,” added Cervero.
After dropping his Class LL opener, Reid (ninth seed) compiled a strong showing at 215 pounds. He posted wins over Henry Betar (Staples, pin), Joseph McGuire (Greenwich, pin), and Mike Blanco (Westhill, 20-4). His push through the consolation bracket ended against Xavier's Brian Hancock, who pinned him and proceeded to finish third.
“Jake Reid came in as a ninth seed and talked about wanting to place here,” said Miller. “He wrestled his butt off and finished sixth.”
Topitzer (160 pounds) and junior Andrew Rodgers (135 pounds) both added two victories. Cheshire placed 13th overall with 79.5 points. Reid, Topitzer, Nate St. Marin, and Jason Tapp wrapped up their senior seasons.
Copes (third seed) and Cervero (fifth seed) will make their third consecutive trip to State Open, to be held Friday and Saturday at the New Haven Athletic Center. A concussion forced Copes to drop out of his second match last season.
“I'm very excited. I know I have to work a lot harder on my conditioning this week,” reflected Copes.