2018 Eastern States Classic – Tournament Preview

99 Pounds

The Favorites
This weight class is always the most difficult to predict because many of the entries have very little varsity experience.  That said, there is certainly plenty of talented wrestlers entered at 99 pounds for this year’s Eastern States Classic.  There is one wrestler who is a returning state place winner, Mason Bush from Central Valley Academy.  He finished 5th in NYS last year and is definitely one of the favorites here.  Stevo Poulin from Shenendehowa has been impressive this year with his only loss coming at 106 to Levine from Wyoming Seminary. Hilton’s Rocco Camillaci is undefeated thus far as well as Jared Weinhaus from Scahem East and Luke Smith from Hauppauge. Carter Schubert from Williamson-Marion-Sodus, Dante Geislinger from Norwich, Jace Schafer from Pal-Mac, and Chase Liardi from Massapequa from Massapequa are all very tough and will contend here.  Section 9 definitely has a few kids to watch at 99 namely Justin Morales from Middletown, Nikko Walsh from Rondout Valley, and Christian Prokosch from Cornwall.

Section 9 Entries
Justin Morales (Middletown), Nikko Walsh (Rondout Valley), Christian Prokosch (Cornwall), Evan Hewitt (Minisink Valley), Grant Barczak (Monroe Woodbury), Richard Toledo (Monroe Woodbury)

106 Pounds

The Favorites
This is an absolutely loaded weight class but we’ll start with nationally ranked Anthony Noto from Honeoye Falls/Lima.  The sophomore is ranked 15th in the nation by FloWrestling and was the D2 NYS champion at 99 pounds last year. His opponent in last year’s state final, Jordan Titus from Center Moriches, will also be in contention here. Terry Adams from Monsignor Farrell was an ESC finalist at 99 last year. He was also a state finalist last year in D1 and his semifinal opponent, Ivan Garcia from Port Chester, will definitely be in the hunt.  Matt Griffin from Jamesville Dewitt – CBA placed at 99 in last years’s ESC and he is a 2X NYS placewinner. Some others to watch at 106 include Dennis Robin from Arlington, Len Balducci from Pleasantville, Josiah Encarnacion from Wantagh, Tim Levine from Wyoming Seminary, and Carter Baer from Gouverneur. We should also keep our eyes on Section 9 wrestlers Greg Fischer from NFA and Nick Picariello from Minisink Valley.

Section 9 Entries
Greg Fischer (NFA), Nick Picariello (Minisink Valley), Eric Tigue (Port Jervis), Jacob Chenier (Kingston), Matt Morris (Red Hook), and Drew Greco (Warwick)

113 Pounds

The Favorites

2X NYS Champion Greg Diakomihalis is the defending ESC champion at this weight and he is currently ranked #6 in the country by FloWrestling.  Ranked right behind him by Flo at #7 is Dylan Ryder from Half Hallow Hills West. Ryder came is 2nd at ESC last year at 106 and was a state champion at the same weight. National power Wyoming Seminary has two entries here and they are both capable of finishing high on the medal stand.  Nick Botello has been nationally ranked at times this season and just finished 5th at the PowerAde while Drew Munch was a Prep Nationals champ at 106 last year and came in 4th at the NHSCA Freshman Nationals. Let’s not forget about Central Valley Academy senior Jon Charles who finished 3rd at the ESC last hear and won the states in 2016 and finished 2nd in 2017. Others to watch here include Drew Schafer from Wayne, Aiden Rabideau from Clarence, Myles Griffin from Jamesville Dewitt, Matt Garland from South Jefferson/Sandy Creek, and Marek Bush from Central Valley Academy. Section 9 is well represented at this weight with Dylan Earl from Monroe Woodbury who last season finished 5th in NYS and sectional finalist Jordan Suarez from Minisink Valley!

Section 9 Entries
Dylan Earl (Monroe Woodbury), Jordan Suarez (Minisink Valley), Ryan Burgos (Monroe Woodbury), and Hunter Brown (Warwick).

120 Pounds

The Favorites

Adam Busiello from Section 11 is the odds on favorite here. The Eastport South Manor junior is a 3X NYS champion and is the 3rd ranked 126 pound wrestler in the nation according to Flo!  Busiello will not go untested though and one of the wrestlers looking to pick him off is Monroe Woodbury junior Marco Vespa.  Vespa finished 4th in NYS last year. Busiello may also receive a test from his teammate Zach Redding who was the ESC champ at 106 last season and finished 3rd in NYS. There will definitely be some out-of-state wrestlers in contention here as well, specifically Ryan Jack from Danbury and Chris Trelli from Bristol. Anthony Sciotto from Rocky Point (3rd in NYS) is as dangerous as they come and don’t look past Caleb Robinson (2X state place winner) from Walton. Wyoming Seminary will have a competitive wrestler in nearly every weight they enter and 120 is no exception with Zeke Escalera who just finished 3rd at the Powerade.  We should also keep an eye on Brock Delsignore from South Glens Falls, Ryan Burgos from Hilton, Sal Jones from Long Island Lutheran, and Keith Cassar from Oyster Bay.

Section 9 Entries
Marco Vespa (Monroe Woodbury), Brandon DeLaRosa (NFA), Pat Ross (Onteora), Brian MacDougall (Warwick), and Jordan Pinskey (Warwick)

126 Pounds

The Favorites
This weight class is loaded with talent but after his incredible performance at Powerade, 2X ESC Champion Beau Bartlett from Wyoming Seminary has to be considered the favorite.  In the Powerade finals Bartlett handed Gavin Teasdale from PA his first ever HS loss! There are several wrestlers who will push Bartlett namely 2X NYS champ Orion Anderson from Schyulerville and 2X CT state champ Melquisidec Ortiz. We should also keep our eye on New Canaan, CT freshman Justin Mastroianni who went 4-2 and was one win away from placing at the Beast of the East. Some other studs at 126 include Justin McDougald from Niagara Wheatfield, Matt Campo from Mount Sinai, Sam Martel from Noble, and Michael Gonyea from Columbia.

Section 9 Entries
James Faison (Wallkill), Matt Romano (Valley Central), Sean Savacool (Minisink Valley), Jimmy Heinlein (Saugerties), Carson Sauschuck (Port Jervis), and Luke Fischer (NFA).

132 Pounds

The Favorites

Wyoming Seminary’s Jack Davis was a Powerade finalist and is currently ranked 10th in the nation by Flo at 138 making him one of the favorites at this weight. Returning D1 state champ Justin Vines from Wantagh definitely has to be considered of of the favorites here as well. Raf Lievano from Ward Melville and Joe Simons from Farmingdale are both very solid wrestlers and will be in the hunt. Alex Samson from Victor, Cahal Donovan from Marcellus, Nick Young from Alexander, and Luke Bokina from Mattituck all placed at the ESC at 120 last year and are all state placers. Connecticut has two hammers entered here in Kyle Field from Danbury and Tyler Schultz from New Milford. Minisink Valley senior Connor Greiner is undefeated thus far this season and will be looking for a spot on the medal stand here!

Section 9 Entries
Connor Greiner (Minisink Valley), Tommy Askey (Pine Bush), and Gavin Staerker (Port Jervis)

138 Pounds

The Favorites

3X MA state champion Josh Lee from Burlington is probably the favorite at 138.   NYS placewinners Chris Gomez from Patchogue Medford and Anthony Sobotker from North Babylon are nipping at his heels. Dom Vetrano from Minisink Valley is a 2X Section 9 champ and is definitely worth keeping an eye on along with Tony Negron from North Babylon and Jonathan Spadafora from Half Hollow Hills East. Others to watch here include Dan Mauriello from Hauppauge, Joe McGinty from Monroe Woodbury, Colin Realbuto from Iona Prep, Mike Zarif from Mount Sinai, Ian McKenna from New Hartford, and Justin Moronta from North Rockland.

Section 9 Entries
Dom Vetrano (Minisink Valley), Joe McGinty (Monroe Woodbury), Nate Ross (Onteora), Frank Fea (Goshen), Dylan Green (Pine Bush), Nick Florin (Pine Bush), Derrick Magsamen (Pine Bush), and Asher Pelton (Port Jervis)

145 Pounds

The Favorites

Another very loaded weight class but the favorite has to be the defending ESC champ at this weight, Penfield senior Frankie Gissendanner.  The 3X NYS champion just won the Powerade Tournament and is currently ranked #13 in the nation by FloWrestling! He will, however, get pushed by several capable wrestlers.  Hunter Shaut is was the D2 state champ last year and will definitely challenge here as well as Kyle Mosher from South Side who is a 3X state place winner. Shenendehowa senior Kiernan Shanahan was a state finalist last year and is always dangerous! Sem’s Connor Kievman will contend here as will Duanesburg’s Zach Lawrence and Holland Patents’ TJ Phillpots. Section champs Vinny Vetrano from Minisink Valley and Ian Houck from Rondout Valley will definitely be in the hunt for a medal here and we should also keep an eye on John O’Neill (Center Moriches), Matt Kline (Corning), AJ Kovacs (Danbury), Cory Day (Iroquois), Jack Ward (Locust Valley), Warren McDougald (Niagara Wheatfield), Jack Wrobel (Pawling), and Mike Portella (Plainedge).

Section 9 Entries
Vinny Vetrano (Minisink Valley), Dan Heffner (Cornwall), Steve Gazzillo (Cornwall), Dan Mandic (Goshen), Zach Chartrand (Onteora), Nate Cantwell (Saugerties)

152 Pounds

The Favorites

There is plenty of talent at 152 but the odds on favorite has to be 4X NYS champion Jacori Teemer from Long Beach.  Teemer is currently ranked 3rd in the nation at 152 by FloWrestling and is the most decorated wrestler in the field in both freestyle and folkstyle. Fox Lane’s Matt Grippi is a 2X state finalist and he will definitely hand with Teemer as will Ryan Luth from Foran, CT.  Wyoming Seminary’s Benny Baker is also at 152 and will contend for a title here. Some others to keep an eye on include John Carl Petretti from Shoreham Wading River, Cooper Kropman from Penfield, Jack Chesman from Pearl River, Joe Gannone from Eastport South Manor, and Charlie Grygas from Duanesburg. Section 9 has a few guys looking at placing too including Tyler Serafini (NFA), William Harrison (Port Jervis),and Tristen Schiafo (Red Hook).

Section 9 Entries
Tyler Serafini (NFA), William Harrison (Pot Jervis), Tristen Schiafo (Red Hook), Carter Stewart (Monroe Woodbury), Nick Albornoz (Minisink Valley), Destin Morano (Middletown), Joe Velazquez (Middletown), and Matt Schuyler (Cornwall)

160 Pounds

The Favorites

This could come down to the battle of the “Jakes”…Silverstein and Hendricks! Jake Hendricks from Wyoming Seminary is currently ranked  10th in the nation at 160 while Jake Silverstein from Hauppauge is ranked #17 at 152.  This will not be a two-horse race however! Chris Barker from Fairport is as tough as they come and you can’t look past Minisink Valley senior Timmy Ganuncio or Jake Nolan from Saranac. Pine Bush senior Shaun Burgos won the Mid Hidson Tournament and has looked very solid this year and definitely keep an eye on Matt Rogers from Wantagh!

Section 9 Entries
Timmy Ganuncio (Minisink Valley), Shaun Burgos (Pine Bush), Collin Cummings (Valley Central), and Graeme Knisell (Saugerties)

170 Pounds

The Favorites

There are a few guys in contention here but we have to consider Ballston Spa senior Tyler Barnes the favorite at 170.  He won the ESC and NYS titles at this weight last season and is currently ranked 17th in the nation! Wyoming Seminary’s Jake Stefanowicz just placed 7th at the Powerade and will do well here as will 2X state finalist Ross McFarland from Phoenix. A few others who will definitely contend for a medal here are James Langan from Wantagh, Dillon Ross from Onteora, Jason Butler from Port Jervis, David Miele-Estrella, and Camrin Galvin from Fulton.

Section 9 Entries
Dillon Ross (Onteora), Jason Butler (Port Jervis), Brian Mascaro (Wallkill), and Matt Bucci (Saugerties)

182 Pounds

The Favorites

This is definitely one of the most wide open weight classes in the tournament with several wrestlers entered with a legitimate chance at winning!  Jake Logan from New Rochelle finished 4th in NYS last year and has been nationally ranked and he will definitely be one of the favorites as will Minisink Valley senior Joey Yanis who is currently undefeated! Hilton junior Sammy Deprez keeps getting better and will likely place high, and we should definitely keep our eyes on Angelo Petrakis from Massapequa. A few others to watch for include Charlie Mahon from Elmira, Mike Sabella from Mount Sinai, Chance Lapier from Ausable Valley, and Jake Cook from Ballston Spa.

Section 9 Entries
Joey Yanis (Minisink Valley), Darnell Kornegay (Middletown), Alex Miller (NFA), and Anthony Owen (Saugerties)

195 Pounds

The Favorites

195 is another weight where several wrestlers will be in contention for the title but let’s start with Wantagh senior Jonathan Loew.  He finished 3rd in NYS last season but he has had a very impressive off season and is nationally ranked at #14 according to  Intermat. Loew isn’t the only nationally ranked wrestler entered here as Austin Cooley from Wyoming Seminary is ranked 17th by Intermat and 12th by FloWrestling.  Long Beach senior Elijah Rodriguez was the 195 pound ESC champ last year and will definitely be in contention to repeat! Qasim Khan from Foran, MA is a 2X state finalist and will be tough here as will Lancaster’s Joe Andreessen who placed 5th in NYS last year and Fox Lane’s Johnny Santos. Another hammer to watch here is Doug Simmons from Canastota; he placed 7th at last year’s ESC and placed 2nd in NYS D2 last year and let’s not sleep on the always dangerous Maxx DeCapua from NFA!

Section 9 Entries:
Maxx DeCapua (NFA), Andrew Wierzbicki (Warwick), Ryan Hobson (Red Hook), Anton Juncaj (Minisink Valley), and Julius Oquendo (Middletown)

220 Pounds

The Favorites

220 is another very open weight class with no clear cut favorite.  Joe Benedict from South Jefferson/Sandy Creek is a 2X state finalist and he placed 4th at last year’s Eastern States Classic at 195.  Halil Gecaj took 3rd at this weight at last year’s ESC and placed 7th in NYS and will definitely do well in this bracket as will Sem’s Michael Doggett who took 7th at this year’s Powerade. A few others to look out for include William Leonard from Cornwall, Aiden Lilly from New Rochelle, Josh McMillan from Horace Greeley, and Boaz Smart from Bellmore-JFK.

Section 9 Entries
Adam Fenner (Minisink Valley), William Leonard (Cornwall), David Strauss (Monroe Woodbury), and Mark Crisfied (Valley Central)

285 Pounds

The Favorites

There is only one wrestler entered in the bracket that placed in his state tournament last season – Deonte Wilson from Amityville. Wilson finished 2nd in NYS, 3rd at this weight in last year’s Classic, and is ranked 11th in the nation by Intermat.  Trentyn Rupert from Newark Valley placed 6th at 220 at last year’s ESC and will do well as will Wyoming Seminary’s Antonio Cutrie. A few others to watch here are Andrew Fenner from Minisink Valley, Joey Slackman from Commack, Jake Stangle from Ballston Spa, and Tim Nagosky from Smithtown West.

Section 9 Entries
Andrew Fenner (Minisink Valley), Liam Dietrich (Red Hook), Preston Havison (Monroe Woodbury), Bryce Moore (Valley Central)