CROSS RIVER, N.Y. – On Saturday, Feb. 7, John Jay grapplers traveled to the Westchester County Center for the Section One Wrestling Tournament. After two grueling days of competition, only two Wolves remained standing by Sunday’s conclusion.
David Corrales placed fifth, while John Aniello finished sixth.
Aniello was forced to settle for sixth place after an injury prevented him from taking the mat for his consolation final. Still, the sophomore had plenty to be proud of after an impressive first day.
“I wrestled the third seed,” said Aniello. “He was supposed to be one of the toughest kids, and I beat him.”
Locked in a 0-0 bout at the start of the third period, Aniello refused to remain in neutral.
“I cut him, he got an ankle pick on me, and he almost took me down,” he said. “I was able to scoot out and then got the takedown.”
The 126-pounder’s grit propelled him into the semifinals, but day two proved more challenging.
After falling in the semis, Aniello reflected on the shift in momentum. “I’m not sure what mental aspect changed from yesterday to today,” he admitted.
Disappointed he couldn’t outperform his sixth-seed placement, Aniello remained focused on the future.
“I can’t dwell on it,” he said. “I just have to keep working consistently in the offseason and get to my club.”
Corrales echoed that same determination.
“I have to work hard in the offseason,” said the 118-pounder.
Hoping for a second straight trip to the state tournament, Corrales saw his championship run end in the quarterfinals. Looking back, he believed the difference came down to consistency.
“I really turned it up in the third period,” he said. “If I wrestled like that the entire match, I could have won.”
Refusing to let the setback define his weekend, Corrales battled through wrestlebacks with renewed focus.
“It takes determination,” he said. “You can’t lose hope.”
Two victories followed, including one against a familiar opponent.
“I was really proud of that match, because he beat me earlier in the season by a major decision,” Corrales said.
Even in fifth place, Corrales carried himself with optimism — and with the offseason ahead, a return to last year’s success already feels within reach.
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