Journeymen Classic Preview

Willie Saylor, Editor

 

 

A round robin format, Journeymen offers a preseason tune-up for the Northeast/New England region. The 4- or 5-man pools last year were filled with kids who would go on to win medals at their respective state tournaments. And this years field features many compelling match-ups. Here we’ll go through the pools and hit the matches we’re looking forward to.

 

Watch for coverage and videos from Sunday’s action here on Flowrestling.

 

 

103:

Premier Bout - Tommy Aloi (VA) vs. Yianni Diakomihalis (NY)

In interesting match here with a senior and an 8th grader. Aloi was a Runner-Up at NHSCA Jr’s. Diakomihalis is one of the country’s youngest stars. He’s ranked as the 5th overall prospect on our JR High Big Board.

Others: Jesse Della Vecchia (NJ), Jake Brindley (FL)

 

 

113 Pool A:

Premier Bout - #7-Brent Fleetwood (DE) vs. HM-Nick Piccininni (NY)

Ironman, Fargo, S32, Fleetwood’s placed everywhere. Piccininni is a rising Sophomore looking to break into the rankings. He was a State Champ in NY’s large school division last year as a Frosh.

Others: Joe Travato (NJ), Jimmy Overhiser (NY)

 

 

120 Pool A:

Premier Bout - Michael Bedard (NC) vs. HM-Anthony Cefolo (NJ)

A battle of two state champs loom here. Also in the pool is Kevin Jack, a State Champ from Connecticut and Ryan Pomrinca (NJ) a state medalist.

 

 

125 Pool A:

Premier Bout - HM-Will Koll (NY) vs. Zemenak (PA) vs. Passaro (NY)

A great pool here with State Champ, Koll leading the way. Zemenak doesn’t get a lot of pub, but he’s tough as state 4th placer. Passaro has some good wins under his belt as well. His brother, Maverick, made a name for himself about this time last year. Let’s see if Travis does the same. Also in the bracket is tough Sophomore, Sal Profaci (NJ), a state qualifier.

 

 

130 Pool A:

Premier Bout - HM-Giraldo (NJ) vs #20-Hertling (NJ); HM-Peacock (NY) vs HM-Fabian (NY)

The folks on the rankings message boards have been having a healthy discussion about these guys. Hertling placed 3rd last year as a Freshman. Giraldo was 5th in the same bracket.

Peacock is the defending State Champ, while Fabian was 4th last year.

Great match-ups all over the place.

Others: Anthony Espinosa (FL)

 

135 Pool A:

Premier Bout - #9-Scott Delvecchio (NJ) vs The Field

An undefeated State Champion last year at this same weight, Delvecchio is clearly the man to beat. But there’s some kids here that should make him work. Vincent Deprez was a Runner-Up down at 113 last year. And there are three other returning state medalists.

Others: Mike Pongracz (NJ), Austin Harry (PA), Nick Anderson (NJ)

 

 

140 Pool A:

Premier Bout - #6-Nick Kelley (NY) vs. #15-Joey Galasso (PA)

Kelley really turned some heads this summer with a fantastic 4th place Fargo showing. Galasso is a state placewinner and a FloNats’ finalist.

But one could envision this pool being total chaos. Brian Hamman is stud. He was 4th in Jersey last year. And Jason Estevez, also from NJ, was 3rd in the state and 4th at NHSCA JR’s.

 

 

140 Pool B:

Premier Bout - HM-Corey Stasenko (NJ) vs Gary Dinmore (NJ)

Dinmore was a State Runner-Up to Stasenko’s teammate, Anthony Ashnault, down at 126 last year. Stasenko had a fabulous year, entering the state tournament at 39-1, but placed 6th. Interesting bout.

 

 

145 Pool A:

Premier Bout - HM-David Almaviva (NY) vs HM-Mitchell Berenz (WI)

This 5-man pool is loaded with kids on the verge of national recognition. Almaviva was 3rd in the state last year and AA’d at Fargo. Berenz was a State Runner-Up and has had some success on the national scene. I could have picked several match-ups here, but this one intrigues me most.

Others: Maaziah Bethea (NJ), Thomas Dutton (NY), Colby Dean (VA)

 

 

152 Pool A:

Premier Bout - HM-Chad Walsh (NJ) vs Daniel Downes (MD)

Walsh was 5th in Jersey last year. Downes is a State Champ. Also in the pool are Brad Drover (MA) and Lucas Muntz (CT), who were 2nd and 3rd, respectively, at the New England Championships.

Others: Louis Hernandez (NY)

 

 

160 Pool A:

Premier Bout - #12-John Schleifer (NJ) vs Chris Woo (NY)

Schleifer is coming off a great season. He was 4rd in the state and the Champ at NHSCA Soph’s where Woo placed as a JR.

Others: Logan Dean (VA), Jake George (NJ)

 

 

170 Pool A:

Premier Bout - Chris Chorzepa (CT) vs Will Henson (MA)

Both Sr. New England finalists, Chorzepa won the title last year. 

Others: Dom Rigous (PA), Dan Wojtaszek (NJ)

 

 

182 Pool A:

Premier Bout - #16-Pete Renda (PA) vs Shayne Brady (NY)

A battle of State Runners-Up. Renda was 2nd at 152 in PA AA. Brady was 2nd in NY’s DI at 170.

Others: Nick Zak (NJ), Joe Balboni (NJ)

 

 

195 Pool A:

Premier Bout - Bryce Mazurowski (NY) vs Leo Trindade (MA)

Mazurowski was a State Runner-Up at this same weight. Trindade was 4th at NHSCA JR’s. All four in the pool were Top 4 placers in their respective state tournaments.

Others: Brandon Marcoux-Shaeffer, Carl Neff (RI)

 

220 Pool A:

Premier Bout - Roman Acetta (NY) vs Joe Sprung (NY)

Both wrestlers were qualifiers to their respective season ending tournaments: Acetta to National Preps, Sprung to NYS.

Others: Jack Luciano (VT), Rich Sisti (NY), Joe Marcantonio (NY)

 

 

HWT:

Premier Bout - #16-Jesse Webb (VT) vs Alex Soutiere (NY)

Webb has won both NHSCA FR and SO. Soutiere was a State Runner-Up in NY’s DII. Matt Montesanti was 6th in that same bracket.

Others: Nick Wimmer (NC)