Area Wrestlers Excel at Divisionals

Kevin Davidson of Carmel won a divisional title at 140 pounds. SKIP PEARLMAN It was sectional qualifying week for area high school wrestling programs, as dozens of teams competed at four different sites in divisionals last Saturday— all hoping to advance to this weekend’s Section 1 Championships. Carmel and Mahopac each qualified 10 wrestlers, while Brewster will send nine to this weekend’s tournament, which opens Saturday at Clarkstown South and concludes Sunday at Pace University. Finals are scheduled for 3:45 p.m.

Carmel, Brewster and Mahopac each crowned two weight-class champions at divisionals, but Brewster had the most wrestlers advance to the finals, sending seven.

At the Division 4 meet at Carmel High School, the Rams got solid performances throughout their lineup.

Kevin Davidson showed why he’s the class of the 140-pound field. The Rams senior captain improved to 30-0 on the season after his finals victory. Davidson, with 146 career victories, was just two wins shy of tying the Carmel all-time record for wins (held by Pat McCabe).

Carmel's AJ Alvarez took the 215 pound Division 4 crown Saturday at Carmel. SKIP PEARLMAN AJ Alvarez, a sophomore, won the 215-pound title after a tedious battle in the finals where neither wrestler did much of anything. Alvarez prevailed, 1-0, and improved to 27-7 on the season.

Carmel’s Rob Kirk (23-10 at 125 pounds) and James Autieri (145) both took second-place finishes.

Nick Rosalino (28-6 at 103), Tom Davidson (112), Joe Caporale (28-10 at 119) and Doug Chiapperino all took thirds, and Tom D’Ambrosio (103) and Vince Pecora (140) placed fourth.

The top four wrestlers in each weight class advance to sectionals.

Rams coach Bill Twardy felt his team did well in a competitive field.

“We had a formidable division, with Suffern, North Rockland, Somers and East Ramapo, so we had our hands full,” Twardy said. “Kevin Davidson was incredibly impressive, he got through the final very well. AJ was a pleasant surprise with a 1-0 win, and Kirk had a nice tournament. Autieri also did well, and Chiapperino, Caporale, Davidson… a lot of our guys did well. We have a lot of horses in the race next week, so hopefully we’ll do well.”

Right: Mahopac's Justis Flamio won a divisional title at 125 pounds. SKIP PEARLMAN Carmel also clinched a league title last week after beating Ossining, 69- 6. The Rams finished their dual meet season at 16-3, and went 4-0 in their league.

At the Division 1 meet at Sleepy Hollow, Brewster’s Mike Parisi, a sophomore, defeated teammate Liam Erickson in the 96-pound final, and senior Jon Peragine won a championship at 125 pounds.

Left: Brewster's Jon Peragine won a divisional title at 125 pounds. SKIP PEARLMAN Nick Ghelarducci (98 pounds), Jim Duncan (112), Nick Grasso (140) and Ricardo Lopez (135) all took seconds.

Tom Gonska finished fourth at 119 pounds, and Dan Santiago also advanced to sections after placing fourth at 189 pounds.

“I was happy to have nine qualify,” Bears coach Tom Looby said. “It was a tough division… Nick Grasso upset John Jay’s Smith, a No. 1 seed, so it was a good day for him. And Parisi had an excellent day against some tough competition. Peragine also… he beat some guys who were ranked ahead of him. I think all three have a shot at placing at sectionals, and Lopez also. He lost a close match in the finals.”

Brewster also beat Hen Hud, 62-24, last Thursday at home, on Senior Night.

The Bears improved to 14-7 in dual meets.

Brewster got wins by pin from Liam Erickson, Parisi, Kyle McAlpin, Jevon Gooden and Santiago.

Mahopac's Jake Srednicki placed third at 119 pounds at divisionals. SKIP PEARLMAN Dan Friedlander won by decision, Peragine got a tech fall win, and Duncan, Lopez, Harry Erickson and Ghelarducci all won via forfeit.

At the Division 2 meet at Yorktown High School, Mahopac’s Justis Flamio won the 125-pound crown after a much-anticipated showdown with Fox Lane’s Steve Rodriguez in the finals. Flamio – now 26-0 on the season, and a three-time Section 1 champion - came out on top for the third time this season against Rodriguez, this time taking an 8-4 decision, and earning Most Outstanding Wrestler Honors. Flamio was also named the Putnam Courier’s January Athlete of the Month (see story on back page of sports section).

Andy Scopino won the 285-pound crown, and Brian Carson (135) and Mike Spinelli (152) both took seconds.

Mike Spinelli of Mahopac took a second at 152 pounds. SKIP PEARLMAN Jake Srednicki (119), Tom Viento (160) and Nick Boccino (189) all finished third in their respective classes, and Max Bachmeier (125), Zack Boker (96) and Steve Pagliuca (130 pounds) all placed fourth.
Mike Parisi of Brewster took the 96-pound weight-class title at the Division 1 meet at Sleepy Hollow. SKIP PEARLMAN
James Autieri of Carmel won a divisional title Saturday. SKIP PEARLMAN
Brewster's Liam Erickson took a second at divisionals. SKIP PEARLMAN