Freeport’s wrestling team has completed its dual meet schedule and has turned its focus to seeking individual success.
While the program is younger than typical seasons, second-year head coach Matt Cellan hopes that around 15 of his wrestlers can qualify this weekend to compete on the big stage at the Nassau County Individual Championships. There was no postseason tournament last year during a truncated 2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They haven’t had an individual championship in two years and it was a buzzkill last year,” Cellan said. “It is something that is motivating them this season.”
Senior Terry Ellis is among the Red Devils who Cellan sees as having a legit opportunity to reach the New York State Championships with a top three finish in the counties at 138 pounds. Ellis earned All-County accolades as a sophomore with a fourth place finish at 126 pounds. He was also voted by the coaches last year an All-County wrestler during his truncated junior season.
Fellow senior Daven Lewis (215) could also make a run at the states after working hard in the offseason in preparation for his final high school season on the mats. Lewis reached the counties as a sophomore.
Justin Reinke and Angel Cazares will also be in the mix for All-County honors and qualifying for the state championships. The two seniors have both thrived at 132 pounds and have experience competing in the counties as sophomores.
Juniors Martese Davenport (138) and Kesson Sorsor (152) are possible All-County contenders along with sophomore D’Angelo Gordon (160) and Ivo Gonzalez (152). Cellan is also hoping Kevin Larios (189), Juan Ramos (189) and Jordan Addison (heavyweight) can make deep county runs.
Amir Levy has shined as a first-year junior wrestler, who Cellan said has been the most improved on the roster. Freshman Jahari Lloyd has racked up over 20 wins at 102 pounds despite weighing around 95 and could also be a force on the county stage.
“I think he can win a lot of matches in the postseason,” Cellan said of Lloyd. “He is very tough.”
The Red Devils closed the dual meet portion of its schedule on a positive note with a 44-18 win against Westbury on Jan. 22 which Cellan hopes sets the tone for success in the counties.
“Every week we are getting better and we are starting to hit our stride,” Cellan said. “It is a young team and they are trying to prove themselves and I think they will.”
Freeport will take part in county qualifiers this weekend at Long Beach High School. The county championships are scheduled for Feb. 12-13 at Nassau Community College in East Garden City. Those who qualify will compete at the individual New York State Championships at the Times-Union Center in Albany from Feb. 25-26.
“They have been through a lot in the last two years,” Cellan said. “These kids stuck it out and toughed it out and they are getting the benefits of it now going into the postseason.”
