Hewlett Wrestling Hosts Annual Fundraiser

As one of the newest wrestling programs in Nassau County, Hewlett-Woodmere's is still in its early building stages. Since the first season in 2007, however, the steps in which the program has taken is astonishing.

A handful of the wrestlers’ parents, who have played a large part as anyone in the development, met for an annual fundraising event last Tuesday at in Hewlett.

“We sustained the development of the program from the beginning. The parents have been very supportive because they believe in the sport,” said Mitchell Greebel, father of wrestler Simon. “Wrestling is a sport where you are either invested in it or you are not, and there is a group of parents who are into it and now there is a district that is into it.”

The fundraiser raised at least $1,000 for the program, combined with over $125,000 since the inaugural season opened up four years ago, according to Ken Rosenberg, father of wrestler Robert and one of the heads of the Hewlett-Woodmere Wrestling Committee.

The district stated it would initially support the first two years, between 2007 and 2009, of funding for the wrestling program as well as two years of middle school programs. Other costs inherited during that span were two new mats, room padding and team uniforms and equipment. With the success and growth Hewlett has shown, the district decided to continue its support thereon after.

“It is really important to have the outside support for a program. If you look at all of the top programs on Long Island, they all have the right support and do tremendous amounts of fundraising and the parents are heavily involved,” Rosenberg said. “That is how you build a program from the foundation. We want to also push to have wrestling demonstrations at the elementary school to promote the sport.”

In 2010-11, being matched in a tough division with programs who ultimately have long-standing traditions of their own, Hewlett struggled to come out on top. The team still managed to win a respectable 16 regular season matches. Furthermore, the Bulldogs finished with a surprising runner-up performance in the NIT Dual Meet Tournament at season’s end along with the programs’ first Nassau County place winner, Owen Bacheldor, who finished fifth at 96 pounds as just a seventh grader.

As Rosenberg said, the way to build a program is to start the influence early, before the students reach the high school level. With Bacheldor harping on success, as well as other young wrestlers in the district like Eric Carlo, who recently won the youth wrestling state championship, Hewlett now has something key to look forward to. Next year, Hewlett will also invite back Simon Greebel, Troy Smith, Robert Rosenberg and Aaron Weinberg, among others. Smith and Rosenberg recently placed at the freestyle wrestling state tournament as well.

“If it wasn’t for these parents, there wouldn’t really be a program. They know what needs to be done and they go with it,” said head coach Mike Jiminez, who has been with the program from the start. “Their continued support is amazing. They are behind me no matter what I decide to do, and that is very comforting.”

The fundraisers also support the Wrestling Ironman Scholarship, a $500 reward given to a graduating senior who served as a three-year starter and will attend a four-year college. Hewlett wrestling has stated plans to expand their travels within New York State to noteworthy tournaments next season, such as the Arlington Tournament in the Mid-Hudson Valley in December 2011. The proceeds will also support the travel and hotel costs necessary for the Bulldog wrestlers.

“They now know the hard work that needs to be put into the sport to get something out of it," Jiminez said. "It is phenomenal to go from no wins, to one, to four and this year to 16. All of the work everyone has put in is great.”