Week 12 - Peter Pappas of Plainview JFK and James Hoeg of Mattituck
The Long Island Wrestling Association has selected 2 recipients for Wrestler of the Week, for the week ending February 26, 2017 – James Hoeg (senior,195 lbs) of Mattituck, and Peter Pappas (senior,152 lbs.) of Plainview JFK. Hoeg went 4-0 at the NYSPHSAA Championship to claim the crown. He outscored his opposition 56-3 and never gave up a takedown. This included 3 wins by technical fall, and a major decision in the finals over the returning runner-up. Pappas bested an extremely deep weight class to win his first state title after making 3 previous trips to Albany, including 2 finals appearances. Congratulations to James and Peter!
Photos courtesy of Joe D'Aquila of Phototrens.com, Ray J Nelson Photography and Paul North Photography
Week 11 - Brandon VanCooten of Sewanhaka West
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week, for the week ending February 12, 2017, is 182 lb senior, Brandon VanCooten, of Sewanhaka West. In the Section VIII finals, Brandon avenged a loss from earlier in the season, and won by fall over returning All-State and Sectional Champion Tyreek Bromley of Long Beach HS. Congratulations Brandon!
Week 10 - Steven Holder of Hauppauge HS
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending February 6th, 2017 is 170lb senior, Steven Holder, of Hauppauge HS. Seeded 4th in the League 5 Tournament, he defeated the #5, #1, and #3 seeds to win the tournament. His semifinal win, over the 3rd ranked wrestler in Suffolk County, helped Hauppauge edge out Rocky Point for the league title. Congratulations Steven !
Week 9 - Joeseph Giorlando of Long Beach HS and Matt Cappell of Rocky Point HS
The LIWA has selected two recipients for Wrestler of the Week, for the week ending January 29, 2017.
The first is 170 lb. senior, Joseph Giorlando, of Long Beach HS. In the finals of the Nassau Dual Meet Championships,
Giorlando bumped up to 195, where he was losing to the #2 ranked 182 lber. He fought back and scored a fall to give
Long Beach their first lead that they would never relinquish.
The second is 220 lb. senior, Matt Cappell, of Rocky Point HS. In the finals of the Suffolk Dual Meet Championships,
Cappell won 3-1 in sudden victory to clinch the victory for the Eagles.
Congratulations to both Joe and Matt !
Week 8 - Vito Arujau of Syosset HS
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week, for the week ending January 22, 2017, is 138 lb senior, Vito Arujau, of Syosset HS. Vito earned his 200th career victory (and 158th in a row) to clinch a come from behind victory for his team over Westbury HS. Congratulations Vito!
Week 7 - Damien Caffrey of John Glenn HS
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending January 15, 2017 is 220lb senior, Damien Caffrey, of John Glenn. Damien won the prestigious Eastern States Classic, going 4-0, including wins over both the NYS Division 1 220 lb. state champion and runner-up. Congratulations Damien!
Honorable Mention:
• Zach Redding – ES Champion, defeat of 2016 state finalist
• Vito Arujau – ES Champion, 4th title
• Elijah Rodriguez, ES Champion, defeat of 2016 state 3rd placer
Week 6 - Jeffrey Alvarez, of Long Beach HS
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending January 8, 2017 is 285lb senior, Jeffrey Alvarez, of Long Beach. In a must win match, to decide the winner of the championship finals of the UE Duals, Alvarez won in the Tie Breaker periods over the #4 ranked wrestler in Suffolk County. The OT win secured the dual for Long Beach, making them back-to-back UE Duals Champions.
Week 5 - Maguire Horl of St. Anthony's HS
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending December 31, 2016 is 220lb junior, Maguire Horl, of St. Anthony's. Pinning six of his seven opponents during the week, the reigning CHSAA State Champion claimed a pair of tournament titles, winning the Friar Holiday Bash on December 27th and following it up with the crown at the Prep Slam in Georgia four days later...Seeded 10th in his bracket, Horl was the lowest rated student-athlete to claim individual hardware in the Peach State. He became just the third St. Anthony's wrestler in their four year history attending the event to go all the way. His performance was key in leading them to a 3rd place finish out of 40 teams.
Week 4 - Damien Caffrey of John Glenn HS
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending December 24, 2016 is 285lb senior, Damien Caffrey, of John Glenn. After wrestling to a 5th place finish at 170 lbs in the Section XI Tournament in 2016, Damien has moved all the way up to 285 lbs. This week, he cemented himself as a title contender by pinning last year’s runner-up and #1 ranked, Deonte Wilson of Amityville.
Week 3 - Jacob Borland of Northport HS
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending December 18, 2016 is 113lb junior, Jacob Borland, of Northport. Jacob was 5-0 at the Kings Park Duals, including wins over league champion, Matt Weitemeyer; league finalist, Chris Rivera (ranked 3rd); and all county, Mike Savello (ranked 5th).
Week 2 - Paul North of Connetquot HS
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending December 11, 2016 is senior, Paul North, of Connetquot. Paul was the 132 lb champion at the Gray-Fitzgerald Holiday Tournament at Sayville, going 3-0 for the day, including an exciting 3-2 finals victory over 3X All State, Jonathan Gomez of Locust Valley.
Picture courtesy of Paul North Sr
Week 1 - Matt Mustakis of East Meadow HS
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending December 4, 2016 is junior Matt Mustakis of East Meadow. After some time away from the mat, defeating a much bigger opponent, Matt won the 106 lb bracket at “Battle at the Beach.” He was 3-0 on the day including a 7-0 finals win over county runner-up, Pablo Martinez of Long Beach.
Picture courtesy of Flo Wrestling
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week, for the week ending February 12, 2017, is 182 lb senior, Brandon VanCooten, of Sewanhaka West. In the Section VIII finals, Brandon avenged a loss from earlier in the season, and won by fall over returning All-State and Sectional Champion Tyreek Bromley of Long Beach HS. Congratulations Brandon!
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending February 6th, 2017 is 170lb senior, Steven Holder, of Hauppauge HS. Seeded 4th in the League 5 Tournament, he defeated the #5, #1, and #3 seeds to win the tournament. His semifinal win, over the 3rd ranked wrestler in Suffolk County, helped Hauppauge edge out Rocky Point for the league title. Congratulations Steven !
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week, for the week ending January 22, 2017, is 138 lb senior, Vito Arujau, of Syosset HS. Vito earned his 200th career victory (and 158th in a row) to clinch a come from behind victory for his team over Westbury HS. Congratulations Vito!
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending January 15, 2017 is 220lb senior, Damien Caffrey, of John Glenn. Damien won the prestigious Eastern States Classic, going 4-0, including wins over both the NYS Division 1 220 lb. state champion and runner-up. Congratulations Damien!
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending January 8, 2017 is 285lb senior, Jeffrey Alvarez, of Long Beach. In a must win match, to decide the winner of the championship finals of the UE Duals, Alvarez won in the Tie Breaker periods over the #4 ranked wrestler in Suffolk County. The OT win secured the dual for Long Beach, making them back-to-back UE Duals Champions.
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending December 31, 2016 is 220lb junior, Maguire Horl, of St. Anthony's. Pinning six of his seven opponents during the week, the reigning CHSAA State Champion claimed a pair of tournament titles, winning the Friar Holiday Bash on December 27th and following it up with the crown at the Prep Slam in Georgia four days later...Seeded 10th in his bracket, Horl was the lowest rated student-athlete to claim individual hardware in the Peach State. He became just the third St. Anthony's wrestler in their four year history attending the event to go all the way. His performance was key in leading them to a 3rd place finish out of 40 teams.
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending December 18, 2016 is 113lb junior, Jacob Borland, of Northport. Jacob was 5-0 at the Kings Park Duals, including wins over league champion, Matt Weitemeyer; league finalist, Chris Rivera (ranked 3rd); and all county, Mike Savello (ranked 5th).
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending December 11, 2016 is senior, Paul North, of Connetquot. Paul was the 132 lb champion at the Gray-Fitzgerald Holiday Tournament at Sayville, going 3-0 for the day, including an exciting 3-2 finals victory over 3X All State, Jonathan Gomez of Locust Valley.
The LIWA Wrestler of the Week for the week ending December 4, 2016 is junior Matt Mustakis of East Meadow. After some time away from the mat, defeating a much bigger opponent, Matt won the 106 lb bracket at “Battle at the Beach.” He was 3-0 on the day including a 7-0 finals win over county runner-up, Pablo Martinez of Long Beach.