Lions Wrestling THE ROAR Farrell Lions Wrestling Winter 2016-2017 Volume 3 Lions Wrestling 2016-2017 Season MANY THANKS The 2016-17 wrestling season was one for the ages! The Monsignor Farrell wrestling team fielded a squad of seasoned upperclassman and a deep freshman class. There was a change in leadership on the coaching side. Coaches Rob Pavis and Phil Squatrito stepped away from the program and we are all grateful for their service. Coach Peter Hamm was named Head Coach while Coach Harry Roberts remained an integral part of the staff and Rrok Ndokaj Class of 2012 and former Division I wrestler for SUNY Buffalo was named JV Head Coach. In addition, Ray Brinzer, All-American for Iowa and Oklahoma State, joined the staff and is our new Head Technician. We continue to be fortunate that Coach David Ironman remains to oversee the program and mentor the staff and wrestlers. The team was led by Captains Steven Roberts (Sr.), David Flynn (Sr.) and Nicholas O Byrne (Sr.). With such a deep team, expectations were high. The Friends of Lions Wrestling and the coaching staff realize how lucky we are to have the support of our Alumni, Monsignor Farrell High School, our supportive parents, friends and devoted fans. Many of you donate your time and resources to help the program. We thank you for your generosity. Wrestling is a vehicle that can help our students overcome adversity, better themselves, achieve goals, get into colleges and become contributing members of our community. Thank you for helping to pave this road.
The season started off with the Grapple at the Garden which is a great experience for both wrestlers and their families. It is not every day that you get to compete at Madison Square Garden. The team took home 3rd Place behind returning State Champions Long Beach and perennial state contender Wantagh. Taking home 1st place honors were Terry Adams 106lbs, Steven Isaac 145lbs (Sr.), and Steven Roberts 182lbs (Sr.). Second place finishers included James Ryan 113lbs (So.) and Robbie Scopelliti 138lbs (Sr.). Bringing home 3rd place medals included Max Ebanks 99lbs (Fr.), David Flynn 170lbs (Sr.), and Nick Romanello 285lbs (Sr.). The highlight of the event was Steven Isaac defeating Jacori Teemer 3X State Champ in the finals. The following weekend was a split squad. Half the squad went to Macarthur Tourney in Long Island and the other went to W.C. Bryant duals. At Macarthur, the Lions performed well taking home 1st place medals which included Max Ebanks (Fr.) 99lbs, Terry Adams (So.) 106lbs, Steven Roberts 182lbs, Nick Romanello (Sr.) 285. David Flynn took home 2nd place. Steven Isaac took home 3rd place. Max Ebanks won the award for most pins in least amount of time. At W. C. Bryant Freshman Dan Adams went 7-0 and Vincent Ndokaj (Jr.) went 6-1. ORANGE GLOW
Staten Island Duals/Mamaroneck Lion Grapplers Next, the Lions attended the Staten Island Duals at Tottenville H.S. and the Mamaroneck Tourney. The Lion grapplers again split the squad. The SI Duals feature all the top teams from the Island. Farrell went 8-0 at the SI Duals the final match was vs. Tottenville which the Lions won by a score of 48-32. The Lions had sent 5 starters to the Mamaroneck tourney the same weekend. At Mamaroneck Terry Adams and Robbie Scopelliti brought home gold and Scopelliti was named the tourney Most Outstanding Wrestler (MOW). Taking home silver were Michael Lanza 160lbs (Sr.), Steven Roberts 182lbs, and Nick Romanello 285lbs. Mike Carroll 220/285lbs had a breakthrough weekend securing multiple wins for the Lions. Fordham Prep hosted the CHSAA city duals this year and the Lions competed against Archbishop Stepinac and Fordham Prep. This was a bracketed tourney with the Lions facing Fordham Prep in the Finals. The Lions made quick work of the Rams winning 65-15. The next tournament was the Massapequa Holiday Tournament which is one of the top tournaments in the state. The Lions sent a skeleton crew to the event. Taking home 2nd place was James Ryan 113lbs losing to state ranked Vespa from Monroe Woodbury. Third place finishers included Max Ebanks 99lbs and Mike Lanza 160lbs. During the holiday break the team competed against Brooklyn Tech. The Lions rolled past the PSAL foe defeating the team 63-16. Brooklyn Tech later went on to win the PSAL crown this year. This put an exclamation point on how far ahead this team was verses the rest of the city competition. Back from Christmas break the team faced off against local teams New Dorp and St. Joseph by the Sea at home. The match took place in the cafeteria which many of you know as our old practice room. The Lions won both matches defeating New Dorp 65-18 and St. Joe s 75-12.
David Ironman Invitational The Ironman Tradition The first Saturday in January is always slated for the David Ironman Invitational This is the longest running tournament in New York City. It is widely considered the most competitive tournament in the city as well. This year it was a two team race; with Monsignor Farrell and Columbia, a Section II powerhouse. The finals had multiple matchups between the 2 teams. At 99lbs and 106lbs the Lions had to face their teammates. Terry Adams and Frank Kost faced each other at 99lbs with Adams winning the bout. At 106lbs it was Max Ebanks and Dan Adams squaring off Dan Adams scored a last second reversal to get the win. Bringing home first place included Terry Adams, Dan Adams, Rob Scopelliti, Steve Isaac, Vin Ndokaj, Michael Lanza, Steve Roberts and Nick Romanello. Second place finishers included James Ryan, Nick O Byrne 120lbs (Sr.), Jack Reusing 126lbs (Fr.). Third place honors went to Justice Accetta 160lbs (Jr.), and David Flynn 170lbs. Highlights included James Jommy Ryan defeating David Traub from Tottenville in the Semi-finals at 113lbs avenging a loss from the previous year. Nick Romanello received the Most Outstanding Wrestler (MOW). The Lions won the team title with a win in the finals by Steven Roberts over Columbia High School. It was only the 3 rd time in the 34 year history of the tournament. Eastern States A Few to Represent The team sent a handful of wrestlers to the prestigious Eastern States Tournament at Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake, NY. The tournament is widely considered the most competitive tournament on the East Coast. Terry Adams finished 2nd at the tournament this is quite an achievement and doing it at a sophomore. Steve Isaac went 2-2 respectively at the event. Mayors Cup Best in the City The Mayor s Cup Tournament Best in the City includes every team from New York City. It aligns Catholic, Public and Private Schools alike in search of a true city Champion. This year the venue was at York College in Queens. The Lions had a strong showing at the event taking home the team title by a wide margin. Winning city crowns were Terry Adams 99lbs, Robbie Scope Scopelliti 132lbs, Steven Isaac 145lbs, Michael Lanza 160lbs, David Flynn 170lbs, Nick Romanello 285lbs. Taking second place Max Ebanks 106lbs, Steven Roberts 182lbs. Taking home a bronze medal were Frank Kost 99lbs (Fr.), James Ryan 113lbs, and
Vincent Ndokaj 152lbs. Rob Scopelliti took home the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award (MOW). The team was also given the John Zoulis Sportsmanship award. CHSAA STATE DUAL CHAMPIONSHIP Unusual Win The Oakwood gym would be the host to CHSAA STATE DUALS. The Lions wrestled 8 teams from NYC, Buffalo, and Long Island. There were plenty of individual and team rivalries to be had during the 2 day event. The stage was set for the finals between the top 2 seeded teams in the league St. Anthony s and Monsignor Farrell. Farrell received major contributions from Frank Scafuri 220lbs (Fr.) and Jonathon Perez on the weekend. The Lions went 7-0 leading up to the Championship with Saint Anthony s. The match started at 160lbs with Mike Lanza getting the team going with a 9-2 decision over Dan Pryor. The Friars evened the score with a decision at 170lbs. The Lions decided to juggle the lineup bringing in back up 170lb Jonathon Perez at 182lbs against #2 ranked in the section Mcgee from St. Anthony s. Perez hit 3 heel picks over the match defeating his opponent 13-6 giving the team a huge emotional boost and the lead. Then Steve Roberts on one leg (injured a week earlier at Mayor s cup) bumps up to 195lbs and wins 7-3. Roberts assisted off the mat by Coach Rocky Ndokaj after the victory. The Friars got a pin at 220lbs. Then Nick Big Roman Big Smoothie Romanello pinned his opponent at 285lbs giving Farrell a 15-9 lead. Next up was Max Ebanks at 99lbs earning a major decision. Then Terry Adams earned a fall at 106lbs. This put the lead at 25-9. In steps Jimmy Ryan who is winning his match by 9 points when the dual meet starts to become UNUSUAL. Over the course of the dual meet the scoring clock was experiencing some technical difficulties, on two instances the clock was replaced with an alternate clock. The coaching staff of St. Anthony s was displeased to say the least about the situation. They received an unsportsmanlike penalty costing them a team point. The 113lb match then continued and multiple complaints about the officiating spewed from the Friar s sidelines. Coach Tony Walters decided to forfeit the match and leave the Oakwood gym during the 113lb bout. Coach Hamm attempted to convince him to change his mind but to no avail. The ending was an unusual way to win a CHSAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. The lead was substantial at the time the team walked away. It would have been nice to see the match run its course. We will have to wait until next year.
Off TO CATHOLIC STATES. Our State Qualifier Shuffle off to Buffalo Back to Buffalo St. Francis High School right on Lake Erie. The Lions sent 26 Wrestlers to the event in hopes of winning the Tournament as well as multiple individual titles. The tournament includes the entire section NYC, Buffalo, and Long Island. It is a 16 man bracketed tournament with the winner heading to Albany for the NYSPHSAA State Championships. Day 1 was filled with excitement with Farrell and St Anthony s neck and neck throughout the day. Frank Gioia 99lbs won a big match vs. St. Anthony s securing a pin when he was losing by 10 points. Going into day 2, St. Anthony s held a 10 point lead. The gym which was divided into 2 sections was electric for most of the day with each match having importance. St Anthony s extended its lead with their 2nd and 3rd string wrestlers scoring valuable points throughout the day. Going into the finals St. Anthony s had extended the lead to 27 points. Farrell lead off with Terry Adams securing gold by pin over Wellington of St. Anthony s making him a 2X CHSAA State Champ and he is only a sophomore. Next was Max Ebanks punching his ticket to Albany winning 6-4 over Szilagyi of St. Anthony s. Then James Ryan stepped to the circle and secured the victory 2-1 over Coakley from Kellenberg. Then it was Jack Reusing s turn at 126lbs Jack wrestled a tough match only to lose in the final seconds 7-6 to Sillart from Canisius. Scopelliti won gold at 132lbs winning 1-0 over Realbutto from Iona, giving a lesson in toughness and grit. 160lb match featured Michael Lanza vs. Garrett House from St Joe s Collegiate. Lanza suffered a narrow loss just 2 weeks earlier to House at the CHSAA State duals. Lanza however would have the final say in the 5-3 victory. The score did not tell the story Lanza controlled the whole match. Then it was up to David Flynn one of the team Captains to avenge a loss. Flynn too had suffered a loss in the CHSAA State duals to Meadows of St. Anthony s. He would avenge the loss as well after falling behind early Flynn flipped the proverbial switch and was like a man on fire, he was all over Meadows, earning the victory 14-7. The final wrestler for Farrell was Heavyweight Nick Romanello falling just short of a Catholic State Title losing to Greer of St. Anthony s 5-2 in a heartbreaker. The Lions fell short of winning the team title by just 10 team points to St. Anthony s. However they did send 6 Champions to Albany the most ever by a Farrell Team and St Anthony s only sent two. Six Champs, 2 runner-ups, two 3rd place finishers Steven Isaac and Steven Roberts. Finishing 4th were Dan Adams, Nick O Byrne, Ryan Siller, and Anthony Lanza. Taking 5th place was Vincent Ndokaj and 6th place Frank Gioia respectively.
NYPHSAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Best of the Best Times Union Center Albany, NY is and has been the setting for the last few years. All the best wrestlers from the 13 sections around the state come to compete for the coveted State Crown. Farrell sent 6 Terry Adams 99lbs, Max Ebanks 106lbs, James Ryan 113lbs, Robert Scopelliti 132lbs, Michael Lanza 160lbs, and David Flynn 170lbs. It was a two day event with 8 mats laid out in the arena 4 for Division I Large Schools and 4 for Division II Small Schools. Farrell wrestles in the large school tournament. Terry Adams won his first 3 matches making it to the finals for a showdown vs. Brandon Nunez the only person to beat him this year (at Eastern States). He wrestled a smart and tough match vs. Nunez but suffered a 5-3 loss to Nunez. He would finish 2ND IN NEW YORK STATE quite an accomplishment for the humble sophomore. Although Adams was the only place finisher all the boys wrestled tough and should be proud of their accomplishments. Their pictures will go on the wall in our wrestling room with those who secured Catholic State Titles. This marked the 9th year in a row that the Farrell Wrestling program has produced a State Place Finisher. This is a tremendous feat for any team in the State. GOOD TIMES Winning matches were Max Ebanks 1-2, James Ryan 1-2, and Robbie Scopelliti 1-2.