Thursday, October 1, 2026
Wantagh wrestling made strides throughout the 2014-15 season with a young team that ultimately led to placing first in the Nassau County individual championships at Hofstra for a fifth straight year.
Fifth-year head coach Paul Gillespie is hoping for a similar progression this season with a roster once again dominated by underclassmen. “I think we can win the counties again but it will be tough,” said Gillespie, who expects Massapequa and Long Beach to be among the teams challenging Wantagh’s dynasty. “We have a great group of kids.”
One of Wantagh’s few upperclassmen is junior Michael Killard, who finished third in the county championships last year. He earned Long Island Wrestling Association Wrestler of the Week honors after taking home first place in the 120-pound bracket at the Battle at the Beach tournament in Long Beach on Dec. 5.
Sophomore Justin Vines returns after placing second in the counties at 99 pounds. Vines earned a wildcard entry into the New York State Championships in the 101-pound weight class. “He has a good shot of winning the counties,” Gillespie said of Vines, who placed second in the Battle at the Beach at 108.
Sophomores Gavin Casey, Charles Maier and James Langan are also back, armed with more experience following successful freshman campaigns. Casey and Langan finished fifth in the counties with Charles placing sixth on the Hofstra stage.
Seniors Nick Barberio and Andrew Eget are providing leadership to a youthful Wantagh team while competing at 152 and 160, respectively, Another senior serving as a captain with Barberio and Eget is Nyatasha Jackowicz, the lone female on the team who has wrestled on junior varsity before and is getting her chance to hit the mats at the top level this season.
She is not afraid to mix up with the big boys,” Gillespie said of Jackowicz, who holds a black belt in judo. “She is doing very well for us this year.”
Other wrestlers hitting the mats in Wantagh’s quest for a championship include brothers Josiah and Chris Encarnacion, who are just in eighth and ninth grade, respectively. Gillespie’s deep lineup also includes Kyle Schairer (132), George Albert (138), Robert Marshall (145), Kyle Kaefer (170), Nick Coppola (182), Larry Baker (220) and Pat Smith (285).
Gillespie’s coaching staff features assistants Reggie Jones Jr., Ray Hanley Sr., Ray Hanley Jr., P.J. Gillespie and Todd Bloom. After a challenging regular schedule, the Warriors will compete in the Nassau County Dual championships on Jan. 29-30 at Clarke High School in Westbury. The individual county finals are slated for Feb. 13-14 at Hofstra’s Mack Sports Complex with the New York State Championships taking place at the Times Union Center in Albany on Feb. 26.
“Winning the counties is a good goal for the kids to look at and try to attain,” said Gillespie, who prior to taking over the Wantagh program captured 17 county titles with Long Beach. “I think by the end of the year, we can get everyone ready.”
