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Grapplers At NY State Championship
17 Grapplers, aged 8 through 13, and their families made the journey Friday afternoon March 9th, arriving in Port Jervis for the wrestlers' mandatory Weigh-In in their respective age brackets: "Midget," born 1997-98; "Novice," born 1995-96; and "Schoolboy," born 1993-94. Weight brackets are in 5-lb increments. Most of the brackets were jammed-packed, many with 19 and even 25 boys in them, all vying for a "Place" finish. (To "place," a wrestler has to finish 1st through 6th in his age division and weight bracket.) The odds for victory were tough from the get-go.
EVERY Grappler really gave it his all and wrestled his heart out, and every one enjoyed at least 1 victory each before getting eliminated from the top 6 in their brackets. They will always take pride in, and savor the sweetness of, their individual victories: John Simmons, 60 lb Midget: 2 wins; Andrew Wood, 60-lb. Midget: 2 wins, Lex Pinkiert, 70-lb. Midget: 2 wins; Thomas Reina and Matt Jarvis, 70-lb. Novice: 1 win each; Danny Simmons and Quinn Knauer, 80-lb. Novice: 1 win each; Louie Hernandez, 85-lb. Novice: 1 win; Tom Cozier, 70-lb. Schoolboy: 1 win; Matty Schmelzinger, 95 lb. Schoolboy: 2 wins; Brendan Bishop, 105 lb. Schoolboy: 3 wins.
Thank you to our outstanding coaches, Paul Gillespie and Jon Masa; the boys owe so much to you! Many thanks to Kathy Lofrese, whose behind-the-scenes administrative and managerial work made it all happen! Kathy, we could not have done it without you! Our volunteer dad coaches, providing mat-side coaching and encouragement, give our boys extra confidence out there: Ron Lofrese, Rob Jarvis; Larry Schmelzinger, Rich Sullivan, Steve Pinkiert. Thanks, guys! Finally, a BIG thank you to our sponsor Donnelly Mechanical, who provides the boys with T-shirts, shorts, and those cool personalized hoody sweatshirts! The Grapplers wear them with pride. Thanks!
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