Thursday, October 1, 2026
After just missing out on capturing a team title, MacArthur wrestling will look to conquer the big stage at the upcoming Nassau County individual county championships.
MacArthur, which fell to Wantagh 38-28 in the finals of the Division 1 Dual Meet Tournament in late January, qualified 17 wrestlers for the county championship to be held this weekend at Nassau Community College. Thirteen-year MacArthur coach Rob Paletta sees potential for a number of wrestlers reaching the podium and hopes to send multiple Generals into the New York State Championships in late February.
“I think we are one of the top two or three teams in the county,” Paletta said. “We should be in the mix.”
Senior Killian Foy, who was a second place finisher in the counties two years ago, is looking to cap his high school career with a county title at 138 pounds and once again reach the state championships, where he placed fourth as a sophomore. Foy missed out on a chance to compete for a county crown last year during a truncated 2021 season with no postseason tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think he is one of the best in the state,” said Paletta of Foy. “He is looking to win it this year.”
Twin brother seniors James Clarkson and Matt Clarkson also have a strong chance at All County accolades at 215 and 285 pounds, respectively, with a chance to also qualify for the state championships with top-three finishes. James Clarkson is ranked first in his weight class after placing first in county qualifiers held this past Saturday at Plainedge High School.
Junior Paul Lichter (145) and his younger brother Matt (110) also have strong chances for All-County honors. Fellow junior Benjamin Velasquez, who won the qualifier at 189, also has potential to reach the podium along with freshman Jonathan Fox, who won the qualifier at 118.
“He is on a warpath,” said Paletta of Fox. “He is having a great season.”
Other Generals who punched their ticket to the counties during qualifiers last Saturday include Tom Copolla (102), Charlie Bergonzi (102), Mark Napoli (126), Junito Palomino (132), Sean Napoli (152), James Jennison (138), Ralph Boccio (145), Matt Powers (160), Nolan Tordy (152) and Allan Fernandez (172).
The county championships are scheduled to commence Saturday with the finals slated for the evening of Super Bowl Sunday. Those who qualify will compete in the individual New York State Championships in Albany from Feb. 25-26.
Paletta said going toe-to-toe with Wantagh in the county duals and tackling a grueling schedule that included taking part in a tournament at Sachem North against some of Long Island’s top wrestlers will pay dividends in the counties.
“I think the strength of our schedule and getting to the finals against Wantagh and all those matches start to add up,” said Paletta, a former MacArthur wrestling standout who was a runner-up in the 1991 county finals. “They build experience and give us confidence.”
