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| Windham High freshman Ayden Cofone wrestles in the New Englands Championship competition in Providence, Rhode Island in early March. Cofone placed fifth in the event following in the footsteps of his father, Dom, and his uncle, Dan. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
The Cofone family is a wrestling family. Windham’s Ayden Cofone placed fifth at the New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championship, also known as New Englands, early last month and followed in the footsteps of his father, Dominic, who placed sixth in the same competition in 2001 and his uncle, Daniel, who placed fourth in 2004.
Wrestling has always been a sport the Cofones were interested in. Dominic Cofone signed up for Massabesic youth wrestling in the sixth grade and instantly fell in love with it.
Daniel Cofone looked up to his older brother and began wrestling because Dominic did so.
Ayden Cofone started wrestling in the first grade with his dad and uncle as role models. Dominic Cofone was Ayden’s assistant youth coach and helped him to progress.
In 2001, Dominic Cofone was undefeated in Maine, 35-0. He only lost once going into New Englands.
“Wrestling teaches you a work ethic like nothing else,” said Dominic Cofone. “It’s just you and your opponent out there on the mat and he wants to kick your butt in front of your friends and family. It’s all on the man in the mirror and the work that you put in.”
Windham/Westbrook/Gray-New Gloucester coach John Nicholas was on the coaching staff when Dominic was a sophomore. Nicholas could tell that Dominic Cofone had what it took and would eventually place at New Englands. He loved wrestling just like his brother and son do.
Daniel Cofone won the Regionals tournament in 2004 and then the first All-State tournament. He was the Class A state runner-up and an alternate for New Englands.
By a stroke of luck someone dropped out and Daniel Cofone was able to compete in New Englands. Coach Nicholas put together a small team, including Dominic Cofone to train Daniel, who worked very hard, to be ready for the championship match.
In preparing Ayden for the championship competition, both Dominic and Daniel Cofone told him to train hard and leave everything on the mat. Every match is a fight and will not come easy.
Ayden Cofone said he used their success to motivate him to be better than they were.
Maine sent 42 of their best wrestlers to New Englands and out of the 84 placement spots, only 11 kids from Maine placed, two of which were freshman: Ayden Cofone being the highest-placing freshman.
“It was amazing to see what [Ayden] accomplished,” said Dominic Cofone. “He wrestled the best he had all year when he needed it the most.”
Daniel Cofone said he felt great pride and joy to see Ayden Cofone continue the family success.
Dominic Cofone said his sixth-place finish and his brother’s fourth place finish took them until their senior years to accomplish. Ayden being able to do this so early in his high school career has already surpassed what both he and Daniel Cofone were capable of.
Ayden Cofone said it felt good to make it to New Englands and even better to do as well as he did. He was proud to follow in his dad and uncle’s footsteps.
Coach Nicholas said it has been a pleasure to coach a family so dedicated to the sport. He said Ayden Cofone was able handle the success this year and kept a level head. His success at New Englands will be beneficial to his career going forward.
“It gave him something to work for,” said Daniel Cofone. “Both his dad and I want him to be better than we were. This way, Dom and I won’t have to debate each other on who had a better high school wrestling career.” <
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