After an abridged season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Freeport wrestling is fueled to compete on the championship stage.
The Red Devils bring back some experienced seniors who will be motivated to reach the podium at the Nassau County Championships in February after not getting a chance to compete for titles last winter.
“They haven’t had a competitive in-season championship setting in two years and they are all fired up for it,” said second-year Freeport wrestling head coach Matt Cellan, who took over last season for Joe Chetti after he led the program for more than two decades. “They are really excited.”
Senior Terry Ellis, who earned All-County as a sophomore with a fourth place finish at 126 pounds, is aiming for a stronger showing in his final high school season at 138. The versatile Ellis, who was voted by the coaches an All-County wrestler during his truncated junior campaign, is able to hit the mats at a higher weight if necessary.
“He can wrestle anywhere from 132 up to 160,” Cellan said of Ellis. “It doesn’t matter how big the guy is, he is wrestling, he will go and wrestle probably their best guy.”
Ellis’ versatility was on full display at the Ralph Jansson Holiday Tournament at Valley Stream North on Dec. 18 when he pinned Valley Stream Central’s Justin Sierra in the 145-pound bout 2:18 into the match. He also pinned Sewanhaka West’s Erik Burkett in a 152-pound battle Dec. 15.
Seniors Justin Reinke (132), Angel Cazares (145 or 138), Daven Lewis (215) are also expected to be in the mix for All-County placements after working hard during the offseason. Fellow enior Kevin Larios is also making strides this season recording a pin of Seaford’s Karl Leudersdoff in the 189-pound consolation finals during the Ralph Jansson Holiday Tournament at Valley Stream North on Dec. 18.
Cellan said some of his younger wrestlers are showing growth early in the season including junior Kesson Sorsor, who defeated East Meadow’s Nicholas Spinato at 172 pounds. Sophomore D’Angelo Gordon (160) and junior Martese Davenport (138), who both shined on the Freeport football team in the fall, are also making strides on the mat.
Freeport is off to a 2-2 start in its dual meet schedule with convincing wins against Sewanhaka East and Sewanhaka West and losses to East Meadow and Wantagh, a county title contender. The Red Devils will tackle tough league competition on the road at Uniondale on Jan. 5 and Massapequa on Jan. 7 before hosting Syosset on Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
The Nassau County dual meet championships are scheduled for Jan. 22 at Clarke High School. The individual county championships are set for Feb. 12-13 at Nassau Community College in East Garden City.
“The goals for this team are to see improvements throughout the season leading to the county tournament,” Cellan said. “We are capable of being a top 10 team in Nassau.”
