Author: Mike Carey

Locals Defeat SIR But Lose To D2 Ducks and Dark Nights

A team of Section 9 All-Stars competed admirably against some top-notch club competition Wednesday night at Delaware Valley HS in Westfall Township, PA.  The event was designed to be a tune-up for the club teams’ up coming tournaments in Lake Placid (Pop & Flow) and Virginia Beach (NHSCA National Duals).  The tournament, however, took on the “feel” of a charity event as many of those in attendance were there to show their support for Monroe Woodbury freshman wrestler Vinny Vespa who has recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma.  There was a $2 admission charge for all fans to enter the tournament.  The money collected at the gate was originally supposed to help pay for the D2 Ducks trip to the National Duals.  Upon learning of Vespa’s diagnosis, DV coach Lou DeLauro decided to donate the gate money to the Vespa family.  Thanks Lou….a truly generous gesture by a truly classy coach!

On the mats, the S9 All-Stars, or Team Vinny, finished 1-2.  They defeated SIR Wrestling from NJ 25-24 by criteria (Quinn Zsido’s pin), but lost to the D2 Ducks 46-13 and Dark Nights 38-21.  The D2 Ducks and Dark Nights are both PA club teams.  The only Section 9 wrestler to finish a perfect 3-0 was Minisink Valley’s Gerard Daly.  Click below for all of the results involving Team Vinny!

                                                              Results – Team Vinny

Local Stars Will Take On Grapplers From PA and NJ This Wednesday at Delaware Valley High School in Matamoras, PA

                         Section 9 All-Star Dual Meet Schedule
                                  Matched in Middle School Gym
Time       Mat #1                                                          Mat #2
5:00        SIR (NJ) vs. S9 All Stars                          D2 Ducks(PA) vs. Dark Nights WC(PA)
6:15         S9 All Stars vs. Dark Nights WC(PA)    D2 Ducks (PA) vs. SIR (NJ)
7:30        SIR (NJ) vs. Dark Nights WC (PA)        S9 All Stars vs. D2 Ducks (PA)

                                    Matches in Green Gym
5:00      Dark Nights WC (PA) – Team #2 vs. S9 All Stars – Team #2
6:15 – 8:00        Exhibition Matches 

           ***  $2 Fan Admission – All Proceeds Go To the Vespa Family  ***

Section 9 Wrestlers Competing:
109:  Gerard Daly (MV), Chris Cuccolo (PB)
116:  Dylan Booth (PJ), Damani Burns (NFA)
123:  John Stramiello (PB), Michael Raccioppi (MV)
129:  Joe Ginley (War), Alex Baum (MW)
135:  Bryan Mongiello (Wash), Tyler Rodriguez (Midd)
141:  Thomas Wightman (War), Brett Johnson (Corn)
148:  Quinn Zsido (Corn), Cory Cummings (VC)
155:  Dante Gianetta (Corn), Tyler Carlyon (NFA)
163:  Travis Edwards (PJ), AJ Voelker (MW)
173:  Dan DeCarlo (PJ), JP Vandercliff (MW)
185:  Vinny Nastro (Gosh), James Bethel (Saug)
198:  Randy Wilson (PJ)
223:  Jesse Corcoran (Eld), Josh Bonneau (MV)
288:  Terrence Cheeks (NFA), Tim Wade (Midd) 

Wrestling Community Needs To Come Together As Vinny Vespa Battles Cancer

Every so often, something happens that helps us keep our perspective …. provides clarity to the “big picture.” Sadly, our Section 9 wrestling community has been given such a reminder as we’ve recently learned that Monroe Woodbury wrestler Vinny Vespa has been diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that attacks lymphocytes, the cells that make up a person’s immune system. Stage 4 implies that the cancer has, unfortunately, not been detected early and it is rather advanced.

Fortunately for Vinny, he’s a wrestler. Wrestlers are physically and mentally the toughest athletes on the planet. Stage 4 lymphoma has no idea who he’s stepped on the mat against! Vespa is a 4X Youth Champion, 3rd at NHSCA MS Nationals, 3-year varsity starter, Kohl Tournament Champion, 2nd in S9, and a NYS tournament qualifier. Thanks in part to his trainer, John Rahn, Vinny is in tremendous physical condition. Monroe Woodbury head wrestling coach Steve Fischbein has said that “Pound for pound, Vinny is the toughest wrestler I’ve ever coached. “

Vespa also has a loving support system around him including a family that has not left his bedside. To help offset the astronomical costs associated with his treatment, the Friends of Section 9 and Forever Fierce will join forces and sell tee shirts that say “Vinny Vespa, BELIEVE .” All proceeds will go to the family. Information will be posted as it becomes available.

Stay strong Vinny….You’ve got this!!!