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2024 Super 32 Rundown/Salute to the Stars

10/16/2024, 12:15pm EDT
By NY-USAW Media Team

Sullivan + Mannellos Win Youth Titles; NYS puts 15 on the podium!!!

HIGH SCHOOL:

113: Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez (Long Beach-8; 7-3/6th)

Finishing the weekend with an overall tally of seven victories (7-3), NY-USAW's #1 overall 2026 Big Boarder succeeded in exceeding his seed by one spot (seeded 7th)...

Upset in the round of 16 by 2024 NHSCA MS runner-up, CJ Caines (PA), who came out of nowhere to finish 4th; the 3x NYSPHSAA DI State medalist/2x finalist/2022 Champ out of Long Beach made the extended climb back to the podium by peeling off victories in four consecutive consolation appearances...

His winning streak commencing behind a two takedown effort that yielded him a 7-2 decision over #12 ranked Killian Coluccio (024 NJ State Bronze medalist/2024 Fargo 16U FS 4th), to close out day #1, Sibomana-Rodriguez had a flair for dramatics on Sunday as all three of his day #2 triumphs came in comeback fashion...

Squaring off with 2024 Michigan State titlist, Mason Katschor, the New Yorker trailed 4-1 at the onset of the 3rd period, but was able to take control of the bout by hitting a low-single for a takedown with 1:20 to go in regulation before then tacking on a full set of NF off of a tilt en route to a 9-6 decision...

Versus Floridian, Liam Davis (3x Prep National AA/2023 runner-up; 2023 NHSCA 7th), the Marine junior was down 4-3 in the last half minute of the 3rd period of the blood round contest; but came up clutch again when he utilized a duck into a dump for 3+4 to propel himself onto the podium by way of the 10-4 decision!!

Trailing 1-0 in the waning moments of his head-to-head with Wyoming Seminary senior/2023 NHSCA bronze medalist, Nikos Filipos, Sibomana-Rodriguez was awarded the TD (after a 30+ second scramble) in the last :07 ticks to steal the 3-1 decision...

He'd drop his next two outings to the #9 and #1 ranked wrestlers in the land---Bradley Patterson (3x Georgia State medalist/2x Champion; 2x NHSCA All-American/2024 National Champion) & Ignacio Villasenor (2024 Colorado State Champion;  2023 UWW U17 World Bronze medalist; 2021 Pan-American U17 Double Gold medalist; 2023 Super 32 6th) to round out his tourney!

Prior to the R16 loss to the Keystone Stater [Caines], Sibomana-Rodriguez notched 21-1, 1:39 fall (up 12-0), and 5-1 decisions over Leland Mendez (2024 Virginia State Qualifier), Nathan Harvey (2024 Florida State Qualifier), & 2024 California State 7th, Zack Samano!

Now a first-time Super 32 placer, the Long Islander adds this accolade to the 2024 NHSCA 5th he posted in April; not to mention the Double Fargo Junior AAs (FS National crown) from July!!

113: Oumar Tounkara (New York Military Academy-NP; 6-3/8th)

Relying on his "big move" potential, the 2024 NHSCA Junior National Champion who is in his first-year attending the New York Military Academy, would accrue a 6-3 resume while proving plenty of content for the highlight reel...

Ousted from belt contention in the Round of 16 by #5 ranked Johnathon McGinty (2x NJISAA State placer/2024 runner-up; 2x NHSCA AA/2024 runner-up), the Gotham City resident fought back to win three in a row in the wrestlebacks...

Capping off the first day of action when in the midst of a then scoreless bout, he stepped over on a whizzer to put Jovanni Tovar (2024 Florida State Champion; 2024 Fargo 16U FS 7th; 2023; 2023 Super 32 MS 5th) on his back where he was held until the slap of the mat came at the 1:40 mark!!

Keeping that momentum flowing at the start of day #2, he turned a 3-0 lead (1st period TD off of a throw-by) into an early outing at the office when he was able to secure a neutral pin from the waterfall position versus Indiana's Noel Verduzco (Multiple Middle School State Champion; 2024 USAW Folk Nationals 14U National Champion; 2024 USAW Kids 14U FS Bronze) in a time of 2:04...

The ultimate of his aforementioned six arm-raising efforts being without question his most impressive; in deja vu fashion from a day earlier, he'd again be able to hit a defensive counter, as he stepped over on the shot attempt of his opponent, #11 ranked Alex Rozas (2x Louisiana State Champion; 2x USAW Folk Nationals Champion; 2x NHSCA AA/3rd in '24) for 3+4 to jump out to a 7-0 edge before hanging on for a 7-5 decision!!!

Defeats at the hands of Caines and Filipos ensued at the backend of his journey; but did nothing to damper an otherwise spectacular showing...

Previous wins on Saturday came in the form of 9-6, 1:27 fall, and a 15-6 major at the expense of Austin Guerrieri (2024 Delaware State Champion), Coleton Klipa (2024 PJW 4th; 2024 Fargo 16U GR 8th), and 2z Ohio State placer, Jake Landis!

Just another example of his skyrocketing ascension to the national elite during the past 6-8 months, in addition to the brass ring in Virginia Beach and his top-8 this weekend in Greensboro; Tounkara was also a Fargo Junior FS 8th! 

132: Gavin Mangano (Shoreham-Wading River-11; 7-3/6th)

When you already come in as the #2 overall individual in the class rankings (2027) of your respective cohort; it is not easy to "raise your stock"....

But that is exactly what the 2x NYSPHSAA DII finalist/2024 champion out of SWR managed to accomplish, as he rode a 7-3 wave (5-0 on Saturday) to his first Super 32 placements on the HS level (was a 2x placer/2022 runner-up in the MS tourney)!!

Beating three nationally ranked opponents en route to the podium, Mangano capped off a dominant day #1 performance (68-1 margin in terms of points scored) when while enjoying an 11-0 advantage, he stuck 13th ranked Billy Townson (2x California State medalist/3x Fargo All-American) in 4:28....

A loss in the quarterfinals to #3 ranked Seth Mendoza (3x Illinois State Champion; 4x Fargo FS Medalist/3x finalist/2021 National Champion; 3x Super 32 placer/2022 Runner-up) temporarily curbed him; but he'd bounce back like the stud he is, to take out a pair of top-15 Garden Staters---#12 Patrick O'Keefe and #13 Adrian DeJesus in the blood round and consolation quarters...

A tale of two entirely polar opposite ways to come out on top of a wrestling match, in his head-to-head with O'Keefe (3x NJSIAA State placer/2022 runner-up; 2022 Super 32 8th; 2023 NHSCA 5th), Mangano found himself trailing 4-0 in the 3rd period before hitting a reversal to the back to garner the pin with 1:16 remaining in regulation...

When opposed by the latter [DeJesus], the Suffolk County resident was able to blow the contest open in the 2nd period when he connected with a counter ankle pick for the takedown and then added a tilt for 2NF to carry a 5-1 lead into the final stanza...He never looked back, adding a pair of E1s sandwiched around a TD from the 3x NJSIAA medalist (2x champ)/2x 2x Super 32 Bronze medalist/2022 NHSCA National Champion...

The KD Trained representative dropped a heartbreaker, 3-1, to #19 Layne Kleimann (2x Utah State Champion; 6x Fargo All-American) in the consolation semis and then forfeited the 5th/6th bout to 2024 Illinois titlist, Zach Stewart! 

The cited three top-20 triumphs being the calling card for what should vault Mangano back on top of the 2027 big board; what should not be overlooked are the domineering 16-0, 16-0, and 10-1 outcomes he collected during Saturday morning over  (2x Alabama State titlist),  (3x Colorado placer), & 2024 PIAA Qualifier/2024 NHSCA 6th, Gavin Green!

Mangano's top-6 in Carolina complements the NHSCA Freshman crown won in April and his 16U Freestyle bronze medal in Fargo!

165: Liam Carlin (Greens Farms Academy-NP; 6-2/4th)

The Evil Empire's loss has turned into a seeming windfall for the Land of Nutmeg (Connecticut)....

Taking his talents to Greens Farms Academy after a decorated career that witnessed him become a three-time NYS placer/2x finalist/2024 champ on behalf of Burnt Hills, Liam Carlin could not have dreamed up a finer debut as a Dragon, as he emerged from an unfavorable (#20) line on the bracket to a top-4 display!...

The lone NY entry to punch his ticket to Sunday' semifinals, we have never seen a better version of the young gentleman hailing from Section 2 as he'd kick off his tournament on a five-match streak (finished 6-2 ), including a marquee 1-0 shutout (escape in the 2nd, rode out the entire 3rd) in the R16 over #10 ranked Benjamin Smith (now attending NYMA; 2x Prep National All-American; 2x Fargo Junior GR Bronze medalist; 2x NHSCA All-American)...

Trailing his quarterfinal match against 3x Ohio State placer (2024 Champion)/2022 NHSCA National runner-up, Luke James, 4-1, with under 50 ticks to go in the 3rd period, Carlin powered through on a double-leg and then rode out the ensuing 45 seconds to send the contest to sudden victory....In the extra frame, he'd "go back to the well and find water" with that double-leg, as he drove through for the winning TD with :41 showing on the clock to seize the 7-4 decision!!

His pursuit of the belt dashed in the semifinals by top-seeded/returning S32 runner-up, Dominic Bambinelli (#4 ranked; 3x Georgia State Champion; 3x Fargo All-American; 2x Super 32 placer/2023 runner-up; 2x NHSCA finalist/2022 champion),  the future UPenn Quaker [Carlin] did not hang his head, as he went on to split his last two appearances...

Registering one takedown apiece in each of the three periods, he cruised to a 9-1 major decision over 2x Indiana State placer, Aidan Costello, in the consolation semis before coming up just short (6-5; led for the majority of the match) against #8 ranked Salah Tsarni (2024 Prep National 7th; 2024 Fargo Double 16U AA/3rd in FS; 2024 NHSCA National runner-up)...

On day #1, he was emphatic in delivering beatings to the tunes of a 2:57 stick via arm-bar (up 7-0) and a 7-0 blanking in the rounds of 128 and 32 over Zach Wallace (2x Georgia State placer/2024 runner-up) & Bradlee Farrer (3x Utah State medalist/2x finalist (2023 champion); 2024 Fargo Junior GR 5th; 2024 NHSCA 4th)...

HONORABLE MENTION (Advanced to Day #2):

113: Anthony LaGala-Ryan (Longwood-11)---Advanced to the Round of 16 behind respective wins of 16-1, and fall in 1:50 over Oliver Lester (2024 Ohio Junior-High State runner-up; 2023 Super 32 MS 7th) & Jack Baker (2024 CIF State Qualifier; 2024 Fargo 16U GR 8th)...Added a tech fall win in the consolation bracket over Layne Martin (2024 Michigan State Qualifier; 2024 Fargo 16U FS 6th; 2023 USAW Folk Nationals 16U Bronze medalist)....Only losses to Patterson (R16) and Filipos (Consol 8 #1)...The 2x NYS DI 5th/2024 NHSCA Freshman titlist was two wins short of AA status
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126: Musa Tamaradze (New York Military Academy-NP)---Another of the early impact competitors for the Evil Empire during Saturday's morning session, he'd reach the Round of 16 by besting the likes of Draven Johns (3x Idaho State medalist/2023 runner-up; 2024 USAW Folk Nationals Junior 4th), Tanner Guenot (2024 PIAA State 5th), and 11th-ranked Gavin Jendreas (3x Indiana State placer/2022 runner-up; 2024 Fargo Junior FS 4th) by scores of 18-3, 16-0, and 8-4....After losing a heartbreaker in R16 in the UTB to Virginia's Colin Martin (3x Virginia State Champion; 2021 Fargo 16U GR 8th; 3x NHSCA All-American/2023 Runner-up), he rallied to post 8-2 and 18-5 wins over California's Chris Huerta (2x State placer/3rd in '23; 2021 USAW Folk Nationals 16U Bronze medalist) & Garrison Weisner (2x Ohio State placer/2024 runner-up)...No shame in falling in the blood round, as he had the misfortune of drawing returning S32 runner-up/#5 ranked Nathan Desmond (2024 Prep National Champion; 2x PIAA State Champion; 5x Fargo All-American; 3x Super 32 placer/2023 runner-up; 2022 NHSCA National Champion)!!!..One win short of AA status
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157: Griff LaPlante (St. Francis-C)---After being on the wrong side of a Round of 32 upset against 2024 PIAA 8th, Nadav Nafshi, the 2024 NYS DI runner-up/NHSCA Sophomore National Champ strung together an impressive four-bout winning streak in the consolations, as he personally was responsible for ousting fellow blue chippers---Declan Koch (2x Wisconsin State medalist/2024 Runner-up; 2x Fargo 16U GR All-American/2022 Runner-up), Leonard Ashley (3x Virginia State finalist/2024 Champion; 2x NHSCA All-American/3rd in '22), & Beau Lewis (3x Virginia State medalist/2x finalist/2024 Champion) by scores of 4-1, 7-4, and 5-2...Unfortunately, he'd collide with a hammer in the person of #10 ranked/2024 JFC champ, Benjamin Weader (3x Virginia State placer/2023 Champion; 2x Fargo FS All-American), who denied him in the blood round!!!...Prior to the cited hiccup in R32, the NC State bound junior ran away with a 13-2 major decision versus yet another Virginian, Justin Lowery (2024 State Champ)...One win short of AA status 

High School Breakdown

WEIGHT CLASS NAME SCHOOL RECORD PLACEMENT
106 Ethan Andreula Long Beach-8 1-2 DNP
106 William Soto Newburgh-9 5-2 DNP
113 Anthony Lagala-Ryan Longwood-11 4-2 DNP
113 Damian Tebano CBA-2 0-2 DNP
113 Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez Long Beach-8 7-3 6th
113 EJ Vass Valley Central-9 2-2 DNP
113 Jaron Barrientos Lewiston Porter-6 1-2 DNP
113 Oumar Tounkara NYMA-NP 6-3 8th
113 Vincent Orandello MacArthur-8 0-2 DNP
120 Ayden Cardona Xavier-C 0-2 DNP
120 Cael Bruce Baldwinsville-3 0-2 DNP
120 Cooper Merli Newburgh-9 3-2 DNP
126 Anthony Severino Lindenhurst-11 2-2 DNP
126 Finnegan O'Brien Chaminade-C 3-2 DNP
126 James Nalbone Bethlehem-2 1-2 DNP
126 Luke Satriano Valley Central-9 3-2 DNP
126 Musa Tamaradze NYMA 5-2 DNP/BR
126 Vincent Mastrianni Colonie-2 3-2 DNP
126 Will Russell Manhasset-8 1-2 DNP
132 Austin Fesinger West Genesee-3 0-2 DNP
132 Christopher Noto HFL-5 4-2 DNP
132 Gavin Mangano SWR-11 7-3 6th
132 Justin Mullis Hudson Falls-2 0-2 DNP
132 Ryan Ferrara Chenango Forks-4 3-2 DNP
132 Samson McKissick Staley Pittsford-5 1-2 DNP
138 Camryn Howard Bellport-11 5-2 DNP
138 Elijah Carrington Kellenberg-C 0-2 DNP
144 George Johnson Jr. Iona Prep-C 2-2 DNP
144 Greg Green Shenendehowa-2 1-2 DNP
144 Robert Demauro Mahopac-1 0-2 DNP
150 Anthony Tresch Minisink Valley-9 0-2 DNP
150 Ryker Cox Coxsackie-Athens-2 2-2 DNP
150 Zach Gerby Pittsford-5 2-2 DNP
157 Anastasios Tzezailidis Warwick Valley-9 1-2 DNP
157 Griffin LaPlante St. Francis-C 6-2 DNP/BR
157 Jason Kwaak Brentwood-11 3-2 DNP
165 Liam Carlin Greens Farms Academy-NP 6-2 4th
165 Maxx Fesinger West Genesee-3 2-2 DNP
165 Tyler Fromm Trinity Pawling-A 1-2 DNP
165 Wyatt Boice Minisink Valley-9 1-2 DNP
175 Casey Liess McQuaid Jesuit-5 0-2 DNP
175 Dylan Shelton North Rockland-1 1-2 DNP
175 Jacob Stephenson Wilson-6 0-2 DNP
175 Kayleb Martin Sackets Harbor-3 1-2 DNP
175 Steven D'Elia- Leahy Monsignor Farrell-C 0-2 DNP
215 Alexander Berisha Fox Lane-1 1-2 DNP
215 Michael Mauro John Jay EFK-1 0-2 DNP
215 Zach Caldwell St. Francis-C 1-2 DNP

GIRLS/WOMEN

95: Gail "Gigi" Sullivan (Monroe Woodbury-9; 4-2/5th)

Building off of the title she won at the Journeymen Women's World Classic, the 2024 NYSPHSAA Girls Invitational Champion proved that seeding her 11th was a mistake from the get-go as she'd get her arm raised in four of six outings en route to top-5 distinction at the lowest weight class!!

As part of a split of their two matches, Sullivan got the better end of round #1 versus 14th-ranked Lilly Breeden (2x Missouri State medalist/2023 Champion;  2024 Women's Nationals U17 5th; 2023 Fargo 16U 5th; 2023 Super 4th), as a passivity point/action clock violation in the last :20 of the 1st period was the lone score in a 1-0 round of 16 decision....Breeden later got her revenge in the consolation semis (7-3 loss)...

Locking up All-American status behind an 11-0 TF blanking in the quarters, the Monroe Woodbury/Apex product utilized a pushout, a pair of takedowns (snap + spin; double-leg), and a 2pt turn (cross-face turk) to carry a 7-0 lead into the break...She'd drive through for her third takedown of the match and then later add a 2pt counter exposure (chest wrap roll) to get on and off the mat in a time of 2:39 versus 2024 Women's Nationals 14U 6th, Brooklyn Henry (PA)...

A 4-0 loss in the semis to her rival, Isla Silva (#8 ranked; 2024 Women's Nationals Double titlist; 2023 USAW Girls Folkstyle National champ), in a clash of respective UWW Pan-American U15 gold medalist (Sullivan in '23; Silva this past June) ended her belt hopes...

Overcoming the two-match drought, Sullivan closed out her Sunday in proper fashion, as she required just 1:10 to rack up three takedowns (including a 4pt double off the whistle) and a 2pt gut wrench on her way to a 10-0 superiority against 2024 Fargo 16U 7th, Alliya Walker (Virginia)!...

Only in 8th grade, Sullivan will be back to Greensboro several more times before her scholastic career comes to a conclusion; as we confidently predict a belt (if not multiple) awaits her in the future!

112: Julianna Hernandez (Newfield/Rocky Point-11; 3-3/6th)

Seeded 18th among the 112-pound field, it did not take the 2024 NYSPHSAA Girls Invitational gold medalist long to prove that she is the REAL Deal!!

"Not an upset; she is just that good" being the headline of our in-tournament Facebook update post, the Newfield/Rocky Point freshman turned a 6-4 deficit into a 6-6 criteria win when she was able to get a 2pt exposure in the final :08 of regulation to upend returning Super 32 runner-up/#7 ranked, Harlee Hiller (3x Illinois State medalist/2x finalist/2023 champion; 3x Fargo All-American/2023 National runner-up; 2023 UWW U17 Pan-American gold medalist; multiple-time Women's Nationals All-American; 2x Super 32 placer/2023 runner-up) in the opening round of the festivities!!

The mega triumph directly out of the gate versus Hiller being the first of a pair of top-15 victories earned by the Long Islander; she'd later rely on a takedown and two 2pt exposures (including a cross-face turk of a 4-3 match with just over 1:00 to go in the 3rd) to navigate her way to a 6-3 blood round dub over #15 Deandra Meza (2x California state placer/2024 Champion; 2024 Women's Nationals U20 8th; 2023 NHSCA 3rd)... 

A natural thrower who is dangerous at all times because of her ability to make things happen in a blink of an eye; the Savage Academy Academy/Razor mentored filly demonstrated this aspect of her arsenal in the consolation quarterfinals when in a bout deadlocked at 4-4, she'd turn defense into offense, as she caught the head of 3x Maine Boys's State finalist/2x Champion, Madolin Ripley (also a 2024 USAW Folk Nationals Junior 4th; 2023 NHSCA National runner-up) off of her opponent's shot and tossed her to the back where he was able to complete the pin at the 3:18 mark to pick up her third and last (3-3) conquest of Sunday!!

No bad losses attached to her resume this weekend, two of Hernandez's blemishes came at the hands of the same nemesis, as Blair Academy's #10 ranked Marie Sharp (2024 Fargo 16U 5th; 2024 Women's Nationals Double Bronze medalist in the U15/U17 divisions; 2023 Women's Nationals 14U National Champion; 2023 Super 32 bronze) banked falls in the quarterfinals and 5th-place contest...

In the consolation semis, Hernandez pushed #9 ranked/2021 S32 runner-up, Gigi Bragg (2x Minnesota Boys State Qualifier; Multiple-time USAW Girls Folkstyle National Champion; 4x Fargo All-American/2022 Double Bronze; 2021 Pan-American U17 Gold medalist; 2x Super 32 placer/2021 runner-up), to the limits before dropping a hard fought 6-3 decision!

Hernandez's 6th in her Super 32 debut keeps her on the trajectory of becoming an Empire State legend, as she has previously been an age-group national titlist at 2023 USAW Folk Nats, 2024 Women's Nationals (14U), and most recently at the USAW Midwest Girls Nationals in early-October!!

Much like Sullivan; she is still very much in the fancy stage of a burgeoning domestic (and hopefully one day international) reign!

175: Michaela Thomas (Iroquois-6; 2-2/7th)

Looking to build towards a prosperous junior season for Iroquois, the two-time NYSPHSAA Girls Invitational medalist (2024 runner-up)/2024 Fargo Blood Rounder succeeded in competing up to her #7 seed...

Splitting four matches on Sunday, the Section VI resident displayed backbone and grit, as she'd shake over a loss in her opening round match to #5 ranked Jael Miller (3x Pennsylvania State finalist/2x Champion; 4x Fargo All-American) by clawing her way back to get the "w" in two of her next three trips to the mats...

Her initial taste of S32 triumph occurring in the blood round, she'd build a 4-0 lead behind a stepout (+1pt caution) and a snap + spin takedown before throwing in a lethal power-half to turn Oklahoman, Brooklynn McKinney, for the :40 fall!!

A loss to 2024 Journeymen Women's World Classic champion, Ylyana Sandoval (2024 Oregon State Champion; 2023 Fargo 16U 6th) in the consol. quarters dropping her down into the 7th/8th match; Thomas again was quick to collect the pieces and regroup...

Inducing a pair of stepouts during the first :40 of the 1st period to grab the immediate 2-0 advantage, Thomas made certain to lower the curtain in style, as late in the stanza, she launched a 4pt headlock and continued to squeeze until 2024 Texas State Qualifier, Reise Roach, succumbed to the mat slap at exactly :01 still on the clock!! 

Ladies Breakdown

WEIGHT CLASS NAME SCHOOL RECORD PLACEMENT
95 Anabelle Wessel Alexander-5 0-2 DNP
95 Gail Sullivan Monroe Woodbury-9 4-2 5th
95 Nialah Hawkins Susquehanna Valley-4 0-2 DNP
100 Jasmine Brucato HFL-5 0-2 DNP
106 Bianca Awerman Commack-11 0-2 DNP
112 Julianna Hernandez Newfield/Rocky Point-11 3-3 6th
118 Elouise Shifflet Clarence-6 0-2 DNP
124 Cael Vesper Clarence-6 0-2 DNP
124 Reese Adams Calhoun-8 2-2 DNP
132 Taylor Aiello John Glenn-11 2-2 DNP
175 Michaela Thomas Iroquois-6 2-2 7th

YOUTH (8U/11U/MS)

80 (11U): Joseph "JJ" Sullivan (CHAMPION)

When the team Monroe Woodbury comes to my mind, any NY wrestling fanatic immediately thinks of greats NYS Champions Jamie Franco and Mike Mormile. Current MW Head Coach John Gartiser also tasted the glory of wrestling for a state title, finishing with the silver, back in 2001. Fast-forward 16 years later, and Gartiser would coach Kendall Elfstrum to a NYS Championship, in dramatic fashion, an overtime win over Cardozo's Simon Chee 9-7 at 195lbs. 

The Crusaders are not shy when it comes to NYS prominence. JJ Sullivan is already making waves....and he hasn't even reached varsity yet! For the second straight year, JJ is traveling back north with another Super 32 title. As difficult as it is to win one Super 32 title, Sullivan left no doubt that title #1 wasn't a fluke. 

Coming into the tournament as the top seed and defending champion, the buzz was high and his bouts drew the attention of many ongoers. JJ came out firing on all cylinders consisting of back-to-back identical technical falls (15-0) in the first two rounds against opponents from Utah and North Carolina, respectively. 

In the semi-finals, the Crusader youngster drew PA hammer Ryder Ascherl. Ascherl was a 2024 Pennsylvania Freestyle State Champion, and runner-up in Greco. As expected, JJ would secure the opening takedown in period 1 and was in control the rest of the way, culminating in a 5-0 "dub" and a spot in the finale. 

Only a 5th grader, Sullivan would show extreme fortitude and grit in the finals against Boaz Diaz of Iowa.  Diaz, who posts quite the resume himself including a multiple-time Roller Series WOW All-American/Double 12U Gold at the 2024 Kids FR/GR Nationals/3rd at Super 32 in 2022, seemed to find a way to slow down the onslaught of scoring from JJ shown in the previous rounds. 

The cat and mouse game showed signs of a classic HWT match with the anticipatory ending coming in the ultimate tie-breaker. With neither competitor giving up any points in regulation or in overtime, UTB was going to settle it. The MW standout would start in the bottom position, 30 seconds and an escape away from his second Super 32 finals victory. JJ would only need 15 of those seconds, as he would escape the grasp of his counterpart and emerge victorious! More impressively, JJ would not surrender a single point throughout the tournament, 36-0 to be exact.

If you weren't aware of JJ Sullivan until now, grab some popcorn and a seat and be prepared to be amazed at what this young man can do on the mat! 

85 (11U): Marcarlo Mannello (CHAMPION)

The Evil Empire would claim gold in back-to-back bouts at 80lbs and 85lbs. After JJ Sullivan's narrow 1-0 victory, it was GPS trained Marcarlo Mannello who left no doubt as he steamrolled the competition, going 4-0, outscoring the opposition 42-6, including 1 fall and 1 technical fall. 

Coming in as the #2 seed, the youngest Mannello brother found his stiffest competition in the quarter-final round against Brixton Archuleta of California. The CA counterpart, who recently took 5th at the Grappler Fall Classic, got on the board first midway through the second period with an escape. Relentless in his attacks, Marc pushed the pace and secured a momentum-killing takedown with :09 seconds left in the second to take a 3-1 lead. 

A third-period escape would cap the scoring at 4-1 and the BBHVW youngster would advance. After completely dismantling Pennsylvania's Avery Haber (TF 17-2), the showdown was set with top-seeded Antonio Aguilar of California. The Fresno native was on quite the rampage himself, including 2 falls and an impressive 7-0 semi-final victory. Aguilar was the 2024 Triple Crown winner in the state of California. 

In the first two periods, Mannello would win the battle on their feet as he secured two beautiful takedowns and a 6-3 lead heading into the 3rd. Instead of coasting to what many would consider a solid/formidble win, Marc kicked it in overdrive and wrestled to the final whistle. To have that mindset at such a young age is remarkable. in the last minute of the match, MM increased his lead from 6-3 to 14-3 after an E1, a third takedown, and the icing on the cake (4 NF). 

105 (MS): Vincenzo Mannello (CHAMPION)

Not to be outdone by younger brother, Marcarlo, older brother Vincenzo concluded his 2024 off-season with his fourth major title (Journeymen FC, Ohio TOC, MAWA). The Mannello boys are here!!!

Vincenzo came onto the scene last season, taking 5th in NYS in Division 1, and is currently the number-ranked wrestler in the class of 2029 NY-USAW Big Board. He is distancing himself, by a wide margin, from #2 Daniel Jones (Burnt Hills-2) and #3 Alesandro Restrepo (Sachem East-11).

Vin proved that seeds are just a number. Entering the tournament on line 5, it was go time from the start. After the first 3 rounds, it was evident that the Westlake 8th grader came to wrestle. A 40-6 margin did not go unnoticed. 

After a 9-0 smashing of PA's Evan Cies, it was time for the top seed, Cole Schwartz. Recently, Schwartz won the prestigious Journeymen Fall Classic back in September. Unpahsed after a rough first period that saw Mannello down 6-3, a monstrous victory in period 2 where Schwartz was unable to get out from the bottom position. Something clicked in the third period. The GPS trained pupil WENT TO WORK scoring 9 (2 TDs/1 3pt NF) of the final 10 points of the match, securing a 12-7 triumph and a spot in the his first Super 32 finale. 

Phillip Hernandez (California) would oppose our NY standout. Hernandez would land the Section 1 star in familiar territory by securing the first takedown in the first period, taking a 3-0 lead. Knowing there was plenty of match left, Vin would go to work AGAIN! The GPS Swag kicked in and it would not be close as he would score the final 8 points to secure the second belt by the Mannello's on the weekend. It was his mat wrestling (2R, 2NF, 3NF, E1) that was the difference. 

A Family Sweep in Greensboro makes the trip back to the Empire State a tad bit more enjoyable. Two #1's headed back to Section 1!

HONORABLE MENTION:

75: Jace Rooney (East Islip-11)---The number 2 seed at 75lbs, went 7-1, dropping his lone bout to Ohio's Jaxon Holtz, 7-6 in R16. Holtz went on to finish second. Methodically, his backside trek to the bronze was all business, defeating 6 seeded wrestlers along the way.
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95: Jon Tutku (Massapequa-8)---Although the #2 seed, a 4th place finish is nothing to hang your head on, especially in a weight class as deep at this one. Tutku showed an immense amount of guts and Section 8 prowess after taking the loss on the frontside to Ohio's Nolan DeShon, 7-6. In back-to-back bouts (Consi-quarters/Consi-semis), an escape in each bout would be the deciding factor. It was the Massapequa lightweight's TOP GAME that was on full display. His leech-like presence was felt and proved pivotal in his success inside the Greensboro Coliseum. His tournament concluded with a 5-0 defeat to top seed, Cohen Reer (Ohio)
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65: Lincoln Brower (Warwick Valley-9)---Like Tutku, Brower was on line 2 and suffered an early-round loss. At this age, taking an early loss can be detrimental to many young athletes...Brower IS NOT ON OF THEM! 4 straight victories on the backside en route to a bronze medal finish. Three of those wins came by the narrowest of margins, 1 point to be exact over 3 seeded wrestlers. That type of composure, mat awareness, and match management is unheard of for the majority of HS athletes. To be comfortable in those situations will only propel Lincoln as he progresses into his later years. 

Middle School Breakdown

WEIGHT CLASS NAME SCHOOL RECORD PLACEMENT
75 Jace Rooney East Islip-11 7-1 3rd
75 Navelle Hawkins Susquehanna Valley-4 1-2 DNP
80 King Hawkins Susquehanna Valley-4 3-2 DNP/BR
80 Mason Little Shenendehowa-2 2-2 DNP/BR
85 Brennon Egan Amsterdam-Broadablin Perth-2 0-2 DNP
85 Jaxson Tocco Newfane-6 0-2 DNP
85 Max Hanselman Lowville-3 1-2 DNP
90 Alesandro Restrepo Sachem East-11 4-2 DNP/BR
90 Kael White Malone-10 1-2 DNP
95 Alex Hernandez Newfield-11 2-2 DNP
95 Drew Telesky Sherburne-Earlville-3 0-2 DNP
95 Jon Tutku Massapequa-8 5-2 4th
95 Max Kennedy Syosset-8 0-2 DNP
105 Vincenzo Mannello BBHVW-1 6-0 CHAMPION
120 Edward Stavros Hackley School-A 0-2 DNP
157 Adam (Paul) Ortega Watertown-3 3-2 4th

11 & Under Breakdown

WEIGHT CLASS NAME SCHOOL RECORD PLACEMENT
65 Leo Mastrosimone BBHVW-1 0-2 DNP
65 Lincoln Brower Warwick Valley-9 6-1 3rd
80 Joseph "JJ" Sullivan Monore Woodbury-9 4-0 CHAMPION
85 Marcarlo Mannello BBHVW-1 4-0 CHAMPION
90 Michael Ruckdaschel Orchard Park-6 0-2 DNP

8 & Under Breakdown

WEIGHT CLASS NAME SCHOOL RECORD PLACEMENT
50 James Loomis Mexico-3 1-2 DNP
50 Kamden Foster Hudson Falls-2 0-2 DNP
55 Jeffrey Lutes Kendall-5 1-2 DNP
60 Shaikh Ahmed Honeoye Falls-Lima-5 4-1 3rd

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