Wilcox moves up in class for sophomore season

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Naugatuck’s Logan Wilcox, left, is moving up in class for his sophomore season wrestling as a team of one. –CONTRIBUTED

NAUGATUCK — Last season was a learning experience for Naugatuck High sophomore Logan Wilcox, navigating his way through his first year of high school wrestling as a team of one with the Pomperaug team.

Pomperaug head coach Tony Ryan made sure he found opponents that would challenge Wilcox in every match to develop his skills. In his first match, Wilcox was outpointed 13-7. He earned his first victory with a pin of his opponent at the Pomperaug Invitational.

“I usually went against more experienced wrestlers that were older,” Wilcox said. “I worked hard at transitioning from move to move and it got smoother. My technique got better and I gained more confidence.”

Wilcox, who wrestled in the 152 pound class last year, posted a 6-9 record and qualified for the state tournament.

Wilcox, who honed his skills for six years in the Pomperaug-Oxford youth wrestling program, is looking to move up in the ranks this year. He worked hard in the offseason and is preparing to wrestle in the 170 pound class as a sophomore.

“I focused on my strength to bulk up so I could move up a class,” Wilcox said. “I’m looking forward to putting the lessons I learned last year to good use.”

Pomperaug begins the season Wednesday at Weston and will host the Pomperaug Invitational on Saturday.