Monday, January 20, 2025
Baldwin wrestling produced five finalists, including 285-pound champion Jayden Young, in a strong showing at the Paul P. Grammatico Tournament hosted by Valley Stream South Dec. 14.
Young, a junior, pinned Tiernan Ferrick of South Side in the finals in 3 minutes, 30 seconds, to take home the crown. The Bruins also had junior Nahkin Stevens (116), junior Frantz Byron (145), sophomore Leonard Budden (170) and senior Matt Feeney (215) finish runners-up in their respective weight classes.
“Kids are improving every day,” Baldwin first-year coach Jake Horton said. “I’ve been happy with the progress so far. Half of our starters didn’t wrestle varsity last season, so it’s good for them to go through these early tournaments and get lots of experience. It can get tiring with four or more matches in a day, but it’s part of the growing process.”
Horton said Young, who helped lead Baldwin’s football team to the playoffs, is always in the weight room working to get stronger. “He’s a hard-working kid who’s strong as an ox and stays focused on the game plan for every match,” the coach noted.
Stevens is considered pound-for-pound the most-talented wrestler on the roster. He’s placed second in each of the first two tournaments — MacArthur and Valley Stream South while competing at a weight disadvantage. “Nahkin always seeks out the toughest competition,” Horton said. “He pushes himself to be better every day. He has excellent technique and does all the little things well.”
Byron, also runner-up in the first two tournaments, brings great character to the practice room and is a leader away from the mat, Horton said. “On the mat he’s a beast,” Horton explained. “He’s a difficult kid to score against. I’m expecting him to have a big season.”
Budden just missed making the finals at MacArthur and was in a 12-12 deadlock in the finals at Valley Stream South before ultimately falling to Roosevelt’s Sauricio Romero. “Leonard is an aggressive wrestler with a lot of potential,” Horton said. “If he puts everything together, he’s dangerous.”
Feeney, another integral part of the football team, is one of just a few seniors in the starting lineup. He was also runner-up at MacArthur. “Matt is our senior leader and a strong kid who moves well,” Horton said. “He can brawl like a heavyweight but also mixes in quickness.”
Seniors Jordan and Julius Mullins are expected to contribute in the 108-124 range, depending on how the roster shakes out over the next few weeks.
“We still have some guys figuring out what weights they’re going to land,” Horton said. “Right now we have a few logjams.”
Junior Caleb Chambers (138) has shown flashes so far, placing third at MacArthur and fourth at Valley Stream South. “He has talent and athletically can hang with anyone,” Horton said.
Sophomore Adam Hillburger also impressed at Valley Stream South with a clutch win in the quarterfinals and a lead over top-seeded and eventual champ Luciano Norman in the semis.
