YOUTH WRESTLING
The John Jay Youth Wrestling Program was established in 1996 with mats that were borrowed from Hendrick Hudson, practices were held in a small room at the Lewisboro Recreation Department with 15 kids. Now, in it’s 30th year, with enrollment topping 80 kids at times, it is one of, if not, the biggest youth wrestling program in Westchester County.
Although the participation has grown dramatically in 30 years, the philosophy has remained the same. We want to expose the wonderful sport of wrestling to our community’s youth; Kindergarten through 6th grade in a fun and safe way. As the young wrestlers get into middle and high school, the sport is very demanding, both physically and mentally. We have purposely kept the youth program low-key, with little competition so the kids can foster a love for the sport that so many before them have enjoyed and benefited from.
This fundamental program forms a foundation that promotes their continued enjoyment of the sport in middle school and hopefully high school. The kids learn the basics of wrestling: Take downs, reversals, escapes, breakdowns and pinning combinations through drills and live wrestling. As an additional benefit, they will increase their flexibility, strength and conditioning and will probably go to bed on time without any hesitation on the days of practice.
The program has two options: travel for 3-6 graders competing in dual meets and tournaments with local competition. The clinic is for K-2nd graders and usually runs 25 sessions, 2 times a week for 12 weeks starting in December. Registration forms are distributed to the elementary schools by Lewisboro Parks and Recreation Department and mailed to the 6th graders. Bill and John Swertfager, our Youth Directors, run this high energy program with help from Varsity Coach Mark Swertfager, Will Carter, Chris Cook and Scott Genovese, and members of the Varsity wrestling team, teach the sessions.
| NAME | GRADE |
|---|---|
| Amitrano, Peyton | 1 |
| Cerone, Bryson | 2 |
| Collins, Cole | 2 |
| Golden, August | 2 |
| Haughwout, Wyatt | 2 |
| Hendrick, James | 2 |
| Hendrick, Thomas | 1 |
| Longacre, Charles | 2 |
| Portale, Hudson | 2 |
| Portale, Sebastian | 1 |
| Spiros, Brody | 1 |
| Sullivan, Bryan | 1 |
| Sullivan, Thomas | 2 |
| Zylber, Everett | 2 |
| Dacey, Jaxon | 5 |
| DelRosso, Hunter | 5 |
| DePaula, Jacob | 6 |
| Ferrandi, Sebastian | 6 |
| Frumberg, Ethan | 5 |
| Handler, Hunter | 4 |
| Harding, Campbell | 5 |
| Haughwout, Dexter | 5 |
| Hawkins, Harry | 5 |
| Jones, Caiden | 5 |
| Katz, Davis | 5 |
| Martin, Forge | 6 |
| McKay, Felix | 5 |
| Mirizio, Alexander | 5 |
| Mirizio, Nicholas | 3 |
| Murray, Walter | 4 |
| Petraro, John | 4 |
| Salerno, Luke | 4 |
| Schuhow, C.J. | 4 |
| Spitzer, Arik | 3 |
| Suppa, Benjamin | 3 |
| Sutherland, John | 4 |
| Sutherland, Robert | 4 |
| Valentino, Nathaniel | 5 |
| Valentino, Will | 3 |
| Wetzel, Warren | 4 |