Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Another year, another Plainedge wrestling domination.
In the Nassau County Division II championships last weekend, Plainedge won a second straight championship for the first time and qualified a record seven wrestlers to the individual state tournament in Albany Feb. 28-March 1.
Plainedge won the team county title by 100 points over Seaford in a massive rout and boasted three county titlists – Kyle Carter (145), Luke Nieto (152) and Devin Downs (190). All three were repeat champions. Carter and Nieto are seniors and Downs a junior.
Last season, the Red Devils won the state team title but fell short this year two weeks ago, finishing second in controversial fashion. But the county showing was superlative.
“I thought our young guys really wrestled well,’’ said coach Rob Shaver. “ Our backup guys who are stuck behind some of our guys really excelled.’’
Plainedge only had two seniors on the roster after losing six All-County performers form 2024. Six were seniors and Luke’s brother, sophomore Jake, transferred to Chaminade.
Still Plainedge maintained its beast mode and now six wrestlers head to states. They are: Luke Wortzel (101), who is an eighth grader, junior Nick Gerbasi (116). Carter (145), Nieto (152), junior Jake Dephilips (160), Downes (190) and junior Jayden Camp (215).
Plainedge had never won two straight county tournament titles, and the Red Devils weren’t even tested.
“To win as much as we can, I’m incredibly proud,’’ Shaver said. “The young guys stepped up did an unbelievable job. We wrestled a lot of young guys. We lost six All-County wrestlers and still qualified the most-ever for states.’’
One youngster in particular was Vincent Mistretta at 116. The sophomore finished third in counties and just missed out a top-2 finish that would’ve put him at states.
Meanwhile, Downs is the brightest of their stars. He is the returning state champion and bids for a repeat. At counties, he won “Outstanding Westler’’ and the award for pins in the least amount of time. “He wasn’t challenged too much at the counties,’’ Shaver said.
Nieto will look for his first state title after winning counties. He was runner-up at states last year. “Hopefully he’s ready to take the next step forward and win states,’’ Shaver said.
The only sour moment for Shaver’s wrestlers came at the state team tourney in Syracuse when it finished second to John Glenn from Suffolk County. Shaver feels the Red Devils got a raw deal.
He calls the loss “on a technicality.’’ The Plainedge wrestler was ahead 14 points when he got flagged for a cross-face and John Glenn’s wrestler went down injured.
“The coach told him to take a dive,’’ said Shaver, who is also the football coach and retired from teaching this year. “The coach told him to stay down. They won instead of us but it was a controversy.’’
The North Massapequa school has a chance to erase that disappointment in Albany as the Red Devils keep on their wrestling roll.
