Ram wrestlers score at N.J. War on the Shore
April 10, 2024 at 11:01 p.m.
They call it the "War at the Shore," and while it isn't anything resembling a real war, it is the name for a very competitive and prestigious off-season wrestling tournament in Wildwood, N.J., a popular five-mile island with all kinds of touristy attractions on the Jersey Shore.
The Port Chester wrestling Rams sent eight wrestlers there to do more than chill, relax and roam the famed 38-block boardwalk with its Ferris wheel, rollercoaster, other amusement park rides and white sand beaches.
Glimpse into future
It was a Rams tune-up, a prelude to the high school wrestling season to come.
And the local octet came away whistling a happy tune.
Ultra-promising 8th-grader Laila Builes, Port Chester's international age and weight class jiu jitsu champion, won both the girls’ high school and middle school lightweight divisions Mar. 29-30 to lead Port Chester's wrestling hit parade.
And four of the Rams’ eight wrestlers won at least one match in a variety of weight categories.
The Rams lineup
Senior Erik Coyt, wrestling at 115 pounds, finished 3-2 in the tournament and was the Rams’ next best wrestler.
Port Chester Ram wrestlers who went to the War on the Shore tournament in Wildwood, N.J., Mar. 29-30 gather for a photo together on the boardwalk. They are, from left: Erik Coyt, José Rivera, Nicholas Pereira, Julian Estevez, Christopher Quito, Eduar Polanco and Fabian Avalos.Courtesy of Joe Facciola
Other Rams showing strength while wrestling in the various weight classes included:
Juniors Fabian Avalos (wrestling at 122 pounds), Julian Estevez (128), Eduar Polanco (134), Nicholas Pereira (154) José Rivera (162) and sophomore Christopher Quito (162).
Out of that group, Builes, Coyt, Polanco and Pereira qualified for the Divisional Championships during the past season and wrestled in the first sectional wrestling championship ever to be held at the County Center in White Plains. The others showed great promise.
Experience worth it
Rams head wrestling coach Joe Facciola, a former All-Section light heavyweight wrestling champion, three-sport varsity star and current physical education teacher in the Port Chester School District, believes the additional tournament wrestling experience will help the team during the upcoming season in which Builes, Polanco and Pereira are expected to be among the team leaders as well as All-League and All-Section candidates.
Participation in the tournament involved a two-night stay at the Seaport Suites, including the first night weigh-ins.
But for the Rams, the experience at the War on the Shore was worth it.
Comments:
You must login to comment.