Wrestling: Vote for lohud Wrestler of the Week (Jan. 1-7)
After an action-packed week to begin the New Year, it's time to look at some standout performers from Westchester, Rockland and Putnam.
Last week, Tappan Zee's Justin Reiss was voted lohud Wrestler of the Week.
We would like you, the reader, to survey our Wrestler of the Week finalists and cast your vote. The wrestlers' credentials are listed above the fan poll — which will be live until 2 p.m. Tuesday. The winner will be announced on lohud social media accounts on Tuesday night.
Now, let's meet the candidates. If the poll at the bottom of the page doesn't load, please click here.
Alex Berisha, Fox Lane
A machine on the mat, Berisha improved to 20-0 overall. He added to his flawless record by capturing the 215-pound title at the Shoreline Classic, getting first-period pins, before finishing things off with a 12-4 major decision win over lohud's top Division II 215-pounder, Sleepy Hollow's Thomas Kellas, in the finals.
Devin Bierfeldt, Nyack
The Nyack freshman continued his upswing this past week, going 4-0 at the Oceanside Duals. Despite being an undersized wrestler for the 190-pound weight class, he got two pins and even bumped up to 215 and grinded out a 2-1 sudden victory win over Brentwood's Warren General. He originally started the season on JV, but is 10-0 in varsity matches since being called up.
Liam Dwyer, Somers/North Salem
He made the home crowd proud, winning the 124-pound title at Somers' Eric D'Agnese Memorial Tournament. He finished his title run with a marquee 6-2 decision victory over Kings Park's T.J. Stazzone, the No. 1 seed of the bracket. Dwyer was also named Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.
Nick Fortugno, Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake
His debut week at 108 went well. He started things off with a dual meet pin over lohud's top-ranked Division II 108-pounder, Kelvin Jimenez of Sleepy Hollow, before going on to win the 108-pound title at the Shoreline Classic later in the week. He recorded a few pins on his way to the finals, where he defeated Commack's state-ranked standout Vinny Augello in a 4-1 title match.
Naseer Johnson, Peekskill
He bounced back from a loss to Brewster's Ian Sutherland in style, and won the 190-pound title at the Eric D'Agnese Memorial Tournament in Somers. Johnson recorded a pair of first-period pins, and picked up a couple of marquee wins in the semifinals and finals. In the semis, he defeated lohud top-five ranked Justin Daniyan of Somers/North Salem in a 6-3 decision. In the finals, he avenged an earlier loss to returning Section 1 Division II champ and Hen Hud's state-ranked Kyle Peske, emerging on top in a 6-2 victory.
Dylan LaRocco, Clarkstown North
The Clarkstown North senior improved to 26-0, after going 6-0 this past week. He captured the 124-pound crown at RCK Mat Wars, recording three pins along the way. In the finals, he defeated Tappan Zee's Justin Reiss in 7-0 shutout fashion.
Anthony Lofaro, Ossining
It was another standout week for the Ossining senior, who went a perfect 5-0 at 160 pounds in the Oceanside Duals. He was also named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. At the tournament, he recorded three first-period pins, and got a 7-0 decision win, plus a forfeit victory.
Amari Payton, North Rockland
It was a big week for the Red Raider junior, who improved to 15-0 on the season. He started things off with a pin in a dual meet against rival Suffern. Then, he captured the 131-pound Shoreline Classic title, picking up marquee wins along the way. In the semifinals, he defeated Section 8-ranked Matt Lichter of MacArthur in a 4-3 battle, then he topped Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake's Neil Paulercio in a 7-1 final between two-time all-section grapplers.
Jumal Russ, East Ramapo
The Titans' standout senior improved to 19-0 overall in his debut week at 101. After getting a forfeit win against Clarkstown South, he captured the 101-pound title at RCK Mat Wars, where he recorded three early pins, before finishing things off wtih a marquee 7-6 decision win over lohud-ranked John Jay-East Fishkill's Christian Martino to lock up the title.
Kenny Saito, Edgemont
After getting a pin at the Edgemont multi-meet, he followed up with the 170-pound title at the Shoreline Classic. Saito made quick work of his foes and won the title by pinning each of his opponents in the first period, finishing up with a finals win over MacArthur's Mike Waters.
Ian Sutherland, Brewster
He started his week with a marquee major decision win over returning all-section grappler Naseer Johnson of Peekskill. After that, he followed up by winning the 190-pound title and Most Outstanding Heavyweight Wrestler honors at the Shoreline Classic, where he pinned each of his opponents in the first period. In the finals, he pinned Section 8-ranked wrestler Thomas Bennett of MacArthur in 34 seconds.
Cam Wierl, John Jay-Cross River
In his first taste of action for the New Year, he had a strong showing at the Jamie Mormile Invitational, pinning his opponents before the end of the second period en route to the finals. He took the 160-pound title with an 11-4 win over Tamarac's Austin Fitzpatrick.
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: lohud Wrestler of the Week (Jan. 1-7) poll
