Five Canton wrestlers qualify for State Open; Lang is 2nd in Class S

Canton’s Skylar Lang, left.

HIGGNAUM, Feb. 16 – Five Canton High wrestlers will be competing in the State Open tournament this weekend after finishing in the top six of their respective weight classes at the Class S tournament on Saturday. The five medalists helped Canton finish ninth in the tournament field of over 30 teams. 

Junior Skylar Lang (220) finished second while senior Ben Corbett (160) was fourth. Seniors Chris VandeBogart (152) and Chris Mutch (195) each finished fifth while junior Dylan Houle (170) was sixth. 

“We got off to a slow start in the tournament. We were a bit flat,” Canton’s second-year coach Josh Kaplan said. “We had only six guys come back (Saturday). But those guys really rallied (today).” 

Lang (28-2) won three straight bouts including a 7-2 decision over No. 6 Adam Patsun of Somers in the semifinals to earn a spot in the finals. “(Skylar) has had a great year,” Kaplan said. “He’s gotten a lot more aggressive, particularly on his feet. He has been pretty tough on top.” 

Lang’s first loss of the season was to Windham High’s Nick Poulin, the defending Class M champion and his opponent in the championship match. However, Poulin was able to catch Lang in a move, threw him to his back and pinned him in 37 seconds. 

Corbett (31-9) finished fourth at 160 pounds. He advanced as far as the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Kharmi Thomas of Windsor Locks, 10-3. In the consolation bracket, Corbett prevailed in a hard-fought 2-1 win over Montville’s Jacob Schmalz to earn a spot in the consolation final. But Plainville’s Mischa Hoffman beat Corbett, 8-4. 

Mutch (23-11) had two pins in the consolation bracket as he finished fifth. VandeBogart (18-10) had a pair of one-point decisions in the consolation bracket to remain alive in the tournament. After dropping his first match of the tournament, Houle (22-11) won three straight matches in the consolation bracket with two pins. 

It was Canton’s best finish in Class S since finishing 10th in 2010. Lang was the first Warrior finalist since Nate Getler won a state title in 2011.

The State Open wrestling championships begin Friday at the Floyd Little Athletic Center at Hillhouse High in New Haven at 4:30 p.m. Wrestling continues on Saturday, concluding with the finals at 7 p.m.

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