Long Island Wrestling Association

Recruiting Updates:

Hofstra University Head Coach, Tom Shifflet completed his first early signing period with his new school by securing a commitment from InterMat’s #86 recruit, Justin Danz, of Shingle Springs, CA.  Danz, projected to wrestle in college at the 165 weight class, is a three-time California State qualifier, placing 4^th during the 2005-2006 season.  Most recently, the Golden State native finished as the runner-up in the 2006 NHSCA Junior National tournament.  Danz, ranked #12 at 160-pounds by Wrestling International Newsmagazine (W.I.N.), is the second top-100 wrestler to commit to the Hempstead based school this fall…  In late October, three-time Pennsylvania State place-winner, #59 Justin Accordino gave a verbal commitment to attend Hofstra.  Accordino, the 7^th ranked wrestler at 145-pounds, took third at the 2006 AAA tournament.  This past summer, the Wilkes-Barre native finished 3^rd at the Junior Greco National tournament, beating former Sachem star, Chris Iorio, to earn the bronze…The defending Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) champions also received commitments from a pair of immensely talented grapplers who have flown under the radar.  Projected as a possible heir apparent to Joe Rovelli’s spot at 184-pounds, Keystone State resident, Lawrence Beckman, is said to be an early favorite to capture the AA state title that has eluded him the last three years.  On paper, Mr. Beckman’s resume bares a strong likeness to the person he will succeed. The three-time AA place-winner is described as very tough on top, with good natural technique from his feet…At 197-pounds, the Mack Sports Complex will welcome another Garden State Assassin, Jeff Siciliano, from Ocean Township.  In 2005, a sophomore Siciliano was the NJ State Runner-up at 171 pounds.  Last year, he was off to such a solid start, finishing 5^th at the renowned Beast of the East tournament, that many Jersey residents considered him to be the favorite to take the crown in a rather deep 189-pound weight class.  However, a stroke of bad luck hit, and a severe ankle injury cut short his junior season.  While his rehab sessions are said to have gone extremely well, it is yet unknown if or how much his god given ability will be hindered by the pins holding his ankle together…Rounding out the Pride’s recruiting class thus far, are the aforementioned P.J. Gillespie (see below), and 2006 NYS Champion, Tyler Mashkow, from Islip.  Mashkow, the two-time Suffolk Country titlest, was the first recruit to sign with Shifflet.  Currently ranked 17^th at 119-pounds, the senior Buccaneer is expected to break into the ’08-‘09 starting lineup at 125-pounds, following the graduation of defending CAA champion, David Tomasette.

Long Beach High School wrestler P.J. Gillespie has signed a letter of intent to attend school at Hofstra University and wrestle next year. Hofstra, led by new Head Coach Tom Shifflet, is currently ranked #11 in the division one national rankings. Gillespie follows former Long Beach star Jonathan Masa at Hofstra. Masa was a 3x All-American for Hofstra. Gillespie is already the all-time winningest wrestler in Nassau County history and can become only the fourth person to win four Nassau County titles in a career. He has placed third in the New York State Championships three years in a row. This past summer he earned All-American honors at the national championships held in Fargo, North Dakota. He was selected to the W.I.N. Magazine “First All-Summer Team” for his accomplishments during this past off-season. The magazine also has him ranked #5 in the nation.

The wait is finally over. After weeks of speculation that witnessed schools such as Penn State getting heavy mention, the question, where will Corey Jantzen go, was put to rest on Monday, November 13, when InterMat’s Jason Bryant broke the news that the #5 recruit in the country has decided to follow his older brother’s lead and pledge his allegiance to the Harvard University Crimson.  Jantzen has received a letter of likely acceptance during the Early Action period.  Final confirmation of acceptance would likely come sometime in early December.  Jantzen, the 2006 State Champion at 125 pounds, is the highest ranked recruit coming out of the Empire State since Troy Nickerson, the #3 recruit from the class of 2005.  The three-time Suffolk crown winner is projected to wrestle at 141 for Jay Weiss and his staff.  With his addition, the EIWA Conference member is well on its way to building a murder’s row from 141-157 (Jantzen-O’Connor-Flanagan).  The SWR senior is currently the 2^nd ranked wrestler in the nation at the 130-pound weight class, trailing only Blair Academy’s Kellen Russell.

News came November 11th that two of Suffolk County’s finest, John Oschmann and Lance Wade have signed their national letters of intent.  Oschmann, the standout and 2005 State Champion from Hauppauge HS will do his college wrestling for DII Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina.  He is projected to wrestle at 125 for the Indians…Wade, the 2006 State Runner-up, confirmed Saturday evening that he will take his skills to DeKalb, Illinois and compete for Coach Dave Grant and the Northern Illinois University Huskies.  Wade, the third grappler from his high school to commit to a DI school this year, will join Mt. Sinai’s Jared Rueda, who is in his first year wrestling for the MAC-Conference school.

One week after 2006 Suffolk County champion, Paul Vaeth (Islip) announced his intentions to further his education and wrestling career at Columbia University, the Ivy League bug bit another Long Island senior.  On Tuesday, November 7^th, it was reported that Herricks High School’s 2006 New York State Runner-up, Maciej Jochym had committed to Rob Koll and the Cornell Big Red.  Despite competing at 189-pounds last season, Mr. Jochym is being projected as a heavyweight on the collegiate level. 

Michael Gomez of Locust Valley HS verbally committed to Drexel University in early October and is expected to sign early as well during next weeks early signing period.

The Ohio University Bobcats will have Commack's Mike Fennell on their roster next fall. 

Michael Gomez of Locust Valley HS verbally committed to Drexel University in early October and is expected to sign early as well during next weeks early signing period.

The early signing period runs from 7AM November 8th to November 15th this year so we should know any other early decisions by this coming Wednesday.