Former New York State Wrestlers Shine on National Stage

It wasn't that long ago when even New York State wrestling powerhouse Long Island received little respect from states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and California. But the tide has quickly turned the last couple of years. This is evident by the recent success of current and former new York wrestlers in national tournaments.

On the college level, 10 former new York state wrestlers placed at the NCAA D1 championships and one New York state wrestler, Josh Glenn, became the first national champion in any sport at American University. Here's how the other guys fared.

Gregor Gillespie - Edinboro (PA) 1st

Josh Glenn - American University (PA) 1st

Troy Nickerson - Cornell (NY) 3rd

Charles Griffen - Hofstra University (NY) 3rd

Chris Weidman - Hofstra University (NY) 3rd

Jamie Strauss - Hofstra University (NY) 4th

J.P. O'Connor - Harvard University (MA) 5th

Mike Patrovich - Hofstra University (NY) 6th

Jordan Leen - Cornell (NY) 8th

Joshua Arnone - Cornell (NY) 8th

On the high school level, New York wrestlers left their mark on all four divisions of the NHSCA Nationals in Virginia Beach. James Brundage of Ossining became Section 1's first sophmore All-American by taking 5th at 152 lbs. Here's how New York State placed in the other class tournaments.

Freshman - 1st

Sophmore - 1st

Junior - 2nd

Senior - 4th

Are there still pockets of mediocrity in New York? Sure there are, but more and more areas of the state are putting a wrestling infrasctructure in place, with youth programs, open mats, clinics and clubs.

By: Rick Contrata

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