After finishing fourth in the CIAC State Open in 2010-11 and third in Class LL, the Bobcats knew they wouldn’t have as many elite wrestlers this winter. And although they didn’t place as high as a team in the championship meets, they did more than hold their own. South Windsor finished eighth in the State Open and fourth in Class LL.

South Windsor’s three best wrestlers advanced far in both meets and among them collected two weight-class championships, two runners-up, a fourth and a sixth.

In the regular season, in which they compiled a 15-3 dual meet record, the Bobcats lost their stranglehold on the CCC North Championship. After winning the title five years in a row, South Windsor tied Glastonbury in the division meet, each with 42 points, but the Tomahawks emerged victorious on the sixth tie-breaking criteria, whose wrestlers scored the first points of the match.

South Windsor junior Sam Odell, at 145 pounds, won the Class LL championship and the State Open. Junior Casey Mitchell was runner-up in Class LL at 152 pounds and finished fourth at the State Open. Sophomore Conor Caffrey was runner-up at 113 pounds in Class LL and sixth at the State Open. Each returns for 2012-13.

“All three had great years,” South Windsor coach Jude Knapp said. “Sam had struggled in the State Open the past two years, so it was good to see him have the win and get some success there.”

Boys Swimming & Diving

The Bobcats finished with a dual meet record of 4-3-1 in their second year competing as a team. “We had a much tougher schedule and saw some excellent teams,” coach Heather Lodge said. “This year we were strongest in our sophomore/junior class, and it looks like next year we will be just as strong. We are losing just three seniors.”

South Windsor placed second in the CCC North Championship meet, defeating Manchester, which beat the Bobcats head-to-head in the regular season. In the division championship meet, Tyler VanderVos won the 50- and 100-yard freestyles. Pat Savidge won the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle. Tori Russo placed fourth in diving.

Eight athletes qualified for the Class L championship meet on March 14 at Wesleyan. VanderVos qualified in the 50- and 100 freeestyles; Pat Savidge in the 200 IM and 500 freestyle; Derek McLean in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke; Tim Savidge in the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke; Connor Riley in the 200 IM and butterfly; Kyle Madalena in the butterfly. Russo and Geordan Nunes will be part of relay teams.

The Bobcasts were eighth of 21 teams in the 2010-11 Class L meet.

Gymnastics

Senior Christina Thomas-Walker improved throughout the season, coach Toni Langevin said, in all four events. “She did a fantastic job. I couldn’t ask for anything more from her,” Langevin said.

Sophomore Katie Noske turned in a season’s best in the vault at the Valentine’s Day Invitational in Plainville on Feb. 18. She scored an 8.05 and earned a 27.95 in the all-around (vault, bars, beam and floor exercise). Changing her routine directly resulted in the higher score, Langevin said.

Boys Indoor Track & Field

The Bobcats 4-by-800 meter relay of Michael Wicks, Ryan Karzar, Ryan Volker and Connor Gothe placed 12th at the CIAC Class LL championships on Feb. 13. Sam Kaczmarek placed fourth in the shot put with a personal best of 43-feet-10 inches, qualifying for the State Open.

Girls Indoor Track & Field

Mimi Otaluka won the long jump at the CCC Championships on Jan. 28 with an effort of 16-9. She placed seventh in the 55-meter dash. The Bobcats placed 13th among 25 schools. Otaluka (15-10 1/2) placed seventh in the Class L Championships in the long jump. She was sixth in the 55 meters as South Windsor finished 21st as a team.

Madie O’Brien cleared eight feet in the pole vault in Class LL, which tied the school record.