Wrestling: Vote now for lohud Wrestler of the Week (Jan. 29-Feb. 4)
After an action-packed week of divisional tournaments, private school league/division championships, and the regular season finale for Division II wrestling, it's time to look at some standout performers on the mat.
Last week, Pleasantville's Adriana Palumbo 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.
Colin Liebertz, Ossining
The Ossining sophomore captured the 116-pound title at Suffern divisionals as the third-seed, getting two marquee wins against the top two seeds along the way. He avenged an earlier loss against New Rochelle's returning all-section standout Matteo Crino, with an 8-7 win in the semifinals. In the finals, he recorded a 5-0 shutout win against Suffern's Bobby Brophy, the Rockland County champion and No. 1 seed of the bracket.
Chris Nocca, Horace Greeley
The Quakers' sophomore 152-pounder had a dominant run to the divisional crown, getting back-to-back pins to reach the finals, including one over 2022 all-section finisher Jonathan Scimeca of Arlington in the semifinals. In the title match, he recorded a technical fall over returning all-section grappler and Rockland County champion J.T. Roden of Clarkstown North.
Henry Ramirez, Mahopac
Ramirez rose to the top of the 124-pound bracket at the Clarkstown South divisionals. Ramirez got a major decision win and a pin to reach the finals. In the title match, he won a thrilling battle against John Jay-East Fishkill's returning all-section standout Ryan Fitzpatrick, who he had lost to twice during the regular season. Ramirez scored a title-winning takedown with less than two seconds remaining to get a 6-5 win over Fitzpatrick for the divisional crown.
Barron Ransom, Fox Lane
His breakout turnaround season continues. Ransom continued his ascension as one of the most improved wrestlers in Section 1, after going just 16-17 last season. On Saturday, he pinned his way to the 190-pound title. In the finals, he defeated Yorktown's Ronan Forde with a third-period pin to improve to 28-5 overall.
Rafael Rodriguez, Sleepy Hollow
The Sleepy Hollow freshman followed up on his big win over state-ranked Aden Mead of Central Valley Academy by going 4-0 for the week and solidifying his spot as the top contender in the Section 1 Division II 145-pound weight class. Rodriguez got three pins this week against Eastchester's Jordan Scarlett, John Jay-Cross River's Quincy Hadlock and Iona Prep's Sean Foley, and he got a marquee 11-3 major decision win over Edgemont's Joey Saito, the No. 1-ranked lohud Division II 145-pounder.
Justin Shay, Iona Prep
The Gaels' standout senior bulldozed his way to the CHSAA New York City League/Division title to top off his 7-0 week. He recorded five pins throughout the week. At the CHSAA New York City League/Division tournament, he went 4-0 with three pins and a technical fall in the finals, where he defeated teammate Jude Bellantoni, to take the 138-pound title. Shay was also named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: lohud wrestling: Vote now for Wrestler of the Week (Jan. 29-Feb. 4)
