Grapplers Show Big at Freeport

The reason the Grapplers do so well is explained on the back of their shirts; Coaches Paul Gillespie and Jon Masa are 2 of the best around.

The Grapplers Youth Wrestling Tournament Team continues to show that they're a force to be reckoned with in another great showing at the Freeport Youth Tournament on Sunday, Jan. 20. There was an awful lot of pinning going on as all 16 Grapplers won medals once again - most of them GOLD.

The Reina brothers, 6th graders Thomas and Jack, each won Gold by pinning all of their opponents. The Halaby brothers, 6th grader Timmy and 8th grader James also earned Gold by pinning all around. Cousins James Sullivan, 5th grade, and Timmy Schmelzinger, 4th grade took home the heavy hardware (Gold) once again - James with a Tech and a pin, and Timmy with 2 pins. 7th grader Tom Cozier, with 2 pins, added a Gold to his growing medal collection.

6th grader Danny Jones, 7th grader Quinn Knauer, and 5th grader Lex Pinkiert won all their matches for Gold, including 1 pin each.

The Simmons brothers, 6th grader Danny and 4th grader John, each had a pin as well on their way to earning Silver. Anthony Cerrone enjoyed 1 pin in his work earning a Silver, and 4th grader Brian McKenna, new to the Tournament team, won a nice Silver as well.

Matt Jones with his hard-fought and well-earned Bronze.

There's always someone who gets stuck with tougher competition than the others, and this time it was 5th grader Matty Jones. He fought like you wouldn't believe for all 3 periods in his first match and lost by a point when the clock ran out. He promptly "wrestled back" in his 2nd match to win the Bronze.

The Grapplers travel to Walkill, NY this Sunday Feb 3rd to take on undoubtedly fierce competition as they hone their skills for the Nassau County Qualifier for the State Championship next Sunday, Feb. 10th.

Thomas Reina pins an experienced Long Beach Wrestler. John Simmons shows victory after a sweet pin. Danny Jones gets on top, and stays on top on his way to a nice pin. Anthony gets outside control over this Locust Valley competitor.