Matt Loew pins his opponent. The GC Grappler Tournament Team is now in full swing. Coached by Paul Gillespie the team practices 3x per week with various County, State and National Champions coming into the room to help out. The team has wrestled victoriously in New Jersey, Maryland, and Staten Island. The Grapplers are led by 8th graders Vincent Chiodo, Danny Lofrese, John Wittman and Michael Zingalli, who have all placed in tournaments, the team has had some tough competition, but looks to use this to prepare for the upcoming New York State Tournament. 7th Graders Jared Mitchell, Glen McKenna, Michael Jones, and Matt Loew, have won some tough matches in preparation for their upcoming middle school season. 6th graders Joe Barbato, Brian Coleman, Michael Mahramas, John Daddino and Michael Massaro, are the heart of our Tournament Team, competing not only at the upper level but also on the kiddie level on Long Island. In 5th grade we have Michael Lofrese, Chris Loew and Dylan Mercante who have done a tremendous job in scoring points for the team and who will wrestle all comers. 4th graders Matt Schmelzinger and Danny Jones are pound for pound probably the toughest kids on our team, they work hard at practice which shows in their stellar performances. In 3rd grade we have Timmy Halaby, and Danny Simmons, these two are key to our dual meet victories. Rounding off our team are our 1st and 2nd graders, Timmy Schmelzinger, John Simmons, and James Sullivan. These 3 boys have had more victories than anyone else on the team, just a sampling of what’s to come in the future for the Grapplers.

John Wittman in control. This Saturday the tournament team is competing in a double-dual meet at 12:30 p.m. in the new Hofstra University Arena. Tickets are $3 and include admission to the Hofstra-Army match that day. To come and watch the team call 358-2809 to purchase tickets.