Bristol Eastern senior wrestler Trinidad Gonzalez put the ultimate capper on the Connecticut portion of his career Saturday at the State Open.
Gonzalez, a three-time Class L state champion, captured his first State Open title at 220 pounds with a 2-1 decision over Shelton’s Ray Weiner. After the victory, Gonzalez jumped into the waiting arms of head coach Bryant Lishness for a celebratory hug.
Gonzalez had a first round bye at the Open, then pinned Simsbury’s Tommy Frank Guilfoyle in 3:11 in his first bout. Gonzalez pinned Jeff Cocchia of Brien McMahon (Norwalk) in 3:43 to reach the championship semifinal. In that semifinal, Gonzalez faced CCC foe Hugh Wells of Hall and took a 6-2 decision to set up the final against Weiner. Gonzalez heads to the New England meet, which is this coming Friday and Saturday in Providence, R.I.
Trent Thompson (106) and Tommy Nichols (132) will be joining Gonzalez in Providence after each finished third in their respective weight classes. Thompson took a 13-4 major decision over Joel Barlow’s Josh Brault in his third place bout at 106. Nichols claimed a 1-0 decision over Simsbury’s Saul Pera in the third place bout at 132.
Eastern finished fourth as a team behind winner Danbury, second place Xavier and third place Fairfield Warde.
Gallery
Here are my photos from Gonzalez’s championship bout.
