Golden Tornado wrestling pins the opposition

Warning the Golden Tornadoes have begun to sweep past the wrestling titans of Long Island and there is no stopping them.

Lawrence High School’s wrestling team has started the season the only way they know how — with tenacity, vigor and school spirit. Since the team’s return to the mat after a year, several new wrestlers have donned the blue and gold singlet for the first time.

The team attended the first dual meet of the season on Dec. 2 at Roslyn High School, showing great stamina and confidence.

Wrestlers had only been preparing for a few weeks yet a number of them managed to dominate their match.

Lawrence’s wrestling team has never been one to disappoint and it doesn’t plan on doing so this season either. 

At 138 lbs., sophomore wrestler Dany Alvarado, kicked off the season with a first-period pinfall. Varsity wrestler Alex Nieves, earned a victory against Roslyn at 110 lbs. Brian Gatica earned a first-period pinfall at 118 lbs.

Junior captain Quinn Kerins earned an astounding pinfall at 138 lbs. Senior Kevin Martinez attained victory against Roslyn at 215 lbs. and sophomore and JV grappler Celvin Fuentes closed the night with a win at 285 lbs. 

At the Battle of the Beach Tournament, the Golden Tornadoes demonstrated the fruits of their labor at practice.

Senior Leon Canales pinned his way to the quarterfinals at 189 lbs. Fuentes placed second at 285 lbs., demonstrating that first-year wrestlers at Lawrence can still do damage.

Varsity wrestler Alex Nieves placed fifth at 110 lbs. proving that he is beyond prepared for matches ahead. Senior Yasser Jimenez worked tirelessly to earn second place at the Long Beach Tournament, while making it clear to spectators that even a year off the mat isn’t enough to get a Golden Tornado rusty.

Though some may see a large population of neophyte wrestlers as a disadvantage, coaches, Kevin Jorge and Keith McDermott, insist that this is in fact an asset to the team.

Growth and improvement are inevitable for new wrestlers. It is this that will allow the team to become even better than before — through diligence, patience and determination.