I picked up my Rockland Journal News this morning and was greeted by the tragic news that former Tappan Zee wrestler and TZ assistant wrestling coach Rob Rothschild passed away Saturday as a result of a car accident.

   The 23-year-old Rothschild was a 2001 TZ graduate and former wrestling team captain, as well as a baseball and football captain. This is the second devastating shock to TZ and the wrestling program. Three years ago, Rothschild’s teammate, friend and fellow graduate, Chris Bello, also passed away tragically, from a car accident.

   I remember covering Rothschild and Bello during their wrestling careers. The duo provided TZ coach Rich Blauvelt with a solid tandem at 189 and 275 pounds, respectively, especially during their senior years.

   I would like to extend my condolences to the Rothschild family and Tappan Zee wrestling on the tragic passing of Rob.

  

Friday, March 2 – At the Times Union Center 10 a.m. – Parade of Champions 10:30 a.m.2 p.m. First round 2-4 p.m. – Quarterfinals – Division 1 & 2 4-6 p.m. – Wrestlebacks – Division 1 & 2 Saturday, March 3 – Times Union Center 9:30 a.m. – Special awards 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Semifinals – Division 1 & 2 12:30 p.m.2 p.m., 2:15 p.m.-4 p.m. Wrestlebacks – Consolation semifinals and finals – Division 1 & 2 6 p.m. – Championship finals – Division 1 & 2

   96 – Teddy Kyreakedes (Dobbs Ferry) vs. Grant Greene (Cold Spring Harbor-Section

   103 – Penn Gottfried (Ardsley) vs. Justin Signorelli (Highland-Section 9)

   112 – Genta Murayama (Edgemont) vs. Tim Banks (Holley-Section 5)

   119 – Danny Manley (Ardsley) vs. Eric Velez (Medina); Jeff Allison (Pearl River) vs. Tyler Sinisgalli (John Glenn-Section 11)

   125 – Michael Esteves (Pleasantville) vs. Garrett Morabito (Susquehanna Valley-Section 4)

   130 – Rich Berkowitz (Nanuet) vs. Devin Moore (Clifton-Fine-Section 10)

   135 – Alex Pastena (Putnam Valley) vs. Kenny Betts (Fredonia-Section 6)

   140 – Rich Driscoll (Ardsley) vs. Tony Doldo (Watertown IHC-Section 3); Dan Romero (Pawling) vs. Justin Widrig (Holley-Section 5)

   145 – John Coffey (Pearl River) vs. Justin Lister (South Jefferson-Section 3)

   152 – Ryan Pastore (Irvington) vs. Jimmy Kielty (Petrides-PSAL); Steven Boulos (Croton) vs. Alejandro Centeno (Wheatley-Section

   160 – John Zink (Dobbs Ferry) vs. Tyler Flath (General Brown-Section 3)

   171 – Dennis Bencosme (Sleepy Hollow) vs. Nic Mayville (Marion-Section 5)

   189 – Matt Lee (Edgemont) vs. Rob Piscatello (Locust Valley-Section 8); Dan Constratano (Hastings) vs. James Kravic (Red Hook-Section 9)

   215 – Collin Lemon (Haldane) vs. Pete Baker (Peru-Section 7); Chris Vingo (Arldsey) vs. Mike Vaccaro (Petrides-PSAL)

   275 – Max Nau (Nanuet) vs. Sean Melow (Babylon-Section 11)

   96 – Justis Flamio (Mahopac) vs. John Tanner (Kellenberg – CHSAA)

   103 – Mike Ahearn (Yorktown) vs. Matt Rich (Plainedge-Section

   112 – Mark Arcara (Harrison) vs. Casey Lanave (Chenango Forks-Section 4)

   119 – Vinny Argese (Carmel) vs. Corey Borshoff (Pittsford-Section 5)

   125 – Dominick Oddo (Mahopac) vs. Joey Nunez (Deer Park-Section 11); Marc Zurla (North Rockland) vs. Mark Lewandowski (Lancaster-Section 6)

   130 – Joe Perry (John Jay-East Fishkill) vs. Mike Doria (Massapequa-Section

    135 – Steven Ramos (Clarkstown North) vs. Chris Collura (Spencerport-Section 5); Charlie Trumm (Rye) vs. Troy Cunningham (Ogdensburg Free Academy-Section 10)

   140 – Ben Spiegel (Horace Greeley) vs. Jake Villaret (Curtis-PSAL)

   145 – James Brundage (Ossining) vs. Phill Barreiro (Massena-Section 10)

   152 – Kyle Friedman (John Jay) vs. Mike LaDuke (Mexico-Section 3)   

   160 – Tyler Lovas (Fox Lane) vs. Bryan Bourne (Spencerport-Section 5)

   171 – Nick Cifuni (C. North) vs. Jake Koshinski (Niagara-Wheatfield-Section 6)

   189 – T.J. Nelson (Somers) vs. Brian Mackey (Grand Street Campus-PSAL); Kadeem Samuels (Fordham Prep) vs. D.J. Hundson (South Glens Falls-Section 2)

   215 – Noel Clarke (Arlington) vs. Ken Altarac (LaSalle-Section 2); Derek Phillips (Suffern) vs. Dan Conroy (Kellenberg-CHSAA)

   275 – Dave Colombo (Mahopac) vs. D.J. Warner (East Syracuse Minoa-Section 3)

   The following Section 1 wrestlers received wild-card berths in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Wrestling Championships March 2-3 at the Times Union Center in Albany:

   Division I (large schools): Marc Zurla (125 pounds)-North Rockland; Derek Phillips (215)-Suffern; Charlie Trumm (135)-Rye.

   Division II (small schools): Jeff Allison (119 pounds)-Pearl River; Steven Boulos (152)-Croton; Rich Driscoll (140)-Ardsely; Matt Lee (189)-Edgemont; Chris Vingo (Ardsley)-215.

   Congratulations. 

   Jeff Allison

   This is the million-dollar question. Section 1 wrestling chairman Eric Romanino will be notified tomorrow as whether or not North Rockland’s Marc Zurla, Pearl River’s Jeff Allison, Croton’s Steven Boulos and possibly Ardsley’s Chris Vingo received wild-card berths.

   In Zurla’s case, his record speaks for himself—2-time sectional champ, 2005 state runner-up and two-time sectional finalist. Allison is also a two-time sectional champ and a sectional finalist, Boulos is a 2005 sectional titlist and two-time finalist and Vingo is a 2006 sectional champion.

   If the state was going on pure individual accomplishments, Zurla is a slam dunk (pardon the hoops terminology). And Vingo would stand a good chance. However, the criteria is based on more than just the individual’s performance. 

   A section’s performance spanning the previous six years also weighs heavily in the decision. As former Mahopac coach Joe Mahoney noted, the criteria calls on power points for each section. Unfortunately, because Section 1 is among the lower four, the Section 1 wrestler does not receive any power points.

   So wrestlers from Sections 11, 4, 5 and 2 receive 10 power points, wrestlers from Sections 8, 9, 3 and 6 receive 5 power points and Sections 1, 7, 10, the PSAL and CHSAA receive zippo, zilch, none.

   Good luck to Marc Zurla and Chris Vingo. I think it would safe to say that Section 1 is hoping you will be representing it at the state championships.

   Congratulations to Fordham Prep’s Kadeem Samuels. The senior won the 189-pound Catholic High School Athletic Association state title. He qualified for the New York State Public High School Championships March 2-3 at the Times Union Center in Albany. Samuels finished fifth at 171 pounds in the 2006 NYS Championships.

   Fordham Prep had its best finish in school history – fourth – behind championship Chaminade, runner-up Kellenberg and third-place finisher Monsignor Farrell.

   Fordham Prep had a finalist in A.J. Noto (171) , four 3rd-place finishers – Andrew Lenzi (125), Yohannes Constable (140), Steve Massey (160) and Dan Argast (215) – a 4th-place in Ben Hellier (145) and a sixth in Matt Rynne (119).

   Salesian, led by 135-pound third-place finisher David Marlow, was 15th followed by Iona Prep, highlighted by 275-pound fifth-place finisher Andrew Mortati, at 16. Mount St. Michael was 17th and had a sixth in 275-pounder Anthony Malave.

   For anybody who read a post by “Marc Zurla” and “Greg Scott,” disregard them. Apparently, an individual is looking to start trouble by impersonating Zurla and Scott.

      Before I offer my take, here’s hoping Brian Boersma of John Jay-East Fishkill is feeling better. Boersma was forced to injury default to Ossining’s James Brundage after the first period. Former John Jay-East Fishkill volunteer assistant coach Joe Mahoney returned to the head table tonight (Saturday) to let me know that Boersma had suffered a concussion.

   Here we go:

   96 – Justis Flamio dec. Brian Realbuto, 6-0: Flamio, a freshman, won his first sectional title, but Realbuto, only a 7th-grader, wrestled well. Here is the future of Section 1 wrestling in these two young men and man does it look good.

   103 – Mike Ahearn dec. Mike Rose, 5-4: Give Ahearn a lot of credit for what he did. He wrestled Rose tough, stayed in the match throughout and then registered the decisive takedown with one second remaining. I get the feeling that next season Rose is going to be on a mission. Watch out.

   112 – Mark Arcara dec. Joey Grippi, 2-0: In part 3 of their series, both wrestlers trumped the other’s strength. Grippi negated Arcara’s ‘sick’ ankle pick and low single, and Arcara thwarted Grippi’s effective switch. It was Arcara who registered a switch with 10 seconds remaining in the match for the only points. Arcara has two sectional titles, equaling the combined total of his father, Frank, and his uncle, Joe. Both won sectional titles in the 1970s.

   119 – Vin Argese and dec. Caruso, 5-2: After Argese lost to Caruso in the dual, Argese wrestled an aggressive match. Argese was constantly shooting, keeping Caruso on the defensive. And, unlike many opponents, Argese escaped from Caruso’s neutralizer from top—legs.

   125 – Dominick Oddo (named most outstanding wrestler) dec. Marc Zurla, 13-6: This was the match everyone was waiting for, anticipating a tight, down-to-the wire finish. Oddo would not allow any Zurla rally. Oddo won the match on his feet, with six takedowns, and did not allow Zurla to execute a tilt or cradle. Now, Zurla and Section 1 will await word on if this two-time sectional champ and state runner-up will receive a wild-card berth.

   130 – Joe Perry and Ryan Martin: Perry joins his brother Chris, who was a sectional champ last season. Martin has a great season and concludes with 112 wins. And, don’t forget, he was a recent Con-Ed award winner.

   135 – Steven Ramos dec. Charlie Trumm, 7-3: After losing to Trumm in the Mamaroneck tournament final in December, Ramos got h is revenge. Ramos has evolved into a fine young wrestler and one that will keep C. North coach Tony Mellino smiling.

   140 – Ben Spiegel dec. John Galea, 12-11: Spiegel joins his father, Lee, as a sectional champ. Lee Spiegel was also a state champion during his high school career on Long Island. Galea deserves a lot of credit for his showing. He pinned North Rockland’s Joe Rodriguez in the semis, then rallied to even the score at 11-11 with Spiegel. However, Spiegel escaped with 10 seconds remaining for the winning point.

   145 – James Brundage was leading Brian Boersma 4-0 after one when referee Ray Hirsch stopped the match. Boersma had been attended to by the trainer in the first period after a Brundage takedown.

   152 – Kyle Friedman dec. Harrison Cook, 8-4: Friedman beat Cook for the fourth time and becomes John Jay’s first sectional champ since 1982. Friedman was able to negate Cook’s signature cradle.

   160 – Tyler Lovas dec. Zeke Stambovsky, 4-2: Lovas gets a takedown with five seconds remaining in the match. It was quite a season as the pair met four times with Lovas winning three.

   171 – Nick Cifuni dec. Greg Scott, 9-6: Cifuni jumped out quick with a pair of first-period takedowns and rode out Scott in the second period. Scott closed the gap to 5-3 and 6-5 in the third with a pair of takedowns.

   189 – T.J. Nelson dec. Andrew Koudlai, 4-3: For the second consecutive week, Nelson defeated Port Chester’s John Calero and Koudlai to win. Last week, Nelson did this in the Division 1 final.

   215 – Noel Clarke dec. Derek Phillips, 7-2: Clarke reached his third consecutive final and came away with this second sectional title. Despite the loss, Phillips had an excellent career, as a four-year starter at 215 pounds.

   275 – Dave Colombo tech. fall Mike Gardner, 18-3: Colombo put on a clinic in the final. How often do you see a 275-pounder tech his opponent. Nice job Mayor Colombo.

   And congratulations to Mahopac, coaches Salvatore Imbimbo, Dom Oddo and Joe Regan for winning its third consecutive large-school title and six sectional championship in the last seven years. Fox Lane was second and John Jay, in just its fifth year since returning to varsity status under coach and former Horace Greeley state champion, Bill Swertfager, finished third. Carmel took fourth and North Rockland was fifth.

   On the small schools side, kudos to Nanuet, coach Brenden Rogers and assistant coach Rob Carbone for taking the team title. Rich Berkowitz won the 130-pound title for his fourth sectional crown and was named MOW.

   Congratulations to Alex Pastena (135 pounds)  for becoming Putnam Valley’s first sectional champion. Coach Dr. Will Carano, a sectional champion for Mahopac in the 1980s, has done a great job developing the program since it was born in 2000-01.

   Edgemont’s Genta Muryama took the 112-pound title and became the Panthers’ first champion since Anthony DeMaio won the, ironically, 112-pound crown in 1992.

   Pleasantville’s Michael Esteves returned from an injury to win his school-record third sectional title. Pearl River junior John Coffey, a sectional runner-up last season, was dominant in winning the 145-pound title by tech fall.

   Best performance by a runner-up goes to Nanuet junior Sal Arena. The 171-pounder had been hounded by injuries and illness all season, but Arena wrestled a strong tournament, beating 30-win wrestler Mike Todino of Eastchester in the first round. I had predicted Todino as someone to watch out for, but Arena out me in my place with that victory. Arena advanced to the final and wrestled champion Dennis Bencosme tough in a 5-2 decision.  

   Dan Constratano of Hastings deserves a tremendous amount of credit. After missing the entire regular season with a torn rotator cuff, he returns for sectionals and prevails. It reminds me of Nanuet’s Sean Conklin, who, if I remember correctly, missed the majority of his junior year with an injury, but came back and won the second of his three sectional titles.

   Now it is on to states. Here’s hoping that Section 1 has a good tournament. Good luck to all of the champions.

   Nanuet won the team title, besting Ardsley, and Nanuet 130-pounder Rich Berkowitz was named most outstanding wrestler after winning his fourth sectional title.

   Here are the individual results:

   96 – Teddy Kyreakedes (Dobbs Ferry) maj. dec. John Tilles (Ardsley), 14-1

   103 – Penn Gottfried (Ardsley) pin. Andrew Nicholson (Eastchester), 3:03. Gottfried was the 2006 96-pound champion also.

   112 – Genta Muryama (Edgemont) maj. dec. Harry Kyreakedes (Dobbs Ferry), 9-1: Muryama becomes Edgemont’s first sectional champ since Anthony DeMaio in 1992.

   119 – Danny Manley (Ardsley) dec. Jeff Allison (Pearl River), 11-5

   125 – Michael Esteves (Pleasantville) dec. Frank Tedesco (Croton), 4-1: Esteves wins 145th career match and third sectional title.

   130 – Rich Berkowitz (Nanuet) pin. Jean Patino (Sleepy Hollow), 1:18. Berkowitz gets his 165th career win and fourth small-school sectional title.

   135 – Alex Pastena (Putnam Valley) dec. David Beard (Haldane), 12-7: Pastena becomes Put Valley’s first sectional champion.

   140 – Dan Romero (Pawling) dec. Rich Driscoll (Ardsley), 7-6.

   145 – John Coffey (Pearl River) tech. fall Dylan Simonetti (Pawling), 15-0.

   152 – Ryan Pastore (Irvington) dec. Steven Boulos (Croton), 5-3: Pastore avenges two regular-season one-point losses with three near-fall points in the third period to break a 2-2 tie.

   160 – John Zink (Dobbs Ferry) dec. Karl Lange (Putnam Valley), 4-3

   171 – Dennis Bencosme (Sleepy Hollow) dec. Salvatore Arena (Nanuet), 5-2

   189 – Dan Constratano (Hastings) maj. dec. Matt Lee (Edgemont), 11-3: Constratano misses the entire regular season from an injury suffered during football season, then returns to win the section after a 2006 runner-up showing at this weight class.

   215 – Collin Lemon (Haldane) pin. Chris Vingo (Ardsley), 3:27: This was no fluke for Lemon leading and in control of the match before adding the exclamation point.

   275 – Max Nau (Nanuet) pin. Craig Smith (Woodlands), 1:00: After a third-place finish last year, Nau pins way to the title.