In four short years, The Journeymen Classic has become one of the premier preseason high school wrestling tournaments in the nation. The round robin event attracts some of the nation’s best wrestlers. This year’s Journeymen Classic included over 40 nationally ranked wrestlers including the #1 ranked wrestlers at 120, 125, and 152…Nick Suriano, Nick Piccininni, and Isaiah White respectively.
The competitors at the Journeymen Classic are separated into pools according to credentials but make no mistake about, there are NO soft weights! The 140B pool, for instance, had a 2X state champ, two one-time state champions, three state place winners, one state qualifier, and the top ranked freshman at his weight in the nation. When the day was over, Newburgh Free Academy senior Da’mani Burns stood on top of the podium as 2014 Journeymen Classic champion at 140B! Congratulations Da’mani….great job!!!
Section 9 had several stand out performances this weekend including Minisink Valley seniors Gerard Daly and Michael Raccioppi who both finished 3rd in their pools. Below is a summary of the all of our Section 9 wrestlers who competed this weekend.
Marco Vespa (MW) finished 2-2 at 100lbs in Saturday’s middle school competition
Anthony Stramiello (PB) went 0-4 and finished 6th at 106B
Vinny Vespa (MW) went 2-2 and finished 6th at 120B
Johnny Stramiello (PB/Sem) went 1-3 and finished 7th at 120C
Gerard Daly (MV) went 2-1 and finished 3rd at 130B
Evan Barczak (MW) went 1-2 and finished 5th at 130B
Da’mani Burns (NFA) went 4-0 and finished 1st at 140B
Michael Raccioppi (MV) went 3-1 and finished 3rd at 145B
AJ Aeberli (MV) went 2-2 and finished 4th at 160B
Nick McShea (MW) went 0-3 and finished 6th at 195
Journeymen Classic Results – A Pools Journeymen Classic Results – BCD Pools
Former Section 9 Champ Rissler Brings 6 From Alabama
Washingtonville High School graduate and former Section 9 Champion Shad Rissler is now a wrestling coach in the state of Alabama. Rissler entered six wrestlers in the Journeymen Classic and the boys from down south responded very well! Three of Rissler’s wrestlers won their pool, two took 3rd place and one finished 5th! Great job Shad…Section 9 Wrestling is proud to call you one of our own!