SECTION 9 WRESTLING

Newton, NJ Wrestler To Compete at Olympic Trials

Matt Valenti has won dozens of wrestling tournaments in his life.  If he wins his next one, he could be an Olympian.  Valenti, who graduated just across the Section 9 border at Kittatinny Regional High School, is making his final preparations for the US Olympic Team Trials which take place on Saturday and Sunday in Iowa.  He wrestles in the freestyle division and competes at 60KG (132.25 lbs).  The 2012 Olympics will be held in London, England.

If Valenti is able to win the 60KG weight class this weekend, he still is not guaranteed an Olympic bid.  Because the United States has not yet qualified for the Olympics at 60KG in freestyle, USA Wrestling has decided that two of the top wrestlers at this weight, Reece Humphrey and Shawn Bunch, will not be entered in the 2012 US Olympic Team Trials and will instead continue to prepare for a World Olympic Qualifying tournament in China.  If either Humphrey or Bunch are able to qualify the US at 60KG, they will be given a chance to challenge the winner of this weekend’s tournament for the Olympic spot. 

Valenti graduated from high school in 2002 as a 2X New Jersey state champion.  During his senior year, he finished second at the high school nationals and first at the freestyle Junior Nationals.  After graduating high school, Valenti took his talents to the Ivy League where he wrestled for the University of Pennsylvania.  In college, Valenti was a 2X NCAA champion at 133 pounds and finished 5th at 125 pounds as a sophomore thus making him a 3X NCAA D1 All-American!

Since college, Valenti has served as an assistant coach for Columbia (2007-2009) and Penn (2009-current) while simultaneously training for for the London 2012 Olympics.  He had this to say about his Olympic aspirations.  “I’m really excited to compete at the Olympic Trials. It is a childhood dream of mine to represent the United States at the Olympic Games and to bring home a gold medal. I’ve dedicated so much of my life to accomplishing this goal and no matter what happens I know that I will have given my all. I’m thankful for all of the support of family, friends and coaches that I’ve had along the way.”   

Matt, you can rest assured that the entire Section 9 wrestling community is rooting for you!  Good luck!!!

NY native Pat Popolizio has resigned as the head wrestling coach for Binghamton University and will become the new head coach for North Carolina State.  Popolizio graduated from Niskayuna High School (Section 2) and was a NYS Champion in 1996.  After high school Popolizio wrestled for John Smith at Oklahoma State where he was a 3X national qualifier.  New York’s loss is North Carolina’s gain….few people have done more to promote wrestling in New York than Coach Popolizio.  There is no word yet on his replacement at Binghamton.  SectionIXWrestling.com would like to wish Pat the best of luck in his new position. 

NC State website story

Scott Casber’s interview with Popolizio on TDR

The Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association (MAWA) North Regional tournament was held this weekend at Shamokin High School in Coal Township, PA.  As soon as www.sectionixwrestling.com gets the completed brackets, they will be posted.  For the time being, I will post any individual results that I receive. 

MAWA North Regional Results

Michael Raccioppi – Minisink Valley – 1st Place
Travis Edwards – Port Jervis – 1st Place
Jalen Palmer – Delaware Valley – 1st Place
PJ Smoot – Monroe Woodbury – 2nd Place
Sam Weinger – Washingtonville – 2nd Place
Frankie Carrozza – Delaware Valley – 3rd Place
Mason Rambarose – Minisink Valley – 4th Place
Nicky Wentland – Minisink Valley – 6th Place

Eastern States Classic champs Dylan Palacio and Tony Lock claim Senior National Titles!!!

New York wrestlers Dylan Palacio and Tony Lock claimed individual titles at this weekend’s NHSCA Senior Nationals Wrestling Championships held in Virginia Beach.  Not surprising….both wrestlers were also 2012 Eastern States Classic champions.  A third New Yorker, Sean McCabe of Connetquot (Section 11), was able to make it to the finals before dropping a 7-4 decision to Josh Rodriguez of California. 

Long Beach High School’s (Section 8 ) Dylan Palacio capped off on incredible, undefeated season by claiming the national title at 152 pounds.  Palacio’s magical season has included victories over nationally-ranked wrestlers Brian Realbuto (NY), Raamiah Bethea (NJ), and Austin Trott (GA). 

Pioneer High School’s (Section 6) Tony Lock was crowned national champion at 182 pounds.  Lock also finished the year undefeated and was able to finish on top of a podium that included nationally-ranked wrestlers Kyle Crutchmer (OK), Taylor McGiffen (IL), and Jack DeChow (IL). 

NHSCA Senior Nationals – Final Results                                            Top 5 States
106:  Phazon Roddy (NC) dec Alvaro Gallego (AZ) 10-3                             1:  California
113:  Vito Pasone (PA) dec Braun Marquez (TX) 9-3                                   2:  New York
120:  Josh Rodriguez (CA) dec Sean McCabe (NY) 7-4                               3:  New Jersey
126:  Nathan Kraisser (MD) major Hunter Weber (WI) 9-0                     4:  Michigan
132:  Mark Grey (NJ) dec Cole Mendenhall (MT) 7-2                                 5:  Kansas
138:  Natrelle Demison major Cole Moseley (TN) 11-1
145:  Alex Richardson (NJ) dec Dylan Cottrell (WV) 3-2 ot ride-out
152:  Dylan Palacio (NY) dec Austin Trott (GA) 6-2
160:  Clark Glass (FL) dec Taylor Lewandowski (MN) 9-4
170:  Matt Reed (KS) dec Jordan Thomas (MI) 3-1
182:  Tony Lock (NY) dec Nolan Boyd (OK) 5-4 ot utb
195:  Timothy Dudley (SC) pinned JT Goodwin (CA) 3:30
220:  Richard Black (CA) major David Luke Wislon (AL) 10-2
285:  Doug Vallaro (FL) dec Austin Goergen (MN) 10-6