Congratulations to 2022 Minisink Valley graduate Sofia Macaluso for taking home the silver medal at 57 kg at the U20 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. Macaluso is a 2X Section 9 place winner for the Warriors taking 3rd as a freshman in 2019 and 2nd at the 2022 tournament in February as a senior. Sofia will be taking her talents to East Stroudsburg University where she will join her older sister Mia on a team coached by another former Section 9 wrestler, Ellenville graduate Anibal Nieves. Anibal was an Olympic wrestler for Puerto Rico in 1992 and 1996 and won silver medals at the 1991 and 1995 Pan American Games.
Sofia Macaluso
Macaluso’s journey to the silver medal was nothing short of epic! In the round of 16 Sofia pinned 2021 Junior World bronze medalist Sito Sito from India in 5:52, then stuck Junior World silver medalist Aurora Russo from Italy in 2:10 in the quarters! In the semis Macaluso locked horns with 2021 Junior World 5th Melda Dernecki from Turkey. Sofia left no doubt – she was leading 12-3 before recording her third consecutive pin of the tournament, this one at the 2:36 mark, and punched her ticket to the finals. In the gold medal match, Macaluso would leave it all on the mat but would fall a little short losing 6-1 to 2019 Cadet World gold medalist Ruka Natami from Japan. Sofia still has a year left of U20 eligibility left and will look to take home the gold next year at the World Championships in Warsaw, Poland.
To say that the Minisink Valley wrestling program had a great summer would be the understatement of the year! The fact that they only lost four wrestlers to graduation must have Coach Gallagher and Coach Hendershot excited for another incredible season! Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from the Warriors starting all the way back in January!
In-Season Highlights
2022 NYSPHSAA Dual Meet Champions
2022 NYSPHSAA Individual Tournament Champions – set team points record
PJ Duke – 138lb state champion
Zack Ryder – 160lb state champion
Ethan Gallo – 215lb state champion
Mikey Altomer – 170lb state 2nd
Eric Tigue – 152lb state 3rd
Andrew Filip – 189lb state 4th
4 other NYS Tournament qualifiers (Boice, Tresch, McKernan, and Greiner)
Post Season Highlights
Sofia Macaluso – U20 World Silver Medalist @ 57kg
Zack Ryder – U17 World Bronze Medalist @ 80kg
PJ Duke – Fargo 16U Freestyle Champion @ 138lbs
Mikey Altomer – Fargo Junior Greco Champion @ 182lbs; Pan Am Champ @ 82kg
Current High School National Rankings
PJ Duke – #4 @138 Flo / #2 @ 138 MatScouts
Zack Ryder – #2 @ 182 Flo (#6 P4P) / #2 @ 182 MatScouts (#17 P4P)
Ethan Gallo – HM @ 220 Flo / #12 @ 220 MatScouts
Congratulations to Sofia; and this “Ol Coach” is proud of the entire Macaluso Clan!!
Good Luck at ES this wrestling season (:0).
Thank you so much Coach. Minisink proud baby 💚 I hope you are doing well.