Newtown Youth Wrestling Association showcased the strength of youth sports and community spirit as it hosted its 8th Annual Nighthawk Classic wrestling tournament, drawing close to 500 wrestlers from six different states, on December 21.

Held at Newtown High School, the event transformed the gymnasium into a sea of singlets, score tables, and cheering families. Wrestlers ranging from first-year competitors to seasoned youth standouts took to the mats in a fast-paced day of competition that highlighted both skill and sportsmanship.

“We’re incredibly proud of how smoothly the tournament ran and how many quality matches we were able to offer the kids,” President of Newtown Youth Wrestling Association Kyle Ibbitson said. “Bringing together wrestlers from across the region gives our athletes a chance to test themselves, make new friends, and grow in the sport.”

Tournament Director Matt Iacuone reported that more than 850 matches were completed in less than eight hours, a testament to the efficiency of the event staff and volunteers. Multiple mats ran continuously throughout the day as coaches, referees, and table workers kept the action moving with precision.

“It truly takes an army,” Iacuone said. “All the help we get from all of our coaches and families throughout our organization is unmatched.”

Recognized as the largest youth town wrestling program in New England by USA Wrestling, Newtown had 100 wrestlers at the event, of which 63% placed in the top three. Newtown is especially proud of their girls’ program, which has doubled from last year and has close to 20 competitors.

The Nighthawk Classic has grown steadily since its inception, and this year’s turnout underscores its reputation as a well-run, highly competitive youth wrestling event. Drawing competitors from five states, the tournament not only provided valuable experience for local wrestlers but also shined a spotlight on Newtown as a hub for youth athletics.

For Newtown Youth Wrestling Association, the tournament is more than just a day of competition; it is also a major community effort. Dozens of volunteers helped with setup, concessions, registration, and cleanup, ensuring that visiting teams and families felt welcome.

Head Coach Curtis Urbina and Coach Mike Long mentioned the praise they received from other programs after another successful tournament.

“This is all made possible by the hard work and dedication of so many. This event continues to set the bar high for our program, and we’re proud to consistently deliver a high-quality, intense tournament worthy of our region,” Urbina said. “At the end of the day, the real winners are the kids — and this incredible community that shows up, supports, and believes in them every step of the way. It’s great tournaments like this that allow our wrestlers to improve going forward and chase our goals.”

“This event really shows what Newtown can do when we come together,” Ibbitson added. “From the wrestlers on the mat to the volunteers behind the scenes, everyone played a part in making the Nighthawk Classic a success.”

As the final whistles sounded and the last medals were handed out, organizers were already looking ahead to next year, hoping to build on the momentum of this year’s record-setting turnout and continue to grow the Nighthawk Classic as one of the premier youth wrestling tournaments in the state of Connecticut.

Top Newtown results from the tourney are as follows:

First place: Kamden Kling, Reece Belden, Ashton Sciarra, Declan Cavanagh, Everett Worster, Liam Enright, Zachary Burwick, Carson Edwards, Evan Emard, Hugo Borgerding, Skyler Nieves, Alex Jaquez, Joey Bartolic, Marco Figueiredo, Matt Iacuone, Allen Gaudenzi, Camron Veneziano, Ethan Kearney, Jane Anderson, and Silas Houston.

Second place: Eleanor Emard, Grey Nelson, Natalie Leonard, William Laake, Axel Pulver, Beckham Ritacco, Clark Anderson, Eli Fox, Michael Laake, Lillian Gantert, Alex Carrozza, James Gantert, Andrew Braunagel, Ben Weintraub, Cameron Mathison, Emmie Ibbitson, Chase Ibbitson, Cole Salce, and Max Reynolds.

Third place: Liam Edwards, Sam Van Scotter, Colton Girgenti, Donnie Scaglione, Gavin Silva, Grant Van Scotter, Riley Plante, William Stetson, Callum Carl, Joey Guagliano, Liam Fitzgerald, Lucas Nunes, Nico Figueiredo, Catalina Maldonado, Evie Gantert, Luke Anderson, Mason Petrides, Emily Greene, Blake Deloge, Brooke Fattibene, Drake Oatis, Greg Troiano, Kaleb Quiles, and Nick Morelli.

Newtown Youth Wrestling Association’s many medal winners from the Nighthawk Classic. —photo courtesy Tonya Borgerding

GIRARD — New faces will be working for the community as new members of city council and the board of education were sworn into office this week.

Girard Municipal Court Judge Jeff Adler swore in new and reelected council members and new members to the board of education.

Starting terms on council this month are Tod Latell and Wes Steiner as councilmen-at-Large and James Clark as 3rd Ward councilman.

On the board of education, new members are Zak Steiner and Scott Strain and elected to a new term after being appointed previously to fill an opening on the board is Tammy King.

TOD LATELL

Latell, who was elected to two terms as Trumbull County recorder from January 2017 to December 2024, said he will work with city officials and council to promote growth.

“I have been attending council meetings since the beginning of last year, and I believe we have some great opportunities to improve our downtown area and other locations across the city,” he said.

He said council members need to have a clear understanding of the budget.

“Our auditor and city officials have done well as the city appears to be in good financial standing. Transparency on the budget is paramount, as taxpayer money and available funds in general should be handled with care,” Latell said.

He said as county recorder, he ran a tight budget and left the recorder’s office in great shape.

“I believe when we have a strong school system, provide great police / fire and safety services in general, and residents feel city leadership is engaged and working for the benefit of all, success will happen,” Latell said.

WES STEINER

Wes Steiner was a first-time candidate for public office. He said as a surveyor with knowledge in zoning, he plans to bring a valuable skill set to city council to help improve the community.

He said zoning is essential to make sure that growth is well planned and remains sustainable for the future.

Steiner said there is a need for better signage in the downtown, with residents and visitors becoming more aware of the available parking space behind Chase Bank, as well as behind and across the street from the U.S. Post Office.

“Better signage will help improve accessibility and convenience for everyone,” he said.

He said he will work with Lake to River Economic Development to help bring businesses to the area, which will help generate additional tax revenue for the city.

Steiner said as Girard continues to evolve into a more transient community, he believes it is important to focus on mentoring and youth engagement. He has served in many positions working with youth sports and activities.

Steiner said he is committed to advocating for programs and policies that empower young people in the community.

JAMES CLARK

Clark said he comes from a family of civil servants, with his mother serving as city treasurer in East Liverpool and his grandmother serving as a councilwoman in East Palestine.

Clark said accountability in leadership will be a top priority. He said recent events in Girard, especially the problems with the school district’s finances, have shown how costly a lack of oversight can be.

“My top priority is to make sure those in leadership positions are accountable for their decisions and for how public money is handled,” Clark said.

He said as a casino executive, he often had to stand his ground, protect the best interests of the business and still convince high-level clients to choose them over the competition.

“I will bring that same approach to city council to protect residents and ensure their voices and tax dollars are safeguarded,” Clark said.

He said he will bring improvements into Girard by securing outside funding.

Clark said he will look at completing community improvement projects, and will seek grant programs and connect the right people to get projects done. He said he will see that Girard competes for funding dollars and for resources that can make a real difference in the community.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

King said after she was named to fill the board vacancy when longtime board member Diane Alejars stepped down she decided to run in the November election for a new four-year term.

King was selected from seven applicants who sought to fill the seat. King is a retired professor from Youngstown State University and holds a doctoral degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

She said previously she will use her experience in education and higher education to focus on the future of the Girard Local School District and ensure that the staff has the resources they need to educate the students.

Zak Steiner and Strain are both new to public office.

Steiner said he wants to start a “Listen and Learn” tour across the district, meeting directly with administrators, teachers, staff and students, and listening to what they need to be more successful.

He said he would also like to expand recognition and engagement at board meetings, and in addition to recognizing students each month, also recognize staff, alumni and school groups.

Steiner said he will stay in contact with and work with the Ohio House on any upcoming or proposed changes to property tax and school funding to ensure the district’s needs are represented.

Strain said he will focus on the safety and success of the students, and develop positive relationships with the teachers, administration and staff to foster growth and trust while maintaining transparency.

He said as a former Girard school resource officer and juvenile investigator for six years allowed for developing trusting relationships with students and staff.

Also sworn in for new terms were Reynald Paolone as Girard council president, Henry Sforza as treasurer, Lily Martuccio for council-at-large, and Keith Schubert, John Moliterno and Thomas Grumley as council ward members.

“Participation in golf and tennis programs contributes to the development of transferable life skills, including self-discipline, teamwork and problem-solving.”

DENVER, CO, January 02, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ — Fuel the Drive—the non-profit organization that expands access to golf and tennis for children from low-income families—seeks to substantially increase the number of kids it assists in the year ahead.

“We’ve made some ambitious New Year’s resolutions for our foundation,” states founder and president Terry Aikin. “Fuel the Drive has been able to help a lot of kids accelerate their personal growth and expand their opportunities, but we’re far from satisfied.

“This year,” Aikin continues, “we want to impact at least five times as many young people as we did in 2025.”

Giving kids access to more promising futures

Founded to remove financial barriers to youth sports participation, Fuel the Drive sponsors children’s introduction to golf and tennis by covering essential program costs.

Eligible participants receive funding for registration in local PGA Junior League and U.S. Tennis Association programs, along with training guidance and equipment.

“The kids’ involvement in these sports fuels their personal growth and helps them develop confidence, self-discipline and leadership,” says Aikin. “It’s so rewarding to watch these kids build their own personal strength and find out what it takes to succeed.

“As the kids develop their golf or tennis games and compete with other kids their age,” he adds, “they learn to lead, to believe in themselves and to create pathways to more successful futures.”

Equipping kids with the tools to succeed on and off the course and court

“Time and again,” notes Aikin, “we see that participation in golf and tennis programs contributes to the development of transferable life skills, including self-discipline, teamwork and problem-solving.

“Let me share just one of our many success stories,” he continues. “With Fuel the Drive’s assistance, Mavarro has played in the PGA Junior League program for the past three years. His father tells us that playing golf has helped Mavarro develop patience and confidence, and he’s earned an award for perseverance.

“What’s more,” adds Aikin, “Mavarro’s love for golf has translated into increased analytical skills that are helping him tackle challenges he faces in school and in life.”

Ambitious growth target aims to serve many more children

Fuel the Drive has introduced golf to more than 100 children during each of the past three years and has provided access to tennis programs for more than 500 children.

Building on this impact, the organization has set a goal to expand its golf programming to serve more than 500 young athletes in 2026.

“Cost remains one of the most significant barriers to participation in organized youth sports,” states Aikin. “By removing that obstacle, we enable children to engage in structured environments that promote self-confidence, perseverance and personal growth.”

Increasing outreach to enlist more donors

“Our donor base has been very generous, and their contributions have made our impact possible,” reports Aikin. “But we’re seeking to significantly grow that base in order to achieve our objectives for 2026. So we’ve just launched a new website and we’re expanding our digital outreach to engage partners and community stakeholders and bring more new donors into the fold.

“With the generous support of new and existing donors,” Aikin adds, “we can fuel the drive in a lot more kids so they can achieve a lot more.”

About Fuel the Drive

Fuel the Drive, headquartered in Denver, CO, was founded by Terry and Michelle Aikin as a way of paying forward the tremendous support and inspiration they received as they were growing up. The organization provides access to golf and tennis programs to children from underserved communities, using sport as a platform to build self-confidence, leadership and skills that support lifelong success. To learn more, visit Fuel the Drive.

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Happy New Year! 2026 is finally here!

I have to say that on many levels, the year in politics felt like a nightmarish fever dream. Donald Trump deciding to illegally rename the Kennedy Center after himself is not the worst thing that any president has ever done — it’s not even close — but on a level of sheer batshit insanity, it’s off the charts.

In a halfway functioning political system, I don’t even know what would happen if a president did that — because it just wouldn’t happen! Members of the president’s party would not put up with pure Mad King behavior. It’s not consequential, of course, in the way that cutting tons of people off from Medicaid is consequential. But then he also started a little war with Venezuela and launched some kind of Christmas bombing campaign in Nigeria, while also being so committed to world peace that he’s decided to just take Vladimir Putin’s word for it on Russian war aims. Also, FIFA believes that the president is seven years old, so they made up a fake peace prize to bestow on him, and he proudly accepted it.

Something I worry about a lot is that as Trump wears his ridiculousness and egomania on his sleeve, he invites people to believe that he is shallow and easily manipulated when he’s actually been ruthlessly successful across multiple fields of endeavor.

JD Vance seems a lot more put-together in a lot of ways, but he was also placed on the ticket specifically because Trump was disappointed that Mike Pence wouldn’t violate the constitution to help him steal an election, and Trump apparently feels that Vance is more reliable in this regard.

I try to maintain an action-oriented posture rather than indulging in dooming and stress and anxiety. But we succeeded in getting non-politics questions this week, so I just wanted to open by assuring everyone that I actually feel pretty stressed about the political situation and will continue to feel stressed as long as Republicans remain odds-on favorites to hold the Senate.

Now, your questions.

John E: If you could take any older show and update it with AI to make it look better (graphics/CGI/etc.), but keep everything else the same, what would it be?

My initial thought was Babylon 5 or something like that, but curious if you have any ideas that jump out at you?

The original Star Trek. It’s not even so much that the visual effects look bad (I believe they actually made a version with upgraded CGI that was released on Blu-ray), it’s that the makeup and costume stuff for the aliens is so crude and absurd. The Klingons as guys with Trump’s spray tan and weird beards is hard to watch. The Gorn as depicted in “The Arena” is absurd.

Andy: I’ll repeat my question about what changes you’d make to the NFL in terms of structure, rules, etc.

If football isn’t your thing, then as an alternative, expand the question to your thoughts about the general state of pro sports, whether you think pro sports are in a good or bad place, and what changes you might make if you were Ultimate Overlord of pro sports.

The NFL seems like they’re doing great, objectively, and don’t really need my advice. The main question facing the league is how aggressively to expand and whether to try really ambitious strategies like setting up a four-team division in Europe. From my personal standpoint, it was really exciting to watch the Commanders on their run last year and really disheartening to see things turn to shit this year — and it’s especially disheartening because the trajectory matches the RGIII boom and bust so closely.

Beyond football, though, my main observation about sports is that they are all being buffeted by the internet and the ubiquity of content in interesting ways.

When I first moved to DC, I made a clear choice to adopt the Wizards as my favorite basketball team. The Knicks were bad at the time and the Wizards, while not great, were decent and fun in the Gilbert Arenas Era. But beyond that, I just really liked basketball. A very large share of the games that were available to watch on television were Wizards games, so I watched a lot of Wizards games, and it’s more fun to watch a game if you have a rooting interest in it, so it’s fun to adopt your hometown team. Now, if we’d somehow had a Wizards-Knicks Eastern Conference Finals, would my loyalties have reverted? Maybe, but it didn’t come up.

Flash forward to 2025 and the Wizards are awful, the Knicks are good, and it’s also incredibly easy to watch Knicks games on streaming. So I’m following the Knicks very closely, which is great. And my son is also watching some Knicks games with me these past two seasons, which is delightful and a ton of fun. But this is a pattern that I see repeating in a lot of local families — dads maintaining their hometown sports allegiances and passing them on to their sons because it’s so easy to watch out of town games.

And this delocalization seems like a bit of a threat to the long-term model of sports.