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Wrestling: Fox Lane's state runner-up leads 2024 lohud Westchester/Putnam all-stars

Eugene Rapay, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
·8 min read

2024 Journal News/lohud Westchester/Putnam Wrestler of the Year

Alex Berisha, Jr., Fox Lane: The Foxes' star 215-pounder enjoyed a career year on the mat. Berisha went 42-3 in a season that included a Section 1 title repeat. Berisha won by major decision, technical fall or fall in every Section 1 match he wrestled in this season. He also medaled for second straight year at the Eastern States Classic, climbing up the podium for a career-best fifth-place showing. Berisha closed the year out strong, attaining all-state status for the first time and reaching the NYSPHSAA Division I 215-pound championship match to finish as state runner up. Berisha piled up numerous wins over all-section and all-state wrestlers along the way, and he was named the Section 1 Division I wrestler of the year.

Fox Lane's Alex Berisha is selected as the Westchester/Putnam Wrestler of the Year. Berisha was photographed at Fox Lane High School in Bedford on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
Fox Lane's Alex Berisha is selected as the Westchester/Putnam Wrestler of the Year. Berisha was photographed at Fox Lane High School in Bedford on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

The rest of the lohud Westchester/Putnam all-stars

101 pounds

Briarcliff-Byram Hills-Valhalla-Westlake's Vincenzo Mannello, top, wrestles Yorktown's Giovanni Tornambe in the 101 pound weight class title during the Section 1 division 1 wrestling championship in White Plains, NY on Sunday, February 11, 2024.
Briarcliff-Byram Hills-Valhalla-Westlake's Vincenzo Mannello, top, wrestles Yorktown's Giovanni Tornambe in the 101 pound weight class title during the Section 1 division 1 wrestling championship in White Plains, NY on Sunday, February 11, 2024.

First team: Vincenzo Mannello, 7th, Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake — It was an impressive varsity debut for Mannello, who became just the second wrestler in Section 1 history to win a section title as a seventh-grader, joining former Carmel standout and Penn State commit P.J. Duke. His title run also came with Lightweight Most Outstanding Wrestler honors for the Section 1 Division I tournament. Mannello went 35-7 and reached the NYSPHSAA Division I semifinals before ultimately finishing in fifth-place and earning all-state status. All seven of his losses were close battles against state-ranked opposition.

Second team: Gio Tornambe, Fr., Yorktown

Honorable mention: Kelvin Jimenez, 8th, Sleepy Hollow; Fotis Koufalis, 8th, New Rochelle; Will Miller, Jr., Yonkers

108 pounds

Nick Fortugno from BBHVW defeats Vinny Augello from Commack in the 108 pound weight class, during the 2024 Murphy-Guccione Shoreline Wrestling Classic at New Rochelle High School, Jan. 6, 2024.
Nick Fortugno from BBHVW defeats Vinny Augello from Commack in the 108 pound weight class, during the 2024 Murphy-Guccione Shoreline Wrestling Classic at New Rochelle High School, Jan. 6, 2024.

First team: Nick Fortugno, So., Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake — He finished 40-7 in a sophomore season that included a Section 1 title and a Westchester County repeat. Fortugno won more than half his matches by pin, technical fall or major decision. He also earned Most Outstanding Sophomore honors at the Westchester County championships after earning the freshman award last year. Fortugno also reached Day 2 of the NYSPHSAA Division I tournament for the first time and finished in the blood round.

Second team: Ethan Steuber, So., Somers/North Salem

Honorable mention: Carlos Deoleo, Fr., Yonkers; Dorian Hidalgo, 8th, Sleepy Hollow; Tatsu Homma, Jr., Mamaroneck; Rocco LaMotta, So., Iona Prep

116 pounds

Ryan Ball (Somers-North Salem) wrestlers against Austin Zimmerman (St. Joseph Collegiate) at the NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships at the MVP Arena.
Ryan Ball (Somers-North Salem) wrestlers against Austin Zimmerman (St. Joseph Collegiate) at the NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships at the MVP Arena.

First team: Ryan Ball, So., Somers/North Salem — Ball went unbeaten against Section 1 opposition for the second straight year, part of a sophomore campaign that also included his second-straight Westchester County and Section 1 titles. Ball finished 45-4, with 33 victories coming by fall, technical fall or major decision. He reached the blood round at the Eastern States Classic and NYSPHSAA Division I tournament.

Second team: Thomas Looby Jr., So., Brewster

Honorable mention: Matteo Crino, Fr., New Rochelle; Colin Liebertz, So., Ossining; Charles Przymylski, So., Mahopac; Jesse Straus, So., Pleasantville

124 pounds

Henry Ramirez from Mahopac defeated Ryan Fitzpatrick from John Jay EF in the 124 pound match during the wrestling divisional at Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack, Feb. 3, 2024.
Henry Ramirez from Mahopac defeated Ryan Fitzpatrick from John Jay EF in the 124 pound match during the wrestling divisional at Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack, Feb. 3, 2024.

First team: Henry Ramirez, So., Mahopac — The Wolf Pac sophomore got better and better as the season unfolded, finishing 26-12 and earning all-section status for the second year in a row. Twenty-one of his wins came by major decision, fall or technical fall. Ramirez won a divisional title before ultimately finishing in fourth-place at the Section 1 Division I tournament.

Second team: Silas Corveddu, Fr., Sleepy Hollow

Honorable mention: Matt Keneally, Sr., Ossining

131 pounds

John Jay (CR) Joe Gabriele and Iona's Vinny Tripaldi wrestle in the 131-pound weight class during the Westchester County wrestling championship at Yonkers High School Jan. 20, 2024.
John Jay (CR) Joe Gabriele and Iona's Vinny Tripaldi wrestle in the 131-pound weight class during the Westchester County wrestling championship at Yonkers High School Jan. 20, 2024.

First team: Vincent Tripaldi, Jr., Iona Prep — His New York and Iona Prep debut was a successful one. Tripaldi won a CHSAA state title, Westchester County championship, and he also reached the podium at the Eastern States Classic (second) and the NYSPHSAA Division I tournament (sixth). Overall, Tripaldi finished 46-4 with 37 wins by fall, technical fall or major decision.

Second team: Esuar Ordonez, Sr., Putnam Valley

Honorable mention: Liam Dwyer, Sr., Somers/North Salem; Joe Gabriele, Sr., John Jay-Cross River; Ken Keltto, So., Carmel; Marco DeMaio, So., Edgemont; Neil Paulercio, Jr., Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake

138 pounds

Yorktown's Joseph Tornambe wins the 138 pound weight class during the Section 1 division 1 wrestling championship in White Plains, NY on Sunday, February 11, 2024.
Yorktown's Joseph Tornambe wins the 138 pound weight class during the Section 1 division 1 wrestling championship in White Plains, NY on Sunday, February 11, 2024.

First team: Joe Tornambe, Sr., Yorktown — The Sacred Heart commit saved his best for last, three-peating as Section 1 champion and placing a career-best fifth-place at the NYSPHSAA championships in his return to the podium at Albany. Tornambe extended his winning streak to 66-straight against Section 1 opposition, going unbeaten for the last four years against local competition.

Second team: Jude Bellantoni, Sr., Iona Prep

Honorable mention: Robert DeMauro, Jr., Mahopac; Corey Fitzsimmons, Jr., Horace Greeley

145 pounds

Iona's Justin Shay and Iona's Jude Bellantoni wrestle in the 138-pound weight class during the Westchester County wrestling championship at Yonkers High School Jan. 20, 2024.
Iona's Justin Shay and Iona's Jude Bellantoni wrestle in the 138-pound weight class during the Westchester County wrestling championship at Yonkers High School Jan. 20, 2024.

First team: Justin Shay, Sr., Iona Prep — An untimely injury and subsequent surgery forced Shay to miss this year's NYSPHSAA championships. Despite getting stripped of a proper ending to his high school career, there's no doubting what Shay brought to the mat. He went 42-1 this season and repeated as CHSAA state champion. He also won a Westchester County title and finished as runner-up at the Eastern States Classic to Brayden Fahrbach, who would go on to win his third state title.

Second team: Thomas Iasiello, Jr., Scarsdale

Honorable mention: George Johnson Jr., So., Iona Prep; Thomas Tsoi, Jr., Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake; Rafael Rodriguez, Fr., Sleepy Hollow; Robert Vrabel, Sr., Somers/North Salem

152 pounds

Croton-Harmon's Henry Martin wrestles Hen Hud's Ismael Andrade in the 152-pound championship match at the Section 1, Division II wrestling championships at Westchester County Center on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.
Croton-Harmon's Henry Martin wrestles Hen Hud's Ismael Andrade in the 152-pound championship match at the Section 1, Division II wrestling championships at Westchester County Center on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.

First team: Henry Martin, Jr., Croton-Harmon — After finishing as sectional runner-up last season, Martin followed up on his breakout year with a historic season on the mat. Martin became the Tigers' first all-state finisher and the program's record-holder for most wins in a single season. He went 42-3 overall, which included an undefeated record against Section 1 competition, a Section 1 Division II title and a runner-up finish at the Westchester County championships.

Second team: Anthony Lofaro, Sr., Ossining

Honorable mention: Eric Grant, Sr., Iona Prep; Peter Hinze, Jr., Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake; Nikita Rusnak, So., Carmel

160 pounds

Iona's Kosta Koufalis and Croton's Henry Martin wrestle in the 152-pound weight class during the Westchester County wrestling championship at Yonkers High School Jan. 20, 2024. Koufalis won the match.
Iona's Kosta Koufalis and Croton's Henry Martin wrestle in the 152-pound weight class during the Westchester County wrestling championship at Yonkers High School Jan. 20, 2024. Koufalis won the match.

First team: Kosta Koufalis, Sr., Iona Prep — After falling short as CHSAA runner-up the last couple of years, Koufalis made the most of his senior season and was one of the core members of the Gaels. Koufalis won a CHSAA state championship, a Westchester County title, and reached the podium at the Eastern States Classic (seventh) and the NYSPHSAA championships (third). He finished his all-state season at 44-6 with 27 wins by fall, technical fall or major decision.

Second team: Nick Greco, Sr., Mahopac

Honorable mention: C.J. Luth, So., Rye; Martin Palomeque, Sr., Peekskill; Cam Wierl, Sr., John Jay-Cross River

170 pounds

Leo Venables of Carmel celebrates after defeating Gage Laplante of St. Francis in a 170-pound semifinal match during the NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships at the MVP Arena in Albany Feb. 24, 2024.
Leo Venables of Carmel celebrates after defeating Gage Laplante of St. Francis in a 170-pound semifinal match during the NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships at the MVP Arena in Albany Feb. 24, 2024.

First team: Leo Venables, Sr., Carmel — Like Yorktown's Tornambe, Venables also got to win his third consecutive Section 1 Division I title. Venables also earned all-state for the second year in a row and enjoyed his deepest run at the NYSPHSAA championships, making it to the finals and finishing as state runner-up. Venables went 27-3 as a senior, with 23 pins. He was undefeated against Section 1 competition this winter.

Second team: Paolo Ciatto, Jr., Iona Prep

Honorable mention: Sal DiSenso, Jr., Ossining; Kenny Saito, Sr., Edgemont; Kenny Saito, Sr., Edgemont; Mekhi Smithwick, Sr., Croton-Harmon

190 pounds

Brewster's Ian Sutherland reacts to winning the 190 pound weight class during the Section 1 division 1 wrestling championship in White Plains, NY on Sunday, February 11, 2024.
Brewster's Ian Sutherland reacts to winning the 190 pound weight class during the Section 1 division 1 wrestling championship in White Plains, NY on Sunday, February 11, 2024.

First team: Ian Sutherland, Sr., Brewster — After taking third at sectionals and missing out on a state-qualifier spot last season, Sutherland returned with a vengeance and won his first Section 1 title. He was also Section 1's highest place-finisher at the Eastern States Classic, where he took fourth. Sutherland impressed in his first appearance at the NYSPHSAA championships, taking fifth and finishing with all-state honors.

Second team: Steven Hill, Sr., Scarsdale

Honorable mention: Justin Daniyan, Sr., Somers/North Salem; Naseer Johnson, Sr., Peekskill; Asa Nunberg, Sr., Pleasantville; Barron Ransom, Jr., Fox Lane; Alex Ryzy, Sr., Lakeland/Panas

215 pounds

Fox Lane's Alex Berisha, left, wrestles McQuaid-Jesuit's Harrison Aguirre in the 215 pound weight class during Eastern State Classics at SUNY Sullivan in Loch Sheldrake, NY on Saturday, January 13. 2024.
Fox Lane's Alex Berisha, left, wrestles McQuaid-Jesuit's Harrison Aguirre in the 215 pound weight class during Eastern State Classics at SUNY Sullivan in Loch Sheldrake, NY on Saturday, January 13. 2024.

First team: Alex Berisha, Jr., Fox Lane — The 2023-24 Journal News/lohud Westchester/Putnam Wrestler of the Year

Second team: Thomas Kellas, 8th, Sleepy Hollow

Honorable mention: Thomas Anderson, Sr., Rye; Ryan Brace, Jr., Brewster; Rocco Lore, So., Yorktown; Joe Roche, Sr., Eastchester/Tuckahoe

285 pounds

Yorktown's George Gjergi and Ossining's Marlon Wheatley wrestle in the 285-pound weight class during the Westchester County wrestling championship at Yonkers High School Jan. 20, 2024. Gjergi won the match.
Yorktown's George Gjergi and Ossining's Marlon Wheatley wrestle in the 285-pound weight class during the Westchester County wrestling championship at Yonkers High School Jan. 20, 2024. Gjergi won the match.

First team: George Gjergji, Sr., Yorktown — A fixture in the lohud Division I 285-pound rankings, the Huskers' heavyweight enjoyed a career-best year, earning all-section status for the second time and placing a career-high second at the Section 1 Division I championships after losing a close battle in overtime to John Jay-East Fishkill's Michael Mauro. Gjergji finished 31-7 overall, with more than half of his wins coming by pin.

Second team: Jaden Tesher, Jr., Putnam Valley

Honorable mention: Mason Dietz, Jr., Hen Hud; Dan Hurley, Jr., Lakeland/Panas; Marlon Wheatley, Sr., Ossining

Coach of the Year

Joe Grippi, Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake: It was a special year for Grippi and his team. They got an early glimpse of what was to come early in the season during the Section 1 Dual Meet Tournament. Despite past shortcomings and previously finishing winless at the tournament, they got their first wins in program history and advanced all the way to the Section 1 Division I Dual Meet Tournament final four for the first time. They finished strong at the end of the season, with the four-team merger winning the program's first Section 1 Division I team title. The merger was led by the title-winning trio of Vincenzo Mannello (101), Nick Fortugno (108) and Neil Paulercio (131). Grippi was also named the Section 1 wrestling coach of the year, and he was inducted to the Section 1 wrestling hall of fame this year for his successes as a wrestler at Fox Lane.

Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Wrestling: Fox Lane's Alex Berisha tops Westchester/Putnam all-stars