State championship for Teemer

Jacori Teemer couldn’t have set the bar higher in his first season on Long Beach’s varsity wrestling team after cracking the lineup as a middle school student.

Last Saturday night at Albany’s Times Union Center, Teemer made history when he became the first-ever eighth-grader from Nassau County to capture a New York State championship. He claimed the 99-pound crown by pinning seventh-grader Adam Busiello of Eastport in 4:36.

“It’s exciting,” said Teemer, who was trailing Busiello 7-5 early in the third period when a double-leg move led to a takedown and eventual pin. “I didn’t think I’d pin him with the move, but I’m glad I did.”

Teemer is the 11th state champion for the Marines and the second in three seasons following Dylan Palacio in 2012, noted head coach Ray Adams. “There was no doubt in my mind Jacori was capable of winning, but when you think about the history of Nassau County wrestling and realize no eighth-grader accomplished this feat before, it’s truly amazing,” Adams said. “It’s a testament to his ability and work ethic.”

Teemer (47-2 record) opened the state tournament last Friday in front of his parents, Krystal Agee and Alan Teemer, siblings Alan, Jordan and Anala Teemer, other family members and some teammates with a 10-5 victory over freshman Brian Kelly of St. Anthony’s. Jacori then beat fellow Long Islander Tommy Cox, a sophomore from Deer Park, 12-10, in the quarterfinals.

Adams said Teemer’s semifinal opponent Saturday morning, Alfredo Olmedo of Arlington, had allowed just one point in his first two matches and had an edge in the experience department being a senior. “I told Jacori he had to use his slickness because the Olmedo kid was physically stronger,” Adams said. The coach added it was important for Teemer to start strong and keep his confidence up, and he did so by scoring the first four points on the way to securing a 7-5 decision.

Teemer spent some of the nearly eight hours between the semifinals and finals grabbing some lunch, playing video games, and catching a nap. Prior to the finals, he warmed up with teammate Elijah Rodriguez and Palacio, who wrestles at Cornell University and made the trip.

“It was a great experience,” Teemer said.