Meet the 2024 Section 1 Division I high school wrestling champions
After an action-filled Section 1 championship weekend, find out more about the 13 Division I champions who will represent the section at the state championships in Albany.
They discussed their title-winning achievement, as well as life on and off the mat.
101 pounds: Vincenzo Mannello, Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: It feels amazing, can't wait to go wrestle at states.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Never give up. As long as you put the work in, you can always win.
Hobbies: Wrestling, obviously, but also eating and video games.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Lacrosse.
First meal once wrestling is over: Lots of candy, and getting fat.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor, from Rocky.
108 pounds: Nick Fortugno: Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: Feels great, I've been training all year for this. Went to the state tournament last year, didn't get what I wanted out of it, but now, I'm looking forward to that bigger goal in getting on the podium at the New York State tournament. This year's title feels even better, coming back on top and making a statement, and just keep working and getting better every year.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Discipline. It takes a lot of heart in the sport and time to take it step by step. You'll get to where you want to be at one point, but it's not a sprint, it's a marathon.
Hobbies: Only wrestling.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Probably football.
First meal once wrestling is over: A whole pie of pizza and some ice cream.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Type Money" by Yeat.
116 pounds: Ryan Ball, Somers/North Salem
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: Means a lot to me, that means two more to go to become a four-timer. I know there's a couple of people who did it, but that's been my biggest goal I've wanted to achieve. Two more to go and that's it.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Never quit until it hits zero.
Hobbies: Running.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Hockey.
First meal once wrestling is over: Probably potato soup.
If you could have a walk-out song: I wouldn't have one. Just listen to the crowd, whatever that is. Not a big music guy.
124 pounds: Dillon Arrick, Arlington
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: It just signifies what I've done all year since that last loss (in the section finals) last year. That loss made me a better person and a better wrestler overall, and honestly, if I had to say anything, I appreciate (Mahopac's) Joe Ramirez because he made me a better person and wrestler. ... I visualized winning this match for over a year and I plan to keep dominating in the state tournament.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Hard work can get you anywhere. If you want to do something, you can do it.
Hobbies: Hang out with my friends, go fishing and going out to get food with friends.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Baseball. Love baseball, I played it until 10th grade and won a section title in 2022.
First meal once wrestling is over: Lots of ice cream, loads of whipped cream and toppings. Big toppings and ice cream guy.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Family Ties" by Kendrick Lamar
131 pounds: Neil Paulercio, Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: It's very special, a great rebound after what happened last year and taking third. It was a tough season, battled through a lot of adversity this year, came off an injury at the beginning of the season. I'm going to hold this one near and dear to me.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Stay tough when times are hard.
Hobbies: Video games and every now and then, and I like hanging out with my friends. I've been playing Fortnite.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Football.
First meal once wrestling is over: Chicken parm wedge
If you could have a walk-out song: "500lbs" by Lil Tecca
138 pounds: Joe Tornambe, Yorktown
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: It feels good. This whole tournament was just practice for states, but I'm happy with it. Three-time champ, definitely something that not many people can say. It's just a product of me doing everything right on and off the mat with my training, my sleep and my diet.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Never give up on yourself.
Hobbies: Play poker with my friends, work out, and go cliff jumping – it's really fun.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: I'd probably say lacrosse, but I like to watch UFC.
First meal once wrestling is over: A slice of pizza and a nice soda.
If you could have a walk-out song: "300 Violin Orchestra" by Jorge Quintero
145 pounds: Thomas Iasiello, Scarsdale
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: This one is a little more special, because of a lot of offseason work and in-season work went into this. It feels a bit better knowing that I'm used to this spot and it felt good to get another one.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: When things don't go your way, you've got to find a way to get back. When things aren't going well, you have to look for the next best thing.
Hobbies: I like the outdoors, hiking, fishing, and spending time with my friends and family.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Lacrosse.
First meal once wrestling is over: A Philly cheesesteak and a milkshake.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Blue Notes" by Meek Mill
152 pounds: Anthony Lofaro, Ossining
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: At a loss for words, I'm going to keep it full stack.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Hard work beats talent.
Hobbies: Playing Call of Duty, working out, listening to music.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Football.
First meal once wrestling is over: Chicken cutlets.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Dog Talk" by OT7 Quanny
160 pounds: Sam Szerlip, Nyack
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: This means a lot. My dad and my coaches never got it and before this year, I had never won a Rockland County title or divisionals, so I just felt like this is my year and I had to go all the way in order to get what I wanted to accomplish.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: If you keep working hard, you'll be able to get anything you need.
Hobbies: Reading and playing video games. I've been playing a lot of Cyberpunk recently.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Definitely badminton or volleyball.
First meal once wrestling is over: There's this restaurant in Nyack called the Breakfast and Burger Club, and they make this awesome Nutella French Toast, and that's definitely what I'm going to have first.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Duel of the Fates" from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
170 pounds: Leo Venables, Carmel
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: It feels amazing to complete the three-peat. It's always been a dream of mine as a seventh-grader looking up to all the older, senior wrestlers and always wanting to be champion one day.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: There's a lot of lessons, but I'd say you can always push yourself further. However far you push yourself in practice, that's how hard you're going to be able to go in a match or in life.
Hobbies: I've recently taken up a little poker with my friends, and going golfing a lot.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Rugby.
First meal once wrestling is over: Chili cheese dogs.
If you could have a walk-out song: "SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake
190 pounds: Ian Sutherland, Brewster
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: It means I'm one step closer to fulfilling my dream of becoming a state champion. I came out really positive and I visualized this many times throughout my training and the whole season. I just came out and let it rip.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Control your emotions and mental state, and don't let it affect what you do under pressure.
Hobbies: Any fitness or gym activity, going to the sauna, and playing pool with my friends.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: I'd take up some other martial art or boxing, I've always had a passion for that.
First meal once wrestling is over: Wings and a nice burger.
If you could have a walk-out song: Not sure, some AC/DC, something everybody can relate to.
215 pounds: Alex Berisha, Fox Lane
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: It just feels good. This means a lot, coming back here and winning in a different arena. Especially because of the bigger arena, it means a lot more and we're better prepared for states now.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Never give up and always give it your all, because at any moment, anything can happen, so just go through adversity no matter what.
Hobbies: Currently, I like golfing a lot, hanging out with friends and going skiing.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Hockey.
First meal once wrestling is over: Probably some wings.
If you could have a walk-out song: Probably a Drake song, not sure which one though.
285 pounds: Michael Mauro, John Jay-East Fishkill
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you?: It feels great. It was a very tight finals match. (Yorktown's George Gjergji) felt way different than before. He felt better, stronger, faster, so I had to capitalize on my opportunities and it felt great to emerge victorious. I haven't fully processed it yet, I'm still in that shocked mindset that I'm a section champ going to states, but I worked really hard. This is what I worked for and I feel like I deserve it.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Never give up and always have that mindset.
Hobbies: Video games, going to the pool in the summertime, and wrestling off-season.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Football.
First meal once wrestling is over: A lot of candy. I'm a candy guy, I don't eat anything else.
If you could have a walk-out song: Give me "The Purge" Dubstep.
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Meet the 2024 Section 1 Division I wrestling high school champions
