wrestlers traveled to unchartered waters for the still-young wrestling program by competing in the two-day Mid-Hudson Wrestling Tournament on Dec. 27 and 28.
The Coach Jones-led squad experienced some of the best wrestlers in section(s) 1 and 9 as well as a team from Massachusetts and Connecticut who made up the 16-team tournament. The uniqueness of this event was that on day one each wrestler was in a 16-man bracket broken up into four separate four-man round-robin pools. The top two wrestlers in each pool advanced to the eight-man championship bracket on day two. The two wrestlers who did not qualify for the winners bracket participated in a similar eight-man consolation bracket on day 2.
Still enjoying his recent win over the number one ranked wrestler at 106 lbs. in Nassau County, junior captain Simon Greebel was the first of three Hewlett wrestlers who swept through their pools with three straight wins together with senior captain Troy Smith (152 lbs.) and junior captain Rob Rosenberg (132 lbs.). Joining them in the winners bracket were four other wrestlers, Oran Revivo (126 lbs.), senior captain Habner Sanchez (182 lbs.), Justin Ciraolo (195 lbs.) and Lester Enriquez (285 lbs.) giving Hewlett seven of nine possible medal winners on day 2.
On day two, Greebel continued his winning ways by steamrolling into the finals with a win over a number one ranked 106 pounder from Section 9 with a stunning pin. In the finals, Greebel beat the hometown favorite with a 2-0 win in OT to secure a Hewlett champion.
Although both Troy Smith and Rob Rosenberg hit a minor speed bump in their road to the finals, both came on strong to secure third place finishes. Revivo, who battled shoulder injuries during the entire tournament and wrestled with true grit, ultimately took eighth place. Sanchez and Ciraolo wrestled their hearts out and demonstrated great improvement, both securing sixth place finishes. Enriquez battled his way with true emotion to a fifth place finish.
Junior captain Aaron Weinberg (120 lbs.), who had a rough day one, displayed incredible fortitude, winning three straight matches to win the consolation bracket and securing ninth place. Tredd Smith (145 lbs.), the team's only ninth grader, displayed experience beyond his years, securing 10th place for the team.
Although Hewlett only had nine weight classes represented out of 15, they secured eighth place out of 16, showcasing their talent and making believers out of Section 1 and 9 teams who knew nothing about the team. Coach Jones was extremely proud of his wrestlers and is looking forward to the team’s next match, scheduled for Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at Plainedge High School.
