MODIFIED WRESTLING
Our Modified Program, now in it’s 26th year, ranks in the top of Section I in participation with 25 wrestlers
dwarfing most of the other middle schools it competes against. The 2000-2001 modified team started the reintroduction of wrestling on the John Jay campus. Last year’s eighth graders now compete successfully on the
John Jay High School varsity team, the high school’s 24th year team after a 14 year hiatus. With well over 90
wrestlers involved at all three levels of the Program (youth, modified, high school) things look very bright for
the future.
John Jay’s modified wrestling team consists of 7th and 8th graders. All students are welcome to join the team
and program. There are no tryouts or cuts. We encourage large numbers, because unlike high school wrestling,
modified wrestling has no weight classes, and wrestlers are matched up according to their weight, age and
experience. Wins and losses are not counted, nor is a team score kept during matches. Modified wrestling
introduces youngsters to the sport of wrestling. The young student/athletes are taught the basics: rules,
techniques, sportsmanship, discipline and dedication, among many other character building skills. It is the goal
of the wrestling program and its coaches to provide every student/athlete with a positive experience. The entire
coaching staff at John Jay believes that the life skills learned through wrestling
and all interscholastic sports helps to develop a well-rounded adult.
The wrestling staff: Mark Swertfager, Will Carter, Chris Cook, Ryan Osleeb, along with Athletic Director Chris McCarthy and all wrestlers at John Jay thank you for your current support and look forward to your continued support of our program. We hope to see and speak with you at all of our meets!!
| FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | GRADE |
| Lucas | Alvarez | 7 |
| Ryan | Bogren | |
| Alexander | Cocco | |
| Lucas | Daugherty | |
| Charles | Degl | 8 |
| Jack | D’Elisa | |
| Michael | DeVeau | |
| Leo | Fernandez | |
| Willoughby | Goldstein | |
| Finnegan | Guarcello-O’Connor | 8 |
| Bradley | Guszack | 8 |
| Henry | Harding | |
| Hunter | Hughes | |
| Maximus | Kelly | |
| Aidan | Knoop | |
| Jameson | LaFond | |
| David | Laski | 7 |
| Callum | Lee | |
| Francis | Magdits | |
| Elio | Mendez Berganza | |
| Caelan | Nelsen | |
| Dylan | Ogren | 8 |
| August | Orlowski | 7 |
| Dylan | Paz | 8 |
| Jonah | Rappaport | 8 |
| Owen | Rizzuti | |
| Austin | Schassler | |
| Casey | Stanford | 8 |
| Emmett | Thomas | |
| Hugo | Whitton | 8 |
| Jack | Wund | 8 |
| Ryan | Yousef |
LUCAS DAUGHERTY
GRADE: 8
AGE: 14
WT: 104
HT: 5′ 1″
BIRTHDAY: 01/02/2012
# OF SIBLINGS: 2
HARDEST SUBJECT: Science
EASIEST SUBJECT: Social Studies
Favorites:
Food: Burrito
Dessert: Ice cream
Color: Blue
Movie: Batman
Song: Winning
Hobbies: Skiing
Thumbs Up To: Murder Ball
Thumbs Down To: Too little matches
2026 Wrestling Goals: Make JV + 500 record
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Make varsity + 800 record
Life’s Dream: Open my own golf ranch
College I’d Like To Attend: I don’t know, one with big parties
Why Do I Wrestle: Because it’s an independent sport
CHARLIE DEGL
GRADE: 8
AGE: 13
WT: 112
HT: 5′ 4″
BIRTHDAY: 09/06/2012
# OF SIBLINGS: 2
HARDEST SUBJECT: Math
EASIEST SUBJECT: ELA
Favorites:
Food: Pizza
Dessert: Ice cream
Color: Blue
Movie: Oceans 11
Song: Homecoming
Hobbies: Football & wrestling
Thumbs Up To: Steelers, chips, sports
Thumbs Down To: Math
2026 Wrestling Goals: Hopefully make varsity, if not, less than 3 losses
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Win JV sectionals
Life’s Dream: Have a loving family
College I’d Like To Attend: I’m not sure
Why Do I Wrestle: I love it
WILLOUGHBY GOLDSTEIN
GRADE: 8
AGE: 13
WT: 81
HT: 5′ 4″
BIRTHDAY: 09/13/2012
# OF SIBLINGS: 1
HARDEST SUBJECT: SMath
EASIEST SUBJECT: Social Studies
Favorites:
Food: Burrito
Dessert: Ice cream
Color: Blue
Movie: The Longest Yard
Song: Thinkin’ About You
Hobbies: Football
Thumbs Up To: Sports, clothes
Thumbs Down To: Boredom, weakness
2026 Wrestling Goals: Make JV, winning record, top 6 Sectionals
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Finish on varsity, undefeated 1 season
Life’s Dream: Make a lot of money and retire early
College I’d Like To Attend: Somewhere that I can get a good degree
Why Do I Wrestle: Be better at football, become stronger, be a beast
FINNEGAN GUARCELLO-O’CONNOR
GRADE: 8
AGE: 13
WT: 152
HT: 5′ 4″
BIRTHDAY: 12/14/2012
# OF SIBLINGS: 0
HARDEST SUBJECT: Science or Tech
EASIEST SUBJECT: Math
Favorites:
Food: Sushi
Dessert: Choc. Chip Cookies
Color: Maroon
Movie: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Song: Black Sheep
Hobbies: Soccer & Tennis
Thumbs Up To: Music & Football
Thumbs Down To: Cheese (I’m lactose intolerant)
2026 Wrestling Goals: Winning season on JV
HS Career Wrestling Goal: JV winning season w/ 6+ wins
Life’s Dream: To be successful in what I choose to do
College I’d Like To Attend: MIT, Yale, Stanford, Culinary Institute of America
Why Do I Wrestle: To help with other sports and to be w/ friends, to be AWESOME!!!
BRADLEY GUSZACK
GRADE: 8
AGE: 14
WT: 125
HT: 5′ 5″
BIRTHDAY: 01/11/2012
# OF SIBLINGS: 3
HARDEST SUBJECT: Math
EASIEST SUBJECT: Science
Favorites:
Food: Pizza
Dessert: Ice cream
Color: Blue
Movie: Back to the Future
Song: —
Hobbies: Sports
Thumbs Up To: The NY Mets
Thumbs Down To: The NY Yankees
2026 Wrestling Goals: To have a winning record
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Be undefeated
Life’s Dream: To be successful
College I’d Like To Attend: Texas
Why Do I Wrestle: To win
AIDAN KNOOP
GRADE: 8
AGE: 13
WT: 130
HT: 5’ 6”
BIRTHDAY: 05/11/2012
# OF SIBLINGS: 1
HARDEST SUBJECT: ELA
EASIEST SUBJECT: Social Studies
Favorites:
Food: Bacon King from BK
Dessert: Oreo McFlurry
Color: Maroon
Movie: Full Metal Jacket
Song: Electric Avenue
Hobbies: Model Planes
Thumbs Up To: Sleeping & eating
Thumbs Down To: School
2026 Wrestling Goals: Make JV and have a winning record
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Make varsity and get good
Life’s Dream: NYC firefighter preferably in the 15
College I’d Like To Attend: Virginia Tech
Why Do I Wrestle: Because I want to be strong
DYLAN OGREN
GRADE: 8
AGE: 13
WT: 130
HT: 5’ 0”
BIRTHDAY: 03/09/2012
# OF SIBLINGS: 1
HARDEST SUBJECT: Algebra 1
EASIEST SUBJECT: Social Studies
Favorites:
Food: Pork Soup
Dessert: Ice cream
Color: Purple
Movie: Revenge of the Sith
Song: California Girls
Hobbies: Chess
Thumbs Up To: My parents and my sister
Thumbs Down To: Homework, mean people
2026 Wrestling Goals: Make JV, winning record
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Top 6 sectionals
Life’s Dream: NASA
College I’d Like To Attend: MIT
Why Do I Wrestle: Discipline
DYLAN PAZ
GRADE: 8
AGE: 14
WT: 142
HT: 5’ 4”
BIRTHDAY: 09/01/2011
# OF SIBLINGS: 1
HARDEST SUBJECT: Science
EASIEST SUBJECT: ELA, Math & Social Studies
Favorites:
Food: Chinese
Dessert: Ice cream
Color: Red
Movie: Django
Song: Walkin’
Hobbies: Skateboarding
Thumbs Up To: Wrestling & Music
Thumbs Down To: Homework & Science
2026 Wrestling Goals: JV 12 to 3, win my weight class
HS Career Wrestling Goal: JV 12 to 30, top 4 Sectionals
Life’s Dream: Make it to Berklee
College I’d Like To Attend: Make it to Berklee
Why Do I Wrestle: Get stronger, more tough, stay healthy
JONAH RAPPAPORT
GRADE: 8
AGE: 13
WT: 108
HT: 5’ 3”
BIRTHDAY: 08/20/2012
# OF SIBLINGS: 1
HARDEST SUBJECT: Science
EASIEST SUBJECT: Gym
Favorites:
Food: Pizza
Dessert: Brownie
Color: Blue
Movie: Rocky 4
Song: Headlines
Hobbies: Sports & Video Games
Thumbs Up To: Music, family, friends, sports & summer
Thumbs Down To: Nothing!
2026 Wrestling Goals: getting better at shots, making JV
HS Career Wrestling Goal: win a lot of matches and make varsity
Life’s Dream: entrepreneur
College I’d Like To Attend: USC
Why Do I Wrestle: because it’s fun and i want to get stronger
CASEY STANFORD
GRADE: 8
AGE: 13
WT: 140
HT: 5’ 7”
BIRTHDAY: 09/16/2012
# OF SIBLINGS: 1
HARDEST SUBJECT: ELA
EASIEST SUBJECT: Algebra 1
Favorites:
Food: Steak
Dessert: Cannoli
Color: Black
Movie: Oceans 11
Song: It was a Good Day
Hobbies: Biking & Guitar
Thumbs Up To: —
Thumbs Down To: —
2026 Wrestling Goals: Off-season wrestling & lift
HS Career Wrestling Goal: JV – freshman, Varsity – sophomore-senior
Life’s Dream: Own a multi-billion-dollar business by 30
College I’d Like To Attend: —
Why Do I Wrestle: Toughest sport
HUGO WHITTON
GRADE: 8
AGE: 13
WT: 162
HT: 5’ 10”
BIRTHDAY: 03/23/2012
# OF SIBLINGS: 1
HARDEST SUBJECT: Math
EASIEST SUBJECT: Social Studies
Favorites:
Food: Steak
Dessert: Cannoli
Color: Red
Movie: Any Adam Sandler Movie
Song: Forever
Hobbies: Football
Thumbs Up To: Drake Maye
Thumbs Down To: —
2026 Wrestling Goals: Do good on JV wrestling
HS Career Wrestling Goal: —
Life’s Dream: Get rich
College I’d Like To Attend: Where I can play sports
Why Do I Wrestle: I like winning
JACK WUND
GRADE: 8
AGE: 13
WT: 102
HT: 5’ 0”
BIRTHDAY: 04/02/2012
# OF SIBLINGS: 3
HARDEST SUBJECT: Science
EASIEST SUBJECT: ELA
Favorites:
Food: Ribs
Dessert: Ice cream
Color: Blue
Movie: American Sniper
Song: Let it all work out
Hobbies: Surfing & Skiing
Thumbs Up To: My award
Thumbs Down To: How many matches I have played
2026 Wrestling Goals: JV Section Champ
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Make varsity by sophomore year
Life’s Dream: Have money
College I’d Like To Attend: Alabama because my dad went there
Why Do I Wrestle: Because my dad was varsity team captain in his freshman year and I loved wrestling my brother
LUCAS ALVAREZ
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 95
HT: 5’ 1”
BIRTHDAY: 10/02/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 2
HARDEST SUBJECT: ELA
EASIEST SUBJECT: Math
Favorites:
Food: Bacon, Egg & Cheese
Dessert: Tiramisu
Color: Black
Movie: The Outsiders
Song: Africa
Hobbies: Lacrosse
Thumbs Up To: Jack and Charlie Degl
Thumbs Down To: Losing
2026 Wrestling Goals: To go undefeated or not a lot of losses
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Go undefeated
Life’s Dream: Play lacrosse
College I’d Like To Attend: Notre Dame or Georgetown
Why Do I Wrestle: To stay in shape and play with friends
RYAN BOGREN
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 70
HT: 4’ 10”
BIRTHDAY: 05/17/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 1
HARDEST SUBJECT: Math
EASIEST SUBJECT: Gym
Favorites:
Food: Ramen
Dessert: None
Color: None
Movie: None
Song: Popstar
Hobbies: Wrestling
Thumbs Up To: Mom, dad and brother
Thumbs Down To: IDK
2026 Wrestling Goals: Be the best lightweight
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Make varsity
Life’s Dream: Army
College I’d Like To Attend: Army
Why Do I Wrestle: It’s my favorite sport
JACK D’ELISA
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 100
HT: 5’ 2”
BIRTHDAY: 04/04/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 3
HARDEST SUBJECT: Science
EASIEST SUBJECT: ELA
Favorites:
Food: Chicken Parm
Dessert: Grandma’s Brownies
Color: None
Movie: The Outsiders
Song: Africa
Hobbies: Football & Lax
Thumbs Up To: Winning
Thumbs Down To: Losing
2026 Wrestling Goals: Undefeated
HS Career Wrestling Goal: To place in Sectionals
Life’s Dream: Do good and raise a healthy fam
College I’d Like To Attend: Ole Miss or IU
Why Do I Wrestle: It’s my favorite sport
MICHAEL DEVEAU
GRADE: 7
AGE: 13
WT: 97.5
HT: 5’ 3”
BIRTHDAY: 12/27/2012
# OF SIBLINGS: 2
HARDEST SUBJECT: ELA
EASIEST SUBJECT: Math
Favorites:
Food: Tacos
Dessert: Ice Cream
Color: Blue
Movie: Crooked Arrow
Song: Love Sasa
Hobbies: Playing Sports
Thumbs Up To: Murder ball and wrestling the guys
Thumbs Down To: Losing matches
2026 Wrestling Goals: Be the best
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Be number 1
Life’s Dream: Have money
College I’d Like To Attend: Any good sports school (lacrosse) & good academics
Why Do I Wrestle: Because it is fun and I like fighting people
LEO FERNANDEZ
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 96
HT: 5’ 3”
BIRTHDAY: 07/24/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 2
HARDEST SUBJECT: ELA
EASIEST SUBJECT: Social Studies
Favorites:
Food: Burrito
Dessert: Brownies
Color: Blue
Movie: Happy Gilmore
Song: You Know How We Do It
Hobbies: Sports & Video Games
Thumbs Up To: Wrestling
Thumbs Down To: Not Wrestling
2026 Wrestling Goals: Get better and bigger
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Be 60% or better
Life’s Dream: Get a good job or go pro
College I’d Like To Attend: Iowa or Maryland
Why Do I Wrestle: It’s fun, combative and tough
HENRY HARDING
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 89
HT: 5’ 0”
BIRTHDAY: 04/04/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 2
HARDEST SUBJECT: Accelerated Math
EASIEST SUBJECT: Social Studies
Favorites:
Food: Mashed Potatoes
Dessert: Guava Mousse
Color: Pink
Movie: Bob Marley: One Love
Song: Stole Ya Flow
Hobbies: Sports & Video Games
Thumbs Up To: Tournaments and murder ball
Thumbs Down To: Stance in motion
2026 Wrestling Goals: To have a winning record and win my weight class
HS Career Wrestling Goal: To have a winning varsity season
Life’s Dream: To get a window at Disney World
College I’d Like To Attend: UVA, Penn State
Why Do I Wrestle: For scholarship and for fun. Also to get stronger
HUNTER HUGHES
GRADE: 7
AGE: 13
WT: 96
HT: 5’ 1”
BIRTHDAY: 02/01/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 3
HARDEST SUBJECT: Social Studies
EASIEST SUBJECT: Science
Favorites:
Food: Buffalo Wings
Dessert: Lava Cake
Color: Blue
Movie: That’s My Boy
Song: Skrilla
Hobbies: Sports
Thumbs Up To: Live Wrestling
Thumbs Down To: Forward fall headaches
2026 Wrestling Goals: Stay fit and don’t fall behind
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Have a winning record
Life’s Dream: Stay jacked and live like Coach Carter
College I’d Like To Attend: Any Ivy school
Why Do I Wrestle: It is fun and I like to be physical
MAXIMUS KELLY
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 186
HT: 5’ 8”
BIRTHDAY: 06/02/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 0
HARDEST SUBJECT: Math
EASIEST SUBJECT: ELA
Favorites:
Food: Pizza
Dessert: Cake
Color: Red
Movie: 13 Hours
Song: Mongolia
Hobbies: Lacrosse & Football
Thumbs Up To: Anything
Thumbs Down To: Nothing
2026 Wrestling Goals: Make JV
HS Career Wrestling Goal: 18 and 0 season
Life’s Dream: Become rich
College I’d Like To Attend: Ohio state or Utah
Why Do I Wrestle: Because I do Jujitsu and I want to learn more
JAMESON LAFOND
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 112
HT: 4’ 11”
BIRTHDAY: 10/10/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 1
HARDEST SUBJECT: Math accelerated
EASIEST SUBJECT: Social Studies
Favorites:
Food: Brisket
Dessert: Brownies
Color: Blue
Movie: Interstellar
Song: What You Saying
Hobbies: Fishing & Sports
Thumbs Up To: Murder Ball
Thumbs Down To: Nothing, everything was great this season
2026 Wrestling Goals: To have a winning record
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Win Section 1 in my weight
Life’s Dream: Become a professional athlete or businessman
College I’d Like To Attend: Oklahoma State University
Why Do I Wrestle: For exercise and it’s really fun
DAVID LASKI
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 140
HT: 5’ 7”
BIRTHDAY: 02/28/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 1
HARDEST SUBJECT: Social Studies
EASIEST SUBJECT: Science
Favorites:
Food: Pierogi
Dessert: Grandma’s Polish Peanuts
Color: Red
Movie: None
Song: None
Hobbies: Sports & Video Games
Thumbs Up To: Coachews
Thumbs Down To: None
2026 Wrestling Goals: Make JV & have a winning record
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Make starting lineup
Life’s Dream: NFL
College I’d Like To Attend: Ole Miss, Ohio State, Alabama
Why Do I Wrestle: For self defense and working out
CALLUM LEE
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 95
HT: 5’ 2”
BIRTHDAY: 08/04/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 2
HARDEST SUBJECT: Math
EASIEST SUBJECT: Spanish/chorus
Favorites:
Food: Cheeseburger
Dessert: Dark Chocolate
Color: Yellow
Movie: Remember the Titans
Song: Ms. Jackson
Hobbies: Geography
Thumbs Up To: Coaches
Thumbs Down To: No One
2026 Wrestling Goals: Get Better
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Winning record every year besides freshman
Life’s Dream: Having a job including sports
College I’d Like To Attend: Notre Dame
Why Do I Wrestle: I love playing sports
FRANCIS MAGDITS
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 120
HT: 4’ 9”
BIRTHDAY: 09/04/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 4
HARDEST SUBJECT: Science
EASIEST SUBJECT: ELA
Favorites:
Food: Crab
Dessert: Lava Cake
Color: Blue
Movie: Stand by Me
Song: Poison
Hobbies: Fishing & Golf
Thumbs Up To: Hanging out with friends
Thumbs Down To: Conditioning
2026 Wrestling Goals: Put in more work
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Go undefeated
Life’s Dream: HVAC/House Repair
College I’d Like To Attend: Notre Dame
Why Do I Wrestle: I love wrestling and getting pushed to be better
ELIO MENDEZ BERGANZA
GRADE: 7
AGE:
WT:
HT:
BIRTHDAY:
# OF SIBLINGS:
HARDEST SUBJECT:
EASIEST SUBJECT:
Favorites:
Food:
Dessert:
Color:
Movie:
Song:
Hobbies:
Thumbs Up To:
Thumbs Down To:
2026 Wrestling Goals:
HS Career Wrestling Goal:
Life’s Dream:
College I’d Like To Attend:
Why Do I Wrestle:
AUGUST ORLOWSKI
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 125
HT: 5’ 9”
BIRTHDAY: 05/23/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 2
HARDEST SUBJECT: French/ELA
EASIEST SUBJECT: Math/Social Studies
Favorites:
Food: Seafood Boil
Dessert: Ice cream
Color: Blue
Movie: The Wolf of Wall Street
Song: Devil in a New Dress
Hobbies: Sports & Fishing
Thumbs Up To: Murder Ball & Modified tournament
Thumbs Down To: Nothing. It was great
2026 Wrestling Goals: Move up to JV have a winning record
HS Career Wrestling Goal: —
Life’s Dream: Olympic wrestler, sponsored by Red Bull for ski/bike
College I’d Like To Attend: Duke, Penn State
Why Do I Wrestle: To meet new people and to become fit
OWEN RIZZUTI
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 122
HT: 4’ 10”
BIRTHDAY: 06/07/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 2
HARDEST SUBJECT: Science
EASIEST SUBJECT: Math
Favorites:
Food: Chicken francize
Dessert: Tiramisu/Brownie
Color: Blueish green
Movie: Happy Gilmore
Song: Don’t Have One
Hobbies: Fishing & Bass
Thumbs Up To: Coaches, Family & school
Thumbs Down To: One of the Pleasantville kids
2026 Wrestling Goals: More wins than losses
HS Career Wrestling Goal: 65% more wins or less than 4 pins
Life’s Dream: Olympic wrestler, sponsored by Red Bull for ski/bike
College I’d Like To Attend: Duke, Penn State
Why Do I Wrestle: It’s fun and good for you
AUSTIN SCHASSLER
GRADE: 7
AGE: 12
WT: 92
HT: 4’ 10”
BIRTHDAY: 05/10/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 3
HARDEST SUBJECT: Technology
EASIEST SUBJECT: Social Studies
Favorites:
Food: Steak
Dessert: Ice cream
Color: Purple nurple
Movie: Goon
Song: Crazy Story
Hobbies: German pretzel cutting
Thumbs Up To: Wrestling
Thumbs Down To: Not Wrestling
2026 Wrestling Goals: To do less illegal moves
HS Career Wrestling Goal: Going undefeated
Life’s Dream: To make the NHL
College I’d Like To Attend: Princeton
Why Do I Wrestle: I want to slam kids with style
EMMETT THOMAS
GRADE: 7
AGE: 13
WT: 99
HT: —
BIRTHDAY: 02/25/2013
# OF SIBLINGS: 1
HARDEST SUBJECT: Science
EASIEST SUBJECT: Marg
Favorites:
Food: Pasta
Dessert: Ice cream
Color: Blue
Movie: Castaway
Song: Passionfruit
Hobbies: Snowboarding
Thumbs Up To: —
Thumbs Down To: —
2026 Wrestling Goals: Improve wins and stamina
HS Career Wrestling Goal: No more than 10 losses throughout all my years
Life’s Dream: Successful, happy adulthood
College I’d Like To Attend: Wherever my career takes me
Why Do I Wrestle: To stay in shape and bond with people