Impressive start for Baldwin

Baldwin’s managed to carry over momentum from the 2018-19 wrestling season and is looking to be a factor at the county championships come late February.
The Bruins, who capped last winter with 11 county qualifiers and a trip to the quarterfinals of the team playoffs, captured their first four dual meets, including knocking off rival Oceanside as well as its first two Conference 2A opponents to build the early momentum coach Jim Murphy was looking for.
“You always want to peak at the end, but it’s also nice to have a strong start,” Murphy said. “I think it shows all the work these guys put in during the offseason. They got a real taste of success and they’re hungry to keep it going. We’re going to get tested in the next week so we’ll see what we’re made of.”
Both of Baldwin’s All-County finishers — Matt Kong and Jahlil Treasure — and both of its qualifying tournament winners — Paul Wehr and Shea Booth — all graduated. However, five sophomores who competed on the big stage at the county tournament at Hofstra are setting the tone for this season’s lineup, Murphy said.
Isaiah Blemur had 19 wins, while Kahlil Cuffe, Jelani Dowe and Jendy Rodriguez racked up 17 apiece. In addition, Romani Williamson held his own while facing more experienced competition at 182. They’re all off to fine starts as juniors, along with senior Keshawn Rose and sophomores Stanley Zapata and Daniel Martinez. Rose also has county tourney experience.

“The team is shaping up nicely,” Murphy said. “We’re still kind of young. We’ve streamlined the program where younger kids are seeing the same things from our coaches as they get older.”
In a 48-30 victory at South Side in the conference opener Dec. 18, the Bruins won eight of the 14 contested bouts and also got forfeit points at 195. Zapata (126), Kwasi Bonsu (170), Williamson (220) and Rose (113) all recorded pins to lead the charge. Martinez won by tech fall at 132, Demetri Walker took a major decision at 145, Dowe prevailed by tech fall at 152, and Cuff rolled at 182.
Two nights later, in the conference home opener, the Bruins lost the opening bout against Plainview before ripping off seven consecutive wins on the way to cruising to a 50-17 win. Junior Julian Appolon (106) and Rose both needed just 32 seconds to pin their opponents. Blemur made it three straight pins, then Zapata, Martinez and sophomore Ruben Jovel (138) all won by decision. Eighth-grader Jonathan Wornian capped the stretch with a pin a 145. For good measure, Joseph Ramirez added a pin at 160.
“We have a lot of competition in the room because of our depth,” Murphy said. “There’s a bunch of weights where I’m not really sure who’s going to be the starter on a given day.”
Murphy is interested to see how Baldwin matches up against the likes of MacArthur and East Meadow in upcoming conference meets.
“I see us as a Top 10 team by the end of the season,” he said.