Some of the "Schoolboy" and "Novice" Grapplers: (l-r) Danny Jones, Matt Schmelzinger, Nick Mattei, Connor Greene, Michael Lofrese, Matt Jarvis, Quinn Knauer, Brian Coleman, Danny Simmons, Joe Barbato, Dylan Mercante The Garden City Grapplers Youth Wrestling Tournament Team had a FANTASTIC showing this past Sunday, Jan. 29th at the Nassau County qualifying tournament for the New York State Championship. 22 Grapplers qualified, including 10 Gold Medal winners, 2 Silver winners, and a Bronze. To be eligible for the NY State Championship Tournament in Port Jervis on March 4-5, a wrestler had to place 1st through 6th in his age division and weight bracket.

NY State age divisions are: "Schoolboy," born 1992-93; "Novice," born 1994-95; "Midget," born 1996-97; and "Bantam," born 1998-99. Weight brackets are in 5-lb increments.

Schoolboy wrestlers Nick Mattei,100 lbs, and Brian Coleman, 95 lbs, each won Gold medals, defeating their competition seemingly with ease. Veteran wrestlers in the Schoolboy division Michael Lofrese, 85 lbs and Joe Barbato, 80 lbs, continue to dominate their Nassau County competitors, each taking home the Gold in their brackets for the 4th year in a row.

Timmy Schmelzinger and dad Larry after a fast win. Michael Massaro took 5th in 90 lbs, and Michael Jones, getting injured in the 1st round, defaulted to 6th place, but still qualified for the States.

Dylan Mercante was unrelenting and so exciting to watch as he put every ounce (and then some!) of strength and power into his bouts, winning 3 straight for the Gold in 65 lb Novice. Garden City dominated the Novice 70 lb bracket, with 2 Grapplers battling each other for 1st place. Danny Jones was outstanding and wrestled so fiercely, but was edged out by teammate Quinn Knauer in the 3rd period. Knauer got the Gold; Jones wears the Silver.

The Brothers Schmelzinger (a.k.a the "Pin Brothers") are always outstanding. Matt in 75 lb Novice and Timmy in 55 lb Bantam both won Gold by -- you guessed it -- pinning all of their opponents! The Simmons Brothers continue to offer up stiff competition for their opponents. Danny Simmons pulled off an amazing reversal ("How'd-he-do-that?") in the last period of his last match to pin his opponent, earning himself the Bronze in the 80 lb Novice division, and Johnny Simmons wrestled his you-know-what off and took home the Silver in 55 lb Midget.

Tom Reina gains control. No one even comes close to giving powerhouse James Sullivan a challenge anymore, as he also pinned all of his opponents in the 80 lb Midget division for the Gold. 75 lb Midget Louie Hernandez pounded his opponents, nabbing a 6th place finish. Eddie Gillespie plowed through his competition in 70 lb Midget, earning his Gold medal.

The GC Grapplers Tournament Team has several new-comers this year, who all wrestled like veterans to EARN SPOTS at the States!! 85 lb Novice Connor Green and brother Matt Green, 70 lb Midget, wrestled almost flawlessly and placed a very impressive 5th and 4th respectively. 65 lb Novice Matt Jarvis was awesome, and twin brothers Jack Reina and Tom Reina both wrestled fantastically in the 65 lb Midget bracket; all three proved they're a force to be reckoned with! Matt Jones, the 3rd Jones brother on the Team, is following in the footsteps of big brothers Michael and Danny. Matt did great in 60 lb Midget with some sweet victories over tough opponents.

Jack Reina pins his opponent! The GC Grapplers Tournament Team is a dedicated group of boys who are committed to excellence, practicing hard 3 times a week under the second-to-none coaching of Paul Gillespie. Kathy Lofrese does an outstanding job as manager and administrator. The Grapplers and their parents thank them for their commitment to the Team, as the boys prepare to compete in the NY State Championship!

Michael Lofrese sets up in the Referee's Position. Matt Greene sprawls to avoid a take-down. Matt Jones gets ready to move in. James Sullivan on his way to his 1st pin of the day!