Pop & Flo National Duals Finals: Team X-Cel from NY Defeats NJ Powerhouse Apex

NY Stars Palacio and Realbuto Show Their Support For Vinny Vespa

Team X-Cel from Long Island defeated defending champions Apex of New Jersey by a score of 25-24 in the finals of the Pop & Flo National Duals held in Lake Placid, NY.  Pop & Flo is an alliance between Journeymen Wrestling and FloWrestling.  The National Duals, only in its second year, has quickly become one of the premier off-season tournaments in the country.  Below are the results from the finals between Team X-Cel and Apex….also check out the below links to FloWrestling and listen to NYS champions Brian Realbuto and Dylan Palacio offer their support to Monroe Woodbury wrestler Vinny Vespa.  Vespa, a 14-year old freshman, has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma.

                     Team X-Cel 25   Apex 24
106:  Rodriguez (X-Cel) over Suriano (Apex) 4-1
113:  Piccininni (X-Cel) over Travato (Apex) 6-2
120:  Gonzalez (Apex) over Skinner (X-Cel) 6-1                NY Stars Talk About Vespa on
125:  Olivia (Apex) over T. Passaro (X-Cel) 3-0                              FloWrestling
130:  McCabe (X-Cel) over Caputo (Apex) 10-3
135:  M. Passaro (X-Cel) over Lewis (Apex) 4-3          Palacio Interview   Realbuto Interview
140:  Estevez (Apex) over Dutton (X-Cel) 3-1
145:  Clagon (Apex) over Hernandez (X-Cel) wbf
152:  Dekrone (X-Cel) over Richardson (Apex) 1-0
160:  Hall(X-Cel) over Keena(Apex) 3-0                             
170:  Palacio (X-Cel) over Pafumi (Apex) 3-2
182:  Laughlin (Apex) over Seybolt (X-Cel) 3-2
195:  Rios (Apex) over Gironda (X-Cel) 1-0
220:  McMullen (Apex) over Drew (X-Cel) 8-5
285:  Salkey (X-Cel) over Spencer (Apex) 6-5

J Robinson Intensive Wrestling Camps Coming To New York

J Robinson Intensive Wrestling Camps are the only choice for the dedicated wrestler who wants to be continually challenged.  Focused and highly regimented training instills in wrestlers a new definition of hard work.  J Rob camps are about developing wrestling and life skills – which requires time, attitude, effort and above all – intensity.

Why choose J Robinson Intensive Camps?  Quite simply, The Change is Forever.

     * The #1 Intensive camp since 1978
     * Physically and mentally, the undisputed toughest camp in the nation
     * Over 30,000 wrestlers have earned the right to say “I Did It”
     * Led by 3X National Coach of the Year, Olympian and Army Ranger –  J Robinson

J Robinson and Beat The Streets have joined together to offer a camp for New York residents only!  Click below for the flyer.

                                       J Robinson New York Camp Flyer

 

Section 9 All-Stars (aka Team Vinny) finish 1-2 at DV Dual Event

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

Section 9 All-Star Dual Meet To Benefit Vespa Family

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) 

 

Cancer’s Toughest Opponent

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!!!

2012 ARMY WRESTLING CAMPS

           Leadership Wrestling Camps at West Point

"Build and Believe"

                       Featuring:
Joe Heskett
Head Coach Army Wrestling
NCAA Champion
4X NCAA All American
4X Academic All American
US National Champion
US World Team Member

                Also Featuring:
Dan Mitcheff – NCAA All American
Paul Young – 3X NCAA qualifier
Terrance Madden – NCAA DIII Champion
                 (Pine Bush graduate!!!)
           
                                        Army Wrestling Camps Brochure

Camp Dates
July 8-12      Ranger Intensive Camp
July 22-26   Two great youth camps to coose from
                      Competition Camp or Youth Camp

“All camps will incorporate leadership and life skill training by America’s finest officers, soldiers and leaders. Come as a camper, leave as a leader!”

 

CORNELL WRESTLING CONDUCTING CLINIC AT ASKREN WRESTLING ACADEMY

National Power To Conduct 2-Day Clinic In Westchester May 25th & 26th!!!

Do not miss out on this rare opportunity to learn the techniques that have made Cornell Wrestling a perennial national powerhouse!  The clinic will take place at the Askren Wrestling Academy in Somers, NY.

  AWA Website Including Registration Information

Some of the counselors will be:
   Rob Koll – NCAA Champ, Head Wrestling Coach of Cornell
   Damian Hahn – 2X NCAA Champ, Assistant Coach at Cornell
   Kyle Dake – 3X NCAA Champ, 2X NYS Champ, Lansing – Section 4
   Troy Nickerson – NCAA Champ, 5X NYS Champ, Chenango Forks -Section 4
   Steve Bosak – NCAA Champ
   Cam Simaz – NCAA Champ
    

 

Saugerties Grad Bermudez Notches 1st UFC Win

Congratulations to Saugerties HS graduate Dennis Bermudez for earning his first career UFC victory at UFC on Fox Diaz vs. Miller.  All three judges scored the fight 30-27 for Bermudez who used three slams and superior stand-up to control all three rounds.  Bermudez, who was a division 1 college wrestler for Bloomsburg, fights in the 145 pound featherweight division.  Click below to listen to Bermudez’s post-fight interview.

                                      Dennis Bermudez post-fight interview

RENZO GRACIE MMA ACADEMY GRAND OPENING

New Facility In Middletown Will Provide Another Training Option For Wrestlers!!!

Renzo Gracie MMA Academy offers specialized instruction for men, women, and children including MMA fitness classes , as well as top-notch training for the serious fighter!!!

                                                     Grand Opening Event This Weekend!!!
                              Come Meet the Legends…Free Clinics…Q&A… Autographs

     –  Renzo Gracie – UFC Legend and member of the first family of MMA
     –  Jimmy Pedro – Olympic Medalist ans 2012 Olympic Judo Coach
     –  Ron Jones – 2X NCAA All American and former Rutgers Wrestling Head Coach

           *** Sign up now and take advantage of exclusive Grand Opening pricing options***
                                                          *** Limited Spots Available***

     Date/Time:  Friday May 4th from 12:00 pm until 10:00 pm
                              Saturday May 5th from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm

     Location:  Appliance City Plaza  680 Route 211 East, Middletown, NY 10941

                                        www.RenzoGracieMMAacademy.com
    

Palacio Chooses Cornell

2012 NYS Champion Dylan Palacio has decided to continue his wrestling career at Cornell University.  The senior from Long Beach High School in Long Island (Section 8 ) has had one of the most dominating seasons in New York high school wrestling history.  Just a few of Palacio’s highlights from 2011-2012 include: 
      

      –  Eastern States Classic champ @ 152 defeating fellow Cornell recruit Brian Realbuto
      –  NYS D1 champ @ 160 
      –  pinned undefeated NJ state champ Raamiah Bethea @ NY/NJ Charity Challenge
      –  NHSCA Senior National Champion at Virginia Beach.
Palacio is now training hard in the Olympic styles because his next goal is to take home the gold from Fargo in July.  Congratulations on choosing Cornell and good luck in the future Dylan!!!

For a great article about Palacio’s college selection check out Besty Veysman’s article at newyorkwrestlingnews.com