New York Wrestling

Josh Glenn of American University and defending NCAA Div.1 Champion won the 2007 Midlands Championships over the week-end. Josh is a former NYS Champion from Johnson City HS (Sec. 4).....click here for full results
On Tuesday, January 8^th, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association�s Wrestling Committee is scheduled to meet and consider a proposal that would institute state regional tournaments as part of the New York State Wrestling Championships. Click for proposed regional alignment Division 1, Division 2. Click for the proposal.
For the first time in New York State history, there are three former New York Sate Champions with Ruggirello, Gillespie and Glenn ranked number 1 in the USA Today/NWCA Division1 Rankings............click here for team and individual college rankings
Hofstra Goes 5-5 in dual matches and lose 20-16 to Oklahoma State University in the Northeast Duals in Troy, NY. Lou Ruggirello Jr. coming off wins over the number 2nd and 3rd ranked wrestlers and defeats Coleman Scott, top ranked wrestler in DIV. 1 ...click here for some of the results
The Annual NWCA All-Star Wrestling Meet with Hofstra University wrestlers Lou Ruggirello and Charles Griffin representing the East Team. The All-Star match will be shown in its entirety on CSTV Wednesday evening at 8:30pm.

New York State Wrestling A leader in developing wrestling from Youth through the Olympics

It is unbelievable that 4 coaches of the 10 selected by USA Wrestling were trained entirely through the New York State Wrestling Federation and its Public Schools systems.

It is not where you begin, but were it ends.

What a great day for New York State wrestling�.. four our finest is being considered for the highest honor bestowed on any coach.

Representing the United States of America in the Olympic Games. China 08-08-0. Sheldon, Seras,McCoy and Rosselli named finalists for U.S. Olympic Team Freestyle and Greco- Roman Coach positions .....click for article

NJ Night of Champions brings tears, laughter and joy

Larry Nugent USA Wrestling
10/26/2007

SHORT HILLS, N.J. - Inside a packed Hilton Short Hills Ballroom, the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Sport of Wrestling co-mingled to provide an unforgettable experience at the NJ Night of Champions on Saturday, October 20.

The overall theme of this special evening was celebrating the Olympic relationship between America and China.

After a boisterous cocktail party, an authentic Olympic torch from the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games was the focus of a back and forth auction between wrestling supporters David and Kathy Welch and National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Stan Dziedzic. In the end it was Welch, the former Indiana University wrestler, who prevailed in the auction.

Soon after, the heart and soul of the evening began. With seven members of his historic 1972 Munich U.S. Olympic Freestyle Team gathered on the stage as witnesses, Head Coach Bill Farrell was presented with a USA Wrestling Lifetime Achievement Award.

Once the team was seated on the stage, a video highlighting Farrell�s athletic career and his business and personal achievements was shown. Clips from the 1972 Olympic television broadcast appeared with Ken Kraft and Frank Gifford doing the commentary. Concluding the video was Farrell�s appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in which Carson and Farrell discussed the Olympic freestyle wrestling team�s incredible performance in Munich. They displayed hilarious physical comedy as Farrell taught Carson the finer points of the sport.

After accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award from USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender, Farrell took the podium and delivered a stirring and emotional acceptance speech.

First he related his wife Lorraine�s fears about flying in the helicopter provided to bring the Farrell family to NJ from his home in Long Island. Accompanying the Farrell�s were daughter Leigh and son Kyle. Then he recognized his friends and business partners in attendance before focusing on the team he will be forever linked with.

The 1972 Olympic Freestyle team had a remarkable performance. The United States had mot won wrestling gold medals since the 1960 Rome Olympics. Under Farrell�s guidance, Dan Gable, Wayne Wells and Ben Peterson won Gold Medals, John Peterson and the late Rick Sanders won silver medals and the late Chris Taylor won a bronze medal. This team captured the attention of the Olympic family with its success and personality.

Members of this historic team in attendance were Sergio Gonzalez, Dan Gable, Wayne Wells, John Peterson and Wayne Baughman (Greco-Roman), plus coaches Bill Weick and Jim Peckham and official Vince Zuaro�..click here for the rest of the article

There were many other special moments during this evening of celebration.,

According to Peter Ueberroth, the U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman and former Los Angeles Olympic Games Organizing Committee Chairman , when China refused to join the 1984 Olympic Games boycott it was a pivotal moment for the LA Games and for the survival of the Olympic movement.

The organizers of the NJ Night of Champions felt a good way to celebrate the Olympic relationship between the USA and China was to bring back 1984 Olympians from the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

Representing the Peoples Republic of China at the event was �Jenny� Lang Ping, a member of the 1984 Gold Medal Olympic Volleyball Team.

Representing the 1984 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Teams were athletes Mark Fuller, Bobby Weaver, Randy Lewis, Andy Rein, Steve Fraser, Dan Chandler, Ed Banach and Bruce Baumgartner. Representing the late Dave Schultz was his wife Nancy Schultz. The head coach of the freestyle team, Dan Gable, and the assistant coach of the Greco-Roman team, Floyd Winter, also joined the team. Hall of Fame Official Vince Zuaro, who worked the 1984 Games, was also on hand to join the celebration.

Ambassador Bin Ho, from the Peoples Republic of China�s New York Consulate, received an award commemorating China�s decision to join the 1984 Olympic Games.

Olympisim can help create understanding in the world. A great example of this is the Far Hills Country Day School, a local elementary school that has pioneered the study of Mandarin in its early childhood international language studies. This school was selected as a local benefactor from the event.

The Far Hills Country Day begins the study of Mandarin culture in pre-school and continues through the sixth grade. The school is also celebrating Physical Education during this Olympic year and will apply the funds received from the Night of Champions to support the construction its new Physical Education facility.

Far Hills Country Day School�s Head of School Jayne Geiger addressed the audience and spoke about the origination of the Mandarin program. She explained how special it was for the school to be touched by the Olympic Movement in this way, especially with the Beijing Olympic Games imminent. Several tables at the event were filled with teachers, parents and supporters from the school, and the whole ballroom erupted with applause as Geiger and the Chinese Ambassador unveiled a plaque that will be permanently attached to the new physical education facility commemorating the event.

Images of the event can be viewed by going to www.stephentaylorphoto.com and navigate to �your online images� and then �fundraising events�.

Matt Valenti

Assistant Coach- Columbia University

Matt Valenti, a two time NCAA Champion from the University of Penn will be the featured clinician on Thursday 6pm-8pm at Hunter College Wrestling room. The Beat the Streets Developmental Training Program is open to all high school wrestlers in the Metropolitan area.

Several coaches from Long Island and Section 9 have called and will be coming down with a few wrestlers. Each week more and more wrestlers and coaches are gravitating into Hunter to see the best of the best. These All-American mentors are the centerpiece of the effort of volunteers who want the mission to succeed in New York City.

It�s Building��

New York City seeking Teachers and Coaches �.click here for more information

New Wrestling Official and Coaching Candidates Needed for New York City

New York City wrestling through the Partnership of the PSAL and Beat the Streets Wrestling Inc., have added 15 new high school teams and 20 new middle school programs for the upcoming season.

The rapid growth has seen the number of teams expand from 25 high school teams in 2005 to 45 high schools and 60 middle schools in the upcoming season. By the year 2010, there will be a total of 195 high school and middle school wrestling teams in New York City.

Anyone interested in coaching wrestling for the 2007/2008 season, should send an email with contact information to Michael Cigala, Executive Director of the Beat the Streets Wrestling Inc. mcigalabts@yahoo.com

Anyone interested in Officiating with the dates, time, location and fees please contact the PSAL/BTS Commissioner Larry Cantor at LCantor2@schools.nyc.gov Officials Clinics will require joining the Association and attendance at 6-8 instructional meetings with a written and practical test.

Coaching and Official Classes will begin around 10/1/07.

Coaches Clinics have been scheduled for October and November�. log on to www.beat-the-streets.org for dates and locations

In Memoriam

Tod Giles

1962-20

Letter to the wrestling community

Pat Popolizio, Head Coach at Binghamton University, will be conducting a Clinic for Wrestlers and Coaches on Sat. Oct. 7th at Washingtonville HS [Sec. 9] from 5pm-8pm.

The following day, the Friends of Section 9 Wrestling will kick-off the Fall Wrestling Season with the Annual Hudson Valley Challenge on Sunday, October 8, 2007 with competition on the Elementary, Middle School and HS Levels.......click here for more information

Journeyman Wrestling Club, Albany NY [Sec. 2] participated in a Cultural Exchange Program with Italy touring several cities with wrestling competition. Frank Popolizio, Club Coach and Director organized the trip and currently is playing host to Italian Olympian Michele Liuzzi training at the Schalmont HS site.

Journeyman Wrestling Club

John Paris, Ty White, Brain Borst, Zach �Max� Diekel, Robert Romeo, Zach Clemente, Robert Merchant and Dan Riggi made up the squad. It was one of the most rewarding things Journeymen Wrestling has ever done!

New York State with 11 All-Americans finished in second place behind Minnesota for the 2007 USAW Asics National Jr. Greco-Roman Championships held in Fargo, ND....click here for full team and Individual Results of New York State

Downey, Shewprashad win Beach World Team Trials in Rochester, N.Y., as U.S. World Team is set...click here for story

Big Apple Games Adds Wrestling ...click for article

New York State finishes in 5th Place in USA Wrestling 2007 National Team Duals in Oklahoma City, OK. The Duals were won by the State of Illinois who defeated Minnesota in the finals.

The Jr. Duals are underway with the finals scheduled for Sunday July 1st........click here for NYS Team results"

A New York State Team organized and coached by Tim Godoy {Sec.8} Uniondale HS and Rob Shaver {Sec.8} Plainedge HS traveled to Delaware for the annual 2007 Brute Showcase Duals. PA won for the 5th time defeating another PA Team. New Jersey was the winner in the pool with New York State finishing 3-2 in the Pool competition......click here for all pool results.

New York State Continues its great year in national level competition at the NHSCA National Championships in Virginia Beach over the week-end. The New York State Team was FIRST in the Freshman Division, First in the Sophomore Division, Second in the Junior Division and 4th in the Senior Division.....click here for complete results and bracket

NY-USAW has begun the "Road to Fargo" by scheduling Jr. and Cadet Freestyle Qualifiers through-out New York State.

In order to qualify for the New York State Jr. and Cadet Freestyle and Greco-Roman Championships you must enter a qualifier. Check the schedule and what's new for any upcoming spring tournaments.

At the most recent NCAA Championships in Detroit, the vast majority of Champions, finalists and 80 All-Americans had one aspect in common, they were past Freestyle or Greco Roman Jr. All-Americans. Without a doubt, spring and summer wrestling makes winter champions.

The investments of time, talent and treasure are well worth it as a wrestler, coach, parent or fan providing the effort to expand the base of wrestling in the United States. By joining USA Wrestling today helps maximize the potential of fulfilling the dreams of wrestlers who compete at the highest level of wrestling at state, regional and national competition.

Join a club or form a club, donate time as an official, pairings person, club coach etc. and promote the "oldest and greatest sport of wrestling". click for the schedule of events

Editorial Comment

2007 NCAA Division One Wrestling Championship

"In referring to the British People during the Second World War, Prime Minister Winston Churchill said "this is our finest hour".
The past week-end in the Palace at Auburn Hills was

New York State "Finest Hour".

CHAMPIONS- Gregor Gillespie- Edinboro University[Section 5]

                       Joshua Glenn- American University [Sec. 4]

Third Place- Troy Nickerson- Cornell University [Sec.4]

                    Charles Griffen- Hofstra University
                    Chris Weidman- Hofstra University[Sec. 8]

Fourth Place- Jamie Strauss- Hofstra University [Sec. 8]

Fifth Place- J.P. O'Connor- Harvard University [Sec. 4]

Sixth Place- Mike Patrovich- Hofstra University [Sec. 11]

                    Joshua Arnone- Cornell University

Eight Place- Jordan Leen- Cornell

                    Joshua Arnone- Cornell


2007 NCAA Championship complete results ....click for brackets

The NCAA Wrestling Championship finals will be in a primetime time slot on ESPN at 8:00 p.m.

NCAA Quarter Final Matches are on ESPNU Today Friday 2:00 till 5:00 EST

7th Annual USGWA New York Girls Wrestling State Championships OPEN
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, Richmondville, New York
School Address: 1353 State Route 7, Richmondville, NY 12149
Elementary, Jr.HS, HS and College Tournament will be contested. Girls wrestling is the fastest growing girls sport in the United States........ click here for more information

What a great week-end of wrestling for New York State!

Beginning with the expanded New York State High School Intersectional Wrestling Championships where for the first time in its 48 year history was opened to more qualifiers with 480 wrestlers in Division One and Two participating from all 13 Sections of the State.

The additional 285 wrestlers have become a reality since the effort by the NYSWCA in 1999 asking and demanding from the NYSPHSAA through legislation to expand the Championships and allow more student athletes a chance to compete in the prestigious event. The Tournament Committee and the Sectional Chairman are to be commended for their leadership in working through the system and getting it done.

Congratulations to Section Five for the awesome display of talent and depth by winning both Division One and Division Two Team Championships. Special recognition to Warsaw High School [Sec.5] and Shenendehowa HS [Sec.2] for winning the individual team titles in Div. One and Two Dual Meet Championships.

Prior to the Championships and capping off a great week-end for Section Five with Spencerport High School being honored as the top Dual Meet Team by the NYSSWA in Division One and Waverly HS [Sec.4] for winning Division Two.

New York State College Wrestling Accolades: Congratulations to Hunter College, New York City and Terry Madden, Pine Bush HS[Sec.9] for winning the NCAA College Division Championships. Special recognition to two of the country's top Division 1 Wrestling Programs with Cornell University winning the EIWA and Hofstra University the CAA Team Championships.

Thirty-five New York State College Wrestlers have qualified to participate in the NCAA Division 1 Championships being held in Detroit March 15-17. Nineteen of these wrestlers are home grown New York State wrestlers.......click here for a list of these qualifiers

The results of the New York State Wrestling Championships in the premium subscription link....click here for more results

New York State Expands Wrestling Championships with 125 additional wrestlers participating in the upcoming New York State Championship�click here for more details

Corey Jantzen, Shoreham-Wading River HS (Sec.11)and Mike Chaires, CBA (Sec.2) were selected to the USA All-Star Team for the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic, the most prestigious high school all-star wrestling meet in the United States....click here for the press release

New York City to Host Major College Showdown Double Header

At 1PM -Columbia University, winner of the 2007 New York State College Championships last week-end in Buffalo, will be hosting # 24th ranked Lehigh University in a College Dual Meet in Lewin Gym.......click here for more information

After the completion of the meet grab some lunch and head downtown to the New York Athletic Club at 5PM and enjoy Lehigh wrestling Hofstra University Two of the nations Top Wrestling Programs. With #6 ranked Hofstra University hosting Lehigh University. Hofstra is coming off a 6th place finish in the National Team Duals last week-end in Iowa.

Columbia University wins the new York State Collegiate Championships�.click here for full results

The MWA announces the 4^th Annual Mayors� Cup of New York City being one of the largest wrestling tournaments ever held in New York State with 40 teams and over 500 wrestlers�..click here for more information

Islip Wins the Eastern States with 53 schools entered from 6 states in the prestigious tournament sponsored by the Friends of Section 9 Wrestling Inc.....click here for full results

2007 UE Duals Championship Final- Spencerport over Fulton 26-15

1st - Spencerport
2nd - Fulton
3rd/ 4th Islip/ East Meadow
5th - Chenago Forks
6th - Waverly
7th - Sayville
8th - Johnson City
Click for results

"Where the Best Challenge the Best to Be #1 in NYS" Match-ups selected by the voting of the Tournament committee matching up the teams by NYSSWA rankings and sections avoiding intersectional competition until the Semi-final round. ...click for the pairings

Cornell University will be hosting Penn State University on Sunday, Jan. 7th at 1PM. Prior to the College Dual, two of NYS States top dual teams Islip HS [ Sec. 11] will be meeting one of New Jersey top state and nationally ranked team's Jackson HS , while Macarthur HS [Sec. 8l will be meeting Newark Valley HS [Sec. 4] in a 10am preliminary duals ....click here for more info

NYU, one of the leading universities in the United States, is offering a Grant Scholarship program for all students who qualify. If there are potential student athletes eligible, please contact the wrestling office at NYU for more information....click here for announcement

Hofstra does it again with a great win over previously undefeated Penn State 24-10 looking towards number 1 ranking in the nation after defeating Minnesota earlier in the year! click here for full results

Major Showdown of nationally ranked NCAA Division 1 Programs with #5 Hofstra taking on #7 Penn State at the Mack Arena on Sunday Dec. 10 1PM. Hofstra needs 1 more thing to reach the top of college wrestling and that is a �full house�. Make every effort to attend and support college wrestling in New York State.

On Sat. the Pride Club will be hosting a Dinner for all its donors and wrestling club members with guest speaker, Chris Bevilacqua, former two time All-American from Massapequa�.click here for press release

Hofstra stuns top ranked Minnesota at Northeast Duals �click for press release

Two of the nation�s top wrestling coaches will be visiting New York State over the Thanksgiving Day week-end. The number 1 ranked team, University of Minnesota�s and Coach J. Robinson will battle 7 other teams in the 2006 Journeyman/Brute Northeast Collegiate Duals being held on Saturday, November 25 at Guilderland HS.

John Smith, Oklahoma State University, winner of the last 4 NCAA Wrestling Team Championships has been invited by the Governor of Oklahoma to represent the state in the Macy�s Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Oklahoma is celebrating its 100^th Anniversary of Statehood and will have its own FLOAT in the Parade.

The following day John Smith and his entire family will travel to Thomas Edison High School in Jamaica, Queens for a Dedication and Ceremony of a new wrestling mat. The Dollamur wrestling mat was Donated by the family and has John's accomplishments imprinted inside the Olympic rings of the two Championships he won in 1988 and 1992 in addition to 4 world championships.

The new wrestling mat donated by the John Smith family has been given to the school as it renews its wrestling program. Larry Cantor, PSAL Wrestling Commissioner, will introduce John Smith to the schools administration and wrestling team.

The Beat the Streets Wrestling Program has developed a Partnership with the DOE/PSAL agreeing to adding 80 middle and 35 high school programs in the next 3 years. The Beat the Streets Program, created in 2005 with 1 program, has begun its 2006-2007 season with 41 middle schools participating in grades 6-8. The PSAL has also added 5 new high school programs this season and will add 15 more high school programs next year. Under the leadership of the PSAL/BTS Program, 1 million dollars has been given to the DOE/PSAL for the coaching staffs and additional 1 million dollars will be provided securing all the mats and equipment needed for a quality high school program.

New York City has many teaching and coaching openings with increased funding of 13 billion dollars from the New York City and NYS Legislature for new school construction in the next 5 years. For more information on teaching positions log on to http://schools.nyc.gov/default.aspx

NHSCA to Host Leadership Workshop ....click here for more information

Downey, Borzio win Bronze Medals in the inaugural World Beach Wrestling Championships with Carlos Dolmo placing fifth. All wrestlers were Champions at the 2^nd annual Asics East Coast Championships sponsored by the Metropolitan Wrestling Association in August�.click here for press release

Troy Nickerson, Matt Herrington and Jerry Rinaldi to Wrestle in Prestigious NWCA All-Star Classic �click here for full match-ups

World Championships results: Greco-roman, Freestyle, Women's Freestyle

Kristie Marano wins her record eighth World Championships medal after collecting a bronze medal ...click for article

Patricia Miranda wins bronze medal at World Championships ...click for article

U.S. places third in freestyle at World Wrestling Championships ...click for article

ZADICK IS GOLDEN!!!! Bill Zadick wins World Championship, Pritzlaff wins bronze as U.S. leads team race click for article

Mike Zadick wins silver, Sammie Henson captures bronze at World Championships; U.S. tied for team lead ...click for article

New York City Department of Education announces an historic opportunity for expanding wrestling programs in the largest school system in the United States�click here for Press Release

Medal count stands at three for American Greco-Roman team at World Championships; U.S. still has the unofficial lead in the team race ..click for article

Golden Boy! Warren captures World Championship while Durlacher, Lester win bronze on banner day for U.S. Greco-Roman team .....click for article

Binghamton University to host a High School Statewide D2 Tournament with the goal of the event becoming the unofficial NYS Dual Meet Champions along the same lines as the highly successful UE Duals ��..for more information click here

Hofstra All-American Mike Patrovich returning for 2006-2007 season ...click for press release

The Friends of Section 9 Wrestling Inc. kicks off the fall wrestling program by announcing the 5^th Annual Hudson Valley Challenge at Washingtonville HS��.Click here for complete listing of all Fall Camps, Clinics and Competitions

Real Pro Wrestling announces its YEAR TWO Schedule with new Qualifiers and an exciting format for the fledgling Professional Wrestling organization introduced to the World in 2005 with 10 one hour shows on the PAX Network. Season Two television will be announced later this fall during the regional qualifier events.

The NCWA, an organization that has been constantly expanding in leaps and bounds the last few years are a program created by Jim Giunta of Dallas, Texas. The NCWA has emanated from the devastating blow caused by the misinterpretation of 1972 Title IX law during the 1990�s that has caused college wrestling eliminating over 400 NCAA and Jr. College Wrestling Programs.

New York State was decimated as well. The National College Wrestling Association has well over 200 of these eliminated programs participating in wrestling through a College Club system under the sponsorship of the organization.

The effect of Title IX has caused the elimination of teams being reduced to 84 NCAA Division 1 programs. The law eliminated thousands of slots for high school wrestlers continuing participating in wrestling. The trickle down effect has been that we have less wrestlers participating today than we did during the 1970�s.

The national club-wrestling program is a great program to provide extended wrestling opportunities to these disenfranchised student athletes.. .�.click here to review some of the events being held in New York State and if possible, support this great initiative to keep kids wrestling�

Ray Downey of Long Island and Carlos Dolmo of New York City win USA Wrestling inaugural Beach Wrestling National Championships titles. Both have been two time winners of the Asics East Coast Championships prior to winning their national titles�.click here for full results

The second annual Asics East Coast Beach Championships attracts 250 wrestlers from 9 states and 3 countries on a beautiful Beach weather over the week-end. �.click here for results

2006-07 Individual Pre-Season Rankings Posted

Division 1 Division 2

Beach Wrestling series travels to Long Beach, N.Y. this weekend, with U.S. Nationals in Palm Beach, Fla. August 19-20 ...click for press release

New York State has 5 Jr. Freestyle All-Americans in Fargo with Ryan Patrovich , runner-up for the second time, Eric Decker wins a bronze, JP O�Conner , Michael Chaires 4^th and Cody Dill 7^th�..click here for all NYS Results

New York places Ryan Patrovich in the Finals of the Jr. Freestyle Championship with Decker, O�Connor, Chaires and Dill all in the consolation finals becoming All-Americans�.click here for finals match-ups

Saturday & Sunday, March 8-9, 2008
Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY

Chenango Forks (Sec.4) Kiefer Snyder controls J.J. Larkin Brentwood HS (Sec.11) at the UE-Duals State Cup Championships

Lou Ruggerello and Joe Ruvolo Defeat Nationally Ranked Opponents in a Thrilling College Dual in front of 3000 Fans at the Mack Arena on the Campus of Hofstra University!

Tyler McCormick, ranked 3rd was being handled before being pinned and Joe "outfunked" Max Akren ranked 4th.

Missouri Ranked 6th on the Nation Comes From Behind for 22-21 Win Over No. 13 Hofstra...click here for College Results

Saturday & Sunday, March 8-9, 2008 Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY

Chenango Forks (Sec.4) Kiefer Snyder controls J.J. Larkin Brentwood HS (Sec.11) at the UE-Duals State Cup Championships

Lou Ruggerello and Joe Ruvolo Defeat Nationally Ranked Opponents in a Thrilling College Dual in front of 3000 Fans at the Mack Arena on the Campus of Hofstra University!

Tyler McCormick, ranked 3rd was being handled before being pinned and Joe "outfunked" Max Akren ranked 4th.

Missouri Ranked 6th on the Nation Comes From Behind for 22-21 Win Over No. 13 Hofstra...click here for College Results

Saturday & Sunday, March 8-9, 2008
Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY