The Freeport wrestling team is looking to make some noise at the individual county championships this weekend to give itself a presence on the state level.
Freeport qualified 11 for the counties slated for this Saturday and Sunday at Nassau Community College. Last Saturday, in the qualifier hosted by Long Beach, Juan Ramos (189 pounds) and Jordan Addison (215) led the Red Devils by capturing their respective weight class titles.
Ramos pinned Lawrence’s Yasser Jiminez in the finals, while Addison edged teammate Daven Lewis, 4-2.
While fewer Red Devils than normal will be competing amongst the county’s best, second-year coach Matt Cellan sees potential for a strong showing that could produce some qualifiers for the state championships with top three finishes.
“Most of our guys are wrestling their best at the right time of the year,” Cellan said. “A lot of other teams either plateau or go downward, but every year I feel we seem to wrestle the best at the best time."
Senior Terry Ellis is one of Freeport’s county championship participants who will have a strong chance to reach states at 138 pounds. Ellis, who placed second in qualifiers, earned All-County accolades as a sophomore with a fourth place finish at 126 and was voted All-County by the coaches last winter during his truncated junior season where there were no postseason tournaments. He enters the counties with a 20-5 record.
Cellan also hopes Addison or Lewis can finish in the top three at counties at 215 pounds. Lewis has experience competing in the county championships as a sophomore and worked hard in the offseason so he could have a big final push.
Senior Justin Reinke took fourth place at 132 in the qualifier and is expected to be in contention for All-County accolades with a top six finish this weekend. Fellow senior Angel Cazares, who Reinke edged out in the quarterfinals at qualifiers, also earned a spot in the counties with a wildcard entry after placing sixth in a very challenging weight class. Jasir Teran (145) was another wildcard selection to advance.
Freeport also qualified two wrestlers at 110 in freshman Josh Cabrera and sophomore Gio Crisanti, with both knocking off higher seeds to advance. Also qualifying were Kesson Sorsor (152) and Amir Levy (160.)
"I'm very impressed with the toughness of our team," Cellan said. "They are starting to hit their stride."
The county championships conclude the evening of Super Bowl Sunday. Those who qualify (top three in each weight class) will compete in the individual New York State Championships at the Times-Union Center in Albany from Feb. 25-26.
Former Freeport wrestler Ty’Liel Robinson, who is now shining on the mats in the New York City Public Schools, is still influencing the Red Devils by working out with the team in the offseason. Robinson, who wrestles for Springfield Gardens, is competing in the PSAL Championships and will be a contender to reach states.
“He works out with our guys and in our summer and fall practices he is always in there trying to motivate,” said Cellan of Robinson, who only has one loss on the season. “He is a very tough wrestler."
