Wrestling: Vote now for the lohud Wrestler of the Week (Nov. 30-Dec. 10)
After an action-packed start to the 2023-24 wrestling season, it's time to look at some standout performers from Westchester, Rockland and Putnam through the early stretch of the new campaign.
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.
Ryan Ball, Somers/North Salem
The Tuskers sophomore is off to a superb start, going 10-0, with undefeated showings at the Lance Golubinski Memorial Duals and the Bernie Miller Tournament. The returning section champ has six pins and a major decision win.
Jude Bellantoni, Iona Prep
The Iona Prep 138-pounder is 10-0 to start the season, with seven first-period pins and two forfeit wins. He also earned a marquee 8-6 decision win over returning all-state wrestler Esuar Ordonez of Putnam Valley.
Alex Berisha, Fox Lane
The 215-pound junior has picked up from where he left off, racing to a 10-0 start that is highlighted by nine pins and one major decision win. A returning section champ, Berisha has already defeated five sectional place-winners this season, and this past weekend, he bulldozed his way to the 215-pound title in the Wrangle On the Plains in Shenendehowa.
Laila Builes, Port Chester
The Rams' eighth-grader impressed in her varsity wrestling debut, going 4-0 at the Vin Nicita Duals. She won all of her matches by first-period pin and went on to earn Most Outstanding Freshman honors at the tournament.
Carter Erbelding, Harrison
The Harrison 285-pounder is off to a scorching start to the season. He is 10-0 with eight first-period pins and two victories by forfeit. He was also named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Vin Nicita Duals.
Louis Esposito, Clarkstown South
After going 1-2 against Long Island wrestlers at the Battle at the Beach, Esposito returned home and went 6-0 this past week. The 131-pound junior also impressed at the Bernie Miller Duals this past weekend in Rye, picking up four pins and one major decision victory.
Nick Fortugno, Byram Hills/Briarcliff/Valhalla/Westlake
After taking a tough narrow loss early on, Fortugno bounced back in style and went unbeaten this past week and topping things off with a 4-0 showing in the main bracket at the Wrangle On The Plains tournament. Fortugno won the 116-pound title in dominant fashion, registering two pins, a tech fall and a major decision win over an all-section wrestler from Shenendehowa.
Giovanni Gioio, Hen Hud
He's off to a 10-2 start, but this past week, he went 5-0 and topped things off with the 138-pound title at John Jay-East Fishkill's Patriot Tournament. Gioio earned a marquee victory in the finals, pinning defending Section 9 Division I champion Richie Degon of Valley Central. He also recorded a pin and a tech fall in the earlier rounds of the tournament.
Dylan LaRocco, Clarkstown North
The Rams' 124-pounder is off to a hot start, racing to an 11-0 record to begin his senior season. He has seven pins before the third period, including one over New Rochelle's all-section wrestler Matteo Crino, two forfeit wins and one major decision victory. LaRocco also grinded out a marquee 3-1 decision win over returning Section 1 champion Nick Fortugno to help bolster his unbeaten record.
Anthony Lofaro, Ossining
He's 5-1 with four pins to start and the returning state-qualifier and all-section senior picked up his 100th career win at the Nardone Tournament in his home gym. Lofaro was unbeaten through five dual meets at the Nardone Tournament.
Michael Malfitano, Pearl River
The returning Section 1 Division II champ is off to another strong start, going 5-0 so far, with two pins and a major decision win.
Henry Martin, Croton-Harmon
The Tigers' junior is 9-0 with six pins and one tech fall. He also earned a 6-3 decision win over returning all-section grappler Rafael Rodriguez of Sleepy Hollow. So far, Martin has only surrendered a total of five points against opponents throughout his nine matches.
Charles Przymylski, Mahopac
He's off to a 6-0 start this season and got marquee wins over all-section wrestler Colin Liebertz of Ossining (9-2 decision) and a 7-6 victory over returning section champ Nick Fortugno in a rematch of last year's Section 1 Division I 102-pound finals.
Ben Ryan, Suffern
The Mounties' 285-pounder is enjoying a 6-0 start to the season and he's pinned all of his opponents so far. He was a standout at the Bobby Menges Duals in Long Island this past weekend, where he picked up five pins.
Vincent Sanabria, Nyack
The RedHawks sophomore is 7-0, with five pins and two major decision wins. He got two pins in his matches at the Hen Hud multi-meet, before following up with a 5-0 showing at the Nyack Red and Black Duals this past weekend.
Ian Sutherland, Brewster
The Brewster standout is 7-0 on the season. He went unbeaten with three pins and a forfeit victory at the White Plains Tigers Invitational, and then he topped things off with the 190-pound title in the main bracket of the Wrangle On The Plains in Shenendehowa.
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Wrestling: Vote now for lohud Wrestler of the Week (Nov. 30-Dec. 10)
