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Fordham Prep sophomore Andrew Lenzi wins the 130-pound Division I state championship.
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on Sunday, March 9th, 2008 at 6:59 pm by Tony Pinciaro.
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Tony PinciaroPinciaro, who grew up in Silver Lake, has been covering high school wrestling for The Journal News for 14 years. During this period he has covered some of Section 1's finest wrestlers from Joe Mazzurco to Griff Powell to P.J. Bory to Phil Donnelly, just to name a few. Tony is married with two children, Elena, 9, and Vincent, 6, a future
Section 1 wrestler. (He can already take his father down with a double.)
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Copyright ©2007 The Journal News, a Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper serving Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties in New York.
WOOHOO! so mobile, so many boys. Great job to Lenzi, you are an animal and are still young, that is the best part. Good luck to you in years to come, I know you gained many fans over this weekend.
Andrew
well done! We know how hard you work.
WAY TO GO LENZI.LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWONG YOUR CAREER THE NEXT TWO YEARS. FLAMIO AND LENZI SECTION ONE IS PROUD.
congrats, but correct me if im wrong, isn’t lenzi 17?
Lenzi is a sophmore
so how does the placings for nationals work?
Andrew Lenzi is 15 years of age. Congrats to you Andrew, you worked extremely hard of this and you made it, man. The best has yet to come. Don’t get complacent but keep driving to be the best wrestler you can be. These past 2 years were great—I drilled with a State Champ.
Congrats to my boy Lenzi on a job well done. I remember when you teched my boy demas in the second period at the jerry mcguire classic. I am proud to know that i have actually witnessed you wrestle. Once again, 215 champion, whoever you are, you are lucky Fernandez moved out of state.
Tony-
This weekend has been a good one and its because of you. You kept me up to speed throughout the past 2 days i just want to thank you for that. I think everyone is lucky to have you covering section 1. Really appreciate it and looking forward to your story, Enjoy the finals up there.
-yeayo
Why would section 1 be proud of lenzi? He is as much section 1 as the meys brothers are. I understand why the journal covers him but what has he done for section1 besides beat our best chance for a state title
Congrats again to Lenzi, one of my many boys, so mobile. But I also wanted to thank Mr. Pinciaro for a job well done. I have enjoyed posting on this site and will continue to do so in the future, thanks for making us much more knowledgable about this season, making it even more enjoyably
-Mobile Turkey
congrats to lenzi and flamio, zednanref ttam and all of our other place finishers, realbuto, grippi, kind of oddo, coffey, brundage, stambovsky, and I hope I am not missing anybody but congrats all around, and great hs careers to antonioli, coffey, arcara, oddo, cook, stambovsky, wiener, and all our seniors, you made us proud for four years.
um is Lenzi even considered section one?
Even though lenzi wrestles for a catholic school (fordham prep) he still lives in the section 1 area, and has been wrestling with section one wrestlers his whole life, even now. Though he goes to a high school in the bronx all of his offseason training is with section one wrestlers in the section one area. He grew up in that wrestling community and remains a part of that wrestling community.
anyone know which section won the tournament
anyword on section rankings-place finishers? Did section I break top eight???? Gotta think we did.
Section Score
2 238
8 190
11 168.5
3 144
5 135.5
4 133
9 110
1 94.5
6 78
10 36
Lanzi is part of the westchester wrestling community not the section 1 community. he is not section1 u cant have ur cake and eat it 2. You have to take the good and bad of going to a private school.
section one took 8th? i thought we did better
First, thank you Tony for the wonderful coverage this weekend. For a sport that doesn’t usually get a lot of coverage, your blog updates and article are very refreshing.
Second, thanks for your coverage of Fordham Prep the last few years. A good portion of the student/athletes are from the Westchester community and it’s great for them to get a little coverage when their accomplishments would otherwise go unnoticed.
Finally, congrats to Andrew. He accomplished something that many people can be proud of. As a Westchester resident, a competitor in many Section I tournaments, and a member of the ISW club I think it’s great for Westchester residents to share in and celebrate his championship. As a wrestler in the CHSAA, he is one of only three champs from that section and it is a remarkable accomplishment. By attending school in the Bronx, he is the first wrestler to represent a city school to win a state championship, again a remarkable feat. Andrew is a great kid, a dedicated worker, and a modest and humble competitor that many people can be happy for. Good Luck throughout your career!
Tony, thanks so much for the FANTASTIC coverage you provided. It was practically minute-by-minute. You are the best.
Congratulations to All Section One Wrestlers at the State tournament. I think we have many good things to look forward to next Season with Brundage, Flamio, Grippi, Realbuto all back next year. As for Lenzi Congrats I don’t know the kid so I wasn’t rooting for him I definitely rooted for all Section 1 Wrestlers. Questions why was Lenzi Allowed to workout with the Section 1 Team before States?
Good question Juan,I’d like to hear the answer to that one.
Maybe just becuase it was convenient.
Congratulations again to all of the wrestlers who competed this weekend, especially Andrew Lenzi and Justis Flamio. And kudos to Justis. Despite the outcome in the state final, Flamio showed nothing but class. He shook Arajau’s hand and Arajau’s coaches before returning to coach Sal Imbimbo and assistant coach Dom Oddo.
Yes, he was disappointed with the outcome, but Flamio did not throw a temper tantrum or throw his headgear in disguist or storm off the mat. Hopefully, everybody noticed this. And, Justis was excellent when I interviewed him after he received his medal. He did not make any excuses and credited Arajau for being an excellent wrestler.
Thank you for the kind words regarding my posts from the state championships. I apologize for not being able to post more, but the reporters were having problems with the wireless Sunday because of Armdrag.com
Armdrag was webcasting live which, according to the knuckleheads at Blue Cross Arena, was interfering with or knocking out the wireless signal. Numerous times I went to write a post, only to have the signal go.
Many of us, the reporters, complained that we needed to have wireless so we could send our stories, blog and track results on line because we were not supplied with results sitting in the rafters. (This is the first time in my 17 years covering the state wrestling championships that the press was not seated on the floor.) We were told by the Blue Cross Arena hierarchy that Armdrag paid $1200 for the right to webcast live.
So, after we complained about this, the bottom line was the $1200 was more important than helping the 12 newspapers that were covering the state championships.
Congratulations Andrew Lenzi, you proved that hard work and toughness pays dividends. You also silenced a lot of the amateur Jimmy the Greeks who like to make predictions on High School wrestling. I never heard your name mentioned by the handicappers as being favored to win. I would also like to congratulate all Section One wrestlers that made it to the state tournament, win or lose you are still champions in my book. Lastly I would like to offer a word of encouragement to all section one wrestlers who didn’t win the section, or place, stick to it, and hard work will allow you to reach your goals.
Tony thanks so much for the coverage, my wife ahs second thought as i was always looking for updates. Congrats to Ryan Osleeb and all the others great job to all section one and JJ coach for what i ‘am told was workng with all involved
Great wrestling section 1. Little man Realbuto you are a 100lb wrecking machine, Genta you are inches away from the gold medal. My Nanuet boys went hard, it just wasn’t in the cards this year. Congrats to all placers and non placers, I saw how hard you worked in practice and how hard you tried in Rochester.
Coach Rogers
Juan & Fan-
Lenzi was invited to the section 1 practices by the best coaches in section 1. Just ask the wrestlers at the practices if it helped them at states…i.e Joe grippi & others.
Why is that? Isn’t that a conflict of interest when he had to wrestle one of our wrestlers in the tournament? He didn’t ride the long bus ride with any of you, he flew. And he didn’t wear the same colors as all of you. And is Grippi the only one he helped? And why was Degl there in his corner grabbing the first hug as a state champ instead of his wonderful father. Congrats to all the SECTION 1 representatives in the state tournament this weekend. You all deserve a standing ovation.
I guess all those private 1 on 1 workouts with Greg E and all those summer workouts with Dom O did not help him achieve his goals.It was JD
Great Job by James Brundage! !!!!!!!!!!!!#rd Place an actually true second! Great Job!
RaiderFan,
I have no problem with who he works out with on his time but The STate Practice are Team Section 1 Time. If he can’t get the proper practices or workouts with his section maybe he should come to one of the Section 1 Schools I’m sure anyone would Love to Have him. Also what if he got hurt or hurt a Section 1 kid at practice who’s liable for that? Hey congrats to Him like I said I don’t know him I’m sure he’s a great kid but many people were asking this same questions. Fell free to anwser me in person anytime.
Juan Torres
Congrats to Andrew and all you accomplished. He works out at Degal’s so thats why he was in his corner. Degal has made Andrew one of his own in regards as a wrestler. At all the tournaments Andrew would call Degal to tell him how he was doing! Lenzi, a finominal wrestler, made some good friends along the way that help him out by getting him into the Section 1 practice and cheering him on the whole way. It was not personal or malicious it was to benefit everyone
So did section 1 really come in eighth? Can’t find team results anywhere….
LEAVE IT TO RELIGION TO CONFUSE EVERYTHING. LENZI SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AN INDEPENDENT.
For starters Lenzi is only 15. To my knowledge Lenzi only worked out 4-5 days with Section 1 and was invited to be there. Being as tough a tough competitor that he is the Section 1 boys should have benefited by Lenzi being there just as he would benefit. Tough competition should make you rise to the occassion. As far as a response to Mahopac fan, Religion has nothing to do with this, there is no confusion. It sounds like a lot of parents causing the confusion.
In response to mahopac fan, even though Lenzi is at a Catholic school you should keep in mind that his parents are also paying taxes to your Section 1 and not utlizing ANY of the services. Leave it to the GOVERNMENT to confuse everything, not RELIGION!!!!!!
Congrats to all the wrestler’s!! Why is everybody so concern about who work’s out with who and where. If it makes everybody a better wrestler more power to them. We need this in Section 1 to make us better!!Let’s call long island and have spring and summer open mat’s together. To mahopac fan and torres just relax!!
Tony,
So what was your take at States? It seems like there was improvement at the Section I level. Your views?
Second, and you know I was going to ask, what are your Section I predicted champions for next year!
MJ,
Just want the question anwsered why was he allowed to practice with Section 1 Team? If you post your name we can talk about it at one of the Spring Tournaments or workouts. Was Rose or any of our Runner ups invited to practice?
Any of the kids who placed or who wanted to go to the practices could attend.
First, congrats to Lenzi and all the other place finishers, esp Brundage who came one point away from the second biggest upset of the tourney, grippi pulled off numero uno, and congrats to him as well.
Next, stop all the sec one versus catholic bullpatties and who practiced with whom and where JD sat his big butt.
Now is the time and place to congratulate all the kids involved.
TONY, great job. But with all due respect, where on the floor would you have liked them to put you guys. The floor was very cramped, the venue is quite small. I saw at least one kid,Cinque Mandella, get thrown head first into the hockey boards and get knocked out. Too bad they did not have more room for all concerned.
And my last point, if they had 8 mats on the floor in Rochester inside the hockey boards, them why can’t the same 8 mats fit inside the hockey boards in SYRACUSE?
It would seem to me to be equal square footage and then the states can return to their true home and not 360 miles away in the Rochester Winter Wonderland.
Terrible 3 days of weather!!!!!!!!
The venue was a bit small. I happened to speak to Jeff Cuilty (sp?) who is an important part of organizing the tournament and he indicated that they are trying to make Albany’s Pepsi Arena the permanent place for the State Wrestling Tournament. He also indicated that there is general agreement among the sections to have the tournament seeded for the first 6 wrestlers – perhaps using the same criteria as the wild cards. At this point the criteria is being debated.
I think this is long overdue. There were some terrible first round matchups. For example, at 130lb you have Benton & Piaquadio in the first round – both All-State wrestlers from 2007. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
What does religion have to do with any of this first off? Anyone who has competed in any sport at any level should want to go up against the best. As it turns out, Lenzi was the best in his section. Do not punish a hardworking athlete because the rules are the rules. Don’t punish either of his coaches and certainly not his father. They did things that were allowable by the rules. Nothing but congratulations for this young man who earned the right to compete no matter what section or what school he goes to!
lenzi you are awesome we’re lucky enough to know you your an inspiration and nobody cares what division you’re in. for motivational purposes lets say you are not and that section one still needs a champ.
Im sure Im in the minority but I think seeding at the state tournament may result in politics playing a role. You simple need to read other sections blogs to know that every one thinks their atheletes are the best. The tournament itself is more exciting without seeding.
A comment about Andrew Lenzi. Anyone seeking to improve their skill looks to wrestle better wrestlers. His presents raise the bar for all.
A comment about Mr Cook. You should be proud of yourself. Your improvement on the mat this year was exceptional. Your confidence and character (even in face of,Im sure, was a very emotional loss) was appreciated by those who watche. Good luck in the future.
Can anyone offer any insight into the horrible performance by Oddo? He looked thoroughly disinterested in wrestling the entire tournament. This also appeared to be the case at sections. I can understand him not getting up for the sections, as he had no competition, but the STATES?
Is his heart just not in wrestling anymore?
Does anyone know who published the programs up at states? Unfortunately, we lost ours and I’m trying to see if I can buy one.
Old Skool,
I noticed the same thing. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but on the mat. Fell for him though to really not even place after all the hard work put in.
Kelliann,
I looked at my program and I do not see who published it. You can go on web site and try to order one. www.nysphsaa.org not sure if that is any help but you can try.
is it true arcara tore his shoulder during his match with winky shepard???
Wrestling fan,
Thanks very much for the info—was able to order from the web site.
you are welcome.
Old Skool wrote re Oddo:
“He looked thoroughly disinterested in wrestling the entire tournament.”
Would you say the same of Brundage? I wouldn’t say it about either. Some wrestlers get tight and hyper-kinetic, some are as cool as a cucumber. I think you’re mistaking a focused, relaxed, sense of confidence with disinterest.
Oddo is outstanding on his feet and was in every match he wrestled (definately not horrible). What I saw was other opponents who had him scouted well, knew he was going to attack on his feet, and waited for counter opportunities.
Some were able to score on counters, some weren’t. There are no guarantees at States, the competition is just too good.
Cauli,
Once again, great insite. Oddo has weaknesses, like not being so good on the mat. He has a small amount of pins and back points in his career as compared to all his many wins and takedowns. His style and strengths are evident even at the sectional level, at the states these things will be exploited. Dom has never had what one would call a great state tournament. That said, I have enjoyed watching him, he has had a great career and always I thought exhibited class and tried his hardest, the kid has nothing but great things ahead of him.
Lenzi isnt section 1 and shouldnt be considered the first state champ section 1 has had in a while, he’s catholic high school all the way
DUH WE ALL KNOW HE ISNT SECTION ONE.
WE ALL KNOW HE WAS INVITED BY THE SECTION LIKE OTHERS WERE.
WE ALL KNOW HE IS THE BEST.
HE BEAT OUR BEST GUY.
SERIOUSLY GET OVER IT.
I stand by my observations. His heart did not look in it.
I won’t be surprised if he decdes not to wrestle at Columbia.
If he does decide to wrestle, the coaches will have their work cut out for them in getting him to open up and not play the laid back style.
re Brundage, i was impressed with how he placed. I think he is a completely raw wrestler with limited technique and a ton of athletic ability. If he wrestled year round, with proper coaching, he could be a legit college talent.
he does wrestling year round.
thank you Antonioli, every1 keeps arguging why was andrew allowed to wrestle with section 1 kids. who cares, the kid worked harder than anyone and just looked to get the best training before states. if he didnt face oddo and beat him this controversy would have never occured. and mahopac fan you need to stop complaining about everything just because Oddo lost to him.
Regarding the young Mr. Lenzi. Any critiscism about where or whom he wrestles for and who he practiced with and whether that all has anything to do with his accomplishments on the mat, are thoughts and words of misguided minds. He is the product of a terrific family and parents, he posesses a level of focus, dedication and self motivation that’s remarkable for a young man his age,or anyone for that matter. He is a gentleman, a top student and a source of pride for all who know him. Continued success to him. Let’s not find a reason to downplay his achievements, or those any of these terrific athletes.