The Nassau Wildcat Youth Wrestling Club was organized in December 2005. In that 1st season, we had 20 kids wrestling. This year (2008/2009), in only our 4th season, we have grown to over 60 wrestlers coming from the Wheatley, Herricks, Manhasset, Mineola, Plainview, Baldwin and New Hyde Park school districts. Thank you for your support as we continue to grow!
Practicing two nights weekly from November 18th through late February, the Wildcats split the grapplers into two groups based on experience (Beginners 6-7:15PM, Advanced 7:30-9PM). Optional tournaments start up on Sundays throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties beginning in December and running through February, wherein the Wildcats get a chance to test their skills against wrestlers from all over Long Island.
The Wildcats, in only three previous years of competition, have already become one of Nassau County’s premier clubs in terms of winning percentage on the mat. The team’s goals for its participants are to learn wrestling, spark an interest in physical fitness and above all, to have fun. This philosophy has made the Wildcat Wrestling Club one of the most successful in the county.
The coaching staff is extremely excited about the upcoming season, as the Wildcats return 8 of 9 All-County wrestlers to the program. Leading the charge are Nassau Finalists Nicholas Matteo (3rd grade), Dillon Hanel (7th grade) and Sean Richards (7th grade). Richards posted an 18-2 mark last season to lead the Wildcats. Other returning place winners include: Max Mosca (4th grade), Nick Loiacono (8th grade), Michael Loiacono (4th grade), Charlie Forero (7th grade) and Shawn Mosca (4th grade). The Wildcats lose 3rd place finisher, Matt DeBenedittis (9th grade), as he will be wrestling for the Wheatley High School varsity team this season.
Directing the club is Wheatley High School coach, Ken Richards (Hofstra University). Richards is assisted by former Mineola standouts Joe Cerulli and Joe Selby, along with Andrew Mosca (Wheatley), Mark Burkey and Mike Manfredi (New Hyde Park) and Pete Ganley (Carle Place).
For registration info on
Wildcat Wrestling, contact Ken Richards at 516.355.0767 or email
ken@NassauWildcats.com. To become a Wildcat sponsor or booster, please email Booster Chair, Ann Mageau, at
annie328@optonline.net.
