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A Few Clouds Wantagh wrestlers add to trophy case
Wantagh’s Thomas Bonasera, Anthony Clem and Jesse Vanorden all reached the All-County wrestling podium last winter by placing in the top six of their respective weight classes.
On Sunday, they were back on the big stage at Hofstra University and made the most of it. They secured three of the Warriors’ four Nassau Division 1 championships, leading them to a repeat team title along with repeat county champ Joseph Clem.
“We have a very close-knit team and a tremendous coaching staff,” Wantagh coach Paul Gillespie said. “These guys will be friends for life.”
The Warriors racked up 253 points to finish well atop the team standings. Long Beach was second with 208.5, followed by MacArthur with 183.5.
“Our team is a brotherhood,” said Bonasera, a senior who after placing third last season defeated Lynbrook’s Dylan Vanegas in the 138-pound final, 6-2. “I broke my arm two years ago and this is a dream come true,” he added. “There were times I thought I wouldn’t be back, but everyone supported me. I couldn’t ask for a better group of coaches and teammates.”
Gillespie said Bonasera’s performance at the prestigious Eastern States Tournament last month boosted his confidence to another level. “Tommy has put a great amount of rehabilitation and work in since his injury,” Gillespie said. “He had a huge win at Eastern States that he’s been feeding off.”
Bonasera and Vanorden, a junior who took fifth in the county last season, are workout partners. Vanorden (44-1) joined Bonasera at the top of the podium one match later when he grinded past Bethpage’s William McMullen in overtime, 4-2, at 145.
“I’ve had a good rivalry with McMullen and we both wanted it bad,” Vanorden said. “We were both fighting like hell and I was glad I was able to find a way in the end.”
Anthony Clem had a dominant run to his first county crown with three technical fall wins leading up to a 12-4 major decision over Uniondale’s Angel Banegas in the 118-pound title bout. Clem, a junior, is 49-4.
Anthony’s twin brother, Joseph Clem, renewed his rivalry with Calhoun’s Ray Adams in the 126-pound final and won a 3-0 decision for his second straight county championship. Clem (44-5) earned the both the Gary Ventimiglia Most Outstanding Wrestler and the Ted Petersen Champion of Champion awards.
“Unbelievable kids and wrestlers,” Gillespie said of the Clems.
The Warriors had two other defending county champs fall a little short. Senior Ryan Arbeit was runner-up at 132, and senior Noah Corwin was runner-up at 172.
“All six of our kids headed to Albany can finish All-State,” Gillespie said. “That would be a great way to cap an incredible season.”
