Grapplers: The Bosses of Bethpage!

Lex Pinkiert holds the headlock and shows this opponent who's boss!

The Grapplers continued to show that they're the BOSS of Nassau County Youth Wrestling with another great showing at the Bethpage PAL Invitational last Sunday, Feb.11th. Only 14 Grapplers - 7 third/fourth grade Midgets and 7 fifth/sixth grade Novices - went to this tournament, but all won medals once again.

James Sullivan is undoubtedly the most feared 4th grader at these tournaments; he took 1st Place AGAIN in his bracket, this time pinning in all 3 of his matches! (James doesn't "play well with others." They're not going to invite him over anymore!)

Lex Pinkiert worked the hardest this day and won his well-deserved Gold in an exhausting sudden death O.T. match, winning 12-10.

3rd graders John Simmons and Timmy Schmelzinger kept up their habits of obliterating their opponents as each took Silver in their respective brackets. Michael Goulard was on fire as he smoked a few boys to earn himself Silver as well. The Wood brothers continue to give everyone a tough fight, as Andrew took 3rd in his bracket and Alex got 4th in his.

Quinn Knauer clamps down on this poor guy and earns back points.

The 5th and 6th grade Novices showed up and took over bossing everyone around. What can you say about Matty Schmelzinger?! He dishes out more losses than the Middle School cafeteria dishes out mashed potatoes! Undefeated, Matty added more Gold to his collection, and his parents fear his shelf at home will collapse from the weight!

Louie Hernandez has become so awesome! He goes for the jugular and doesn't let go until he wins his match, which he did 3 times to grab the Gold in his group

The Reina twins, Jack and Thomas, were better than the others in their bracket again, and again wound up having to wrestle each other for 1st Place; this time Jack won the Gold and Thomas took Silver.

Three Grapplers were unfortunately in the same bracket, which means they have to wrestle each other and they all can't win. Quinn Knauer aced all of his matches to win Gold; Eddie Gillespie got Silver, and Tom Cozier took Bronze.

The Grapplers travel to Suffern, NY on Saturday Feb. 24th to take on stiffer competition out in the "boonies" (where they learn to wrestle by wrestling cows . . . just kidding.) GO GRAPPLERS!

He may look cute, but Andrew Wood attacks like a brute! Eddie Gillespie is NOT about to punch this boy! That's against the rules. (But there's no rule against total domination of one's opponent!) Lou Hernandez is unrelenting as he dominates his opponents with strength and moves.