With the return of last year’s team runner-up, Springfield Central from Massachusetts and Pennsylvania prep powerhouse, Wyoming Seminary, combined with over a dozen nationally ranked wrestlers, the 13th Eastern States Classic looks to be one of the best in it’s decorated history.

Featuring over 615 wrestlers from six different states, the Classic is still holding true to its reputation as the toughest tournament in New York State.

Nick Piccininni, who is the No. 2-ranked wrestler in the country at 126-pounds, comes into the tournament looking to be the third three-time champion. The only two wrestlers that were able to complete this feat were Harvard’s All-American Steven Keith and Terry Tate from Tyrone, PA.

There is a potential top ten encounter in the making between Hilton’s #3-Yianni Diakomihalis and Wyoming Sem’s #7-Jack Mueller. The last time these two met Diakomihalis won by a 4-0 decision at the Journeymen Classic.

A rematch is also brewing between #7-Youssif Hemida and Walt Whitman’s Vin Feola, which will look to settle the controversy from last week's Shoreline Tournament final in New Rochelle, NY. Hemida took that victory in overtime, 4-3.

First, here are the weight class capsules with contenders, credentials, notes, and predictions.


99:

2014 Final: Kelan McKenna, New Hartford, dec. Adam Busiello, Eastport South Manor, 3-0

10th-ranked Junior High wrestler, Adam Busiello from Eastport South Manor is the lone returning place winner at this weight class. As would be expected, he is favored to do well in this bracket. Making his first appearance at the Classic is Wyoming Seminary’s Beau Bartlett. Bartlett is the 5th-ranked Junior High wrestler in the nation and a 2014 Tulsa Nationals champ. Bartlett and Busiello are familiar with each other as they wrestled in the Journeymen Wrestling High School All-Star Exhibition where Bartlett pinned Busiello. Bartlett also defeated Busiello in last year's final.

Also making his first appearance at the Classic is freshman AJ Burkhart from Waverly who is looking to make his presence known after a second place finish at the Section 4 D2 meet last season.

The Seeds:
1) Beau Bartlett, Wyoming Seminary
2) Adam Busiello, Eastport South Manor
3) Benny Baker, Newark Valley
4) AJ Burkhart, Waverly
5) Drew Schafer, Pal Mac
6) Jacob Camacho, Danbury
7) Jarred Greiner, Minisink Valley

Prediction: Beau Bartlett, Wyoming Seminary, dec. Adam Busiello, ESM, 7-5.


106:

2014 Final: Parker Kropman, Penfield, dec. Matteo DeVincenzo, Port Jefferson, 3-2.

In one of the tougher weights at this year’s tournament, we will see three nationally ranked wrestlers. #6-Tommy Cox, a Super 32 runner-up from Deerfield, looks to improve off an 8th place finish from last year at 99-pounds. #9-Jacori Teemer, a New York state champ from Long Beach, and New Hartford’s #10-Kelan McKenna, a Fargo Freestyle All-American, add to the strength of this weight.

Moving up from 99 last year where he placed third is Hauppauge’s Jake Silverstein. Silverstein is a Middle School division Flonationals champ, but has taken losses to both Teemer and Cox.

The Seeds:
1) Jacori Temmer, Long Beach
2) Kelan McKenna, New Hartford
3) Anthony Sparacio, North Babylon
4) Jake Silverstein, Hauppaugue
5) Tommy Cox, Deerfield
6) Zach Murillo, Southington
7) Jon Loew, Wantagh
8) Dylan Walker, Warsaw


Prediction: Tommy Cox, Deerfield, dec. Kelan McKenna, New Hartford, UTB 3-2.


113:

2014 Final: Vito Arujau, Syosset, dec. Kyle Quinn, Wantagh, 7-4.

Matteo DeVincenzo from Port Jefferson and Wanagh’s Kyle Quinn are a pair of returning Eastern State second place finishers here. DeVincenzo was a runner-up at 106-pounds while Quinn finished second at 113 a year ago. Other Eastern State returning place finishers are Dean Raymond of Deposit-Hancock who took 7th at 99-pounds last year, and John Jay-East Fishkill’s Jay Albis is returning after taking 8th.

Alexander High School’s Dane Heberlein will be making his first Classic appearance this season. Heberlein is a defending state champion and third place finisher at this year’s Super 32 and will looks to make his way onto the podium.

The Seeds:
1) Kyle Quinn, Wantagh
2) Dane Heberlein, Alexander
3) Matteo DeVincenzo, Port Jefferson
4) Jay Albis, John Jay-EF
5) Tito Colom, St. Francis
6) Theo Powers, Mexico
7) Dean Raymond, Deposit Hancock
8) Anthony Argentieri, Kenmore West

Prediction: Dane Heberlein, Alexander, dec. Kyle Quinn, Wantagh, 5-2.


120:

2014 Final: Nick Piccininni, Ward Melville, tf. Nick Casella, Locust Valley, 15-0.

This year’s Classic will feature two of the best 120-pound competitors in the nation in #3-Yianni Diakomihalis from Hilton and #7-Jack Mueller. Diakomihalis won a Super 32 title this fall and also has a win over Mueller from the Journeymen Classic in 2014. Mueller is a Prep National Champion and a 2x Fargo Champion who is surely looking to return the favor and hand Diakomihalis a loss.

Returning place finishers also include Minisink Valley’s Gerard Daly and Monroe Woodbury’s Vinny Vespa. Lyndonville’s Tony Recco has a state title and a third place finish and can definitely wrestle with the best at this weight. Peter Pappas from Plainview was a state finalist in 2014. Ben Tepperman from Hauppauge finished 3rd at 106 pounds in 2014.

Another wrestler who can compete with anyone is Jimmy Overhiser. Overhiser was a state placer two years ago before transferring to Wyoming Seminary where he was a Prep All-American. Since then he has returned to New York and now competes for Lansing High School.

The Seeds:
1) Yianni Diakomihalis, Hilton
2) Jack Mueller, Wyoming Seminary
3) Hunter Dusold, Locust Valley
4) Peter Pappas, Plainview
5) Vinny Vespa, Monroe Woodbury
6) Jimmy Overheiser, Lensing
7) Tony Recco, Lydonville
8) Gerard Daly, Minisink Valley

Prediction: Yianni Diakomihalis, Hilton, dec. Jack Mueller, Wyoming Seminary, 3-1.


126:

2014 Final: Travis Passaro, Eastport South Manor, dec. Michael Knoblach, Clovis West, 9-5.

Bumping up a weight from last year where he took home a title is #2-Nick Piccininni from Ward Melville who is favored to repeat again this year. A three-time state champ and two-time Super 32 placer, the Oklahoma State bound Picininni will have a challenge in Amherst’s #18-Kellen Devlin who lost a tight 1-0 match to Picininni at the 2014 Journeymen Classic.

Piccininni is not the only returning champion in this weight class. Parker Kropman from Penfield won the 106-pound weight class in 2014. Wyoming Seminary’s Trent Olson was a 2014 Prep National finalist and can place in the top eight.

The Seeds:
1) Nick Piccininni, Ward Melville
2) Kellen Devlin, Amherst
3) Trent Olson, Wyoming Seminary
4) Parker Kropman, Penfield
5) Mitchell Woodworth, Fulton
6) Paulo Freitas, Danbury
7) Nick Gaiser, Alexander
8) Tommy Lancie, Schroeder

Prediction: Nick Piccininni, Ward Melville, dec. Kellen Devlin, Amherst, 5-1.


132:

2014 Final: William Koll, Lansing, dec. Chris Mauriello, Hauppauge, 7-5.

Defending champion #7-Vito Arujau from Syosset has a good chance of winning another title. Fellow Section 8 standout Nick Casella of Locust Valley could be the biggest competition for Vito. Casella is a three-time state placer and two-time finalist. He finished second at last years Classic behind Piccininni at 120.

Wyoming Seminary’s Johnny Busiello has been having a good season so far with a runner-up finish at the Excalibur Tournament along with capturing a Hurricane Classic title. He is also a Classic placewinner, as well. Newburgh Free Academy Da’Mani Burns finished 5th at last years state tournament and has potential to knock off some the nation's best.

The Seeds:
1) Vito Arujau, Syosset
2) Johnny Busiello, Wyoming Seminary
3) Nick Casella, Locust Valley
4) James Szymanski, Shoreham
5) Da'mani Burns, NFA
6) Cody McGregor, Tonawanda
7) Tristin DeVincenzo, Port Jefferson
8) Isaiah Colgan, Johnson City

Prediction: Vito Arujau, Syosset, p. Nick Casella, Locust Valley


138:

2014 Final: Brandon Lapi, Amsterdam, dec. Sam Ward, Locust Valley, 4-2.

#10-Mike D’Angelo from Commack is returning from a 7th place finish at 126. He is a two-time state place finisher who will be challenged by Penfield’s freshman Frankie Gissendanner, a returing fourth place finisher at 132 pounds. Gissendanner also placed 4th at the state tournament as an eighth grader.

Wyoming Seminary’s Patrick Munn was a Texas state champion last season and is entering his first Eastern States Classic this weekend. Returning 5th place finisher, Richie Burke from Ithaca High School, can challenge anyone at this weight. He aslo is a two-time state place finisher.

NYS third place finsiher Brad Wade is also entered as this weight and can win a lot of matches here.

The Seeds:
1) Mike D'Angelo, Commack
2) Brade Wade, Islip
3) Frankie Gissendaner, Penfield
4) Hunter Richard, Holand Patent
5) Richie Burke, Ithaca
6) Chris Truglio, Minisink Valley
7) Andrew Howard, Moses Brown
8) Owen Bachelder, Hewlett

Prediction: Mike D’Angelo, Commack, dec. Brad Wade, Islip, UTB 3-2.


145:

2014 Final: Jake Restrepo, Sachem East, dec. Thomas Dutton, Rocky Point, 7-6.

Coming off a runner-up finish at last year's tournament is Rocky Point’s #13-Thomas Dutton, a two-time state placewinner, who is looking to win the title this year. Tristan Riffanburg, a five-time state place finisher and a two-time champion, can pose a big challenge for Dutton.

Returning 138-pound NYS place finisher at Mike Raccioppi from Minisink Valley and Wyoming Seminary’s Will Verallis add depth at this weight. 

The Seeds:
1) Tristan Rifanburg, Norwich
2) Thomas Dutton, Rocky Point
3) Will Veralis, Wyoming Seminary
4) Austin Whitney, Mexico
5) Corey Farrell, Warsaw
6) Jake Einbinder, Bethpage
7) Mike Raccioppi, Minisink Valley
8) Zach Arnold, New Milford

Prediction: Thomas Dutton, Rocky Point, dec. Tristan Rifanburg, Norwich, 5-1


152:

2014 Final: Richard Viruet, Springfield Central, dec. Blaise Benderoth, North Rockland, 3-0.

#19-Jake Restrepo comes back to the Classic looking to bring home his second title. As a state finalist last season, Restrepo will have a tough road on his trip to repeat. Also at this weight is Shenendehowa’s Jesse Porter who has a win over Restrepo this past fall. Porter finished 6th at this weight in 2014.

Norwich’s Frank Garcia finished 5th at the Classic last season and is a three-time state placer who captured his first title a season ago. He also notched a win over Porter and will look to repeat history on his way to a title at this year's tournament.

The Seeds:
1) Frank Garcia, Norwich
2) Jake Restrepo, Sachem East
3) Jesse Porter, Shenendehowa
4) Brett Leonard, New Milford
5) Mike Dusold, Locust Valley
6) Thomas Wightman, Warwick Valley
7) Jake Hendricks, Wyoming Seminary
8) Matt Porrello, John Glenn

Prediction: Jake Restrepo, Sachem East, dec. Frank Garcia, Norwich, 3-1


160:

2014 Final: Jonathan Viruet, Springfield Central, dec. Dan DeCarlo, Port Jervis, 3-2.

Wyoming Seminary’s #6-Chris Weiler is making his first trip to Eastern States and has a good chance to take home the title in his debut. Defending state champion and 132-pound Eastern State runner-up, Chris Mauriello will challenge Weiler.

Returning champion Jonathan Viruet has already taken a loss to Weiler at the Excalibur tournament so will most-likely be seeking some revenge. North Rockland’s Blaise Benderoth was a 2nd place finisher at 152 in 2014 and also has taken an overtime loss to Weiler at the Journeymen Classic.

The Seeds:
1) Chris Weiler, Wyoming Seminary
2) Jon Viruet, Springfield Central
3) Blaise Benderoth, North Rockland
4) Chris Mauriello, Hauppauge
5) Alex Heringshaw, Holand Patent
6) Connor Lawrence, Duanesburg
7) Louie Deprez, Hilton
8) Joe Lupisella, Schroder

Prediction: Chris Weiler, Wyoming Seminary, dec. Jonathan Viruet, Springfield Central, 5-3.


170:

2014 Final: Burke Paddock, Warsaw, dec. Adis Rodoncic, Poly Prep, 5-3.

Coming from Danbury (CT), Johnny Garcia placed 5th at this weight in 2014. He is a two-time state placer and state champion. Warsaw’s Aaron Paddock looks to follow in both his brothers’ footsteps and get onto the podium in 2015.

Wyoming Seminary’s Greg Kleinsmith has potential to capture a championship here. He took home an Excalibur title already this season and has looked strong.

The Seeds:
1) Johnny Garcia, Danbury
2) Greg Kleinsmith, Wyoming Seminary
3) Jordan Bushey, Peru
4) Quinn Zsido, Cornwall
5) Kevin Parker, Shenendehowa
6) Joke Woolson, Mexico
7) Nevin O'Brien, First Colonial
8) Nate Schwab, Clarence

Prediction: Johnny Garcia, Danbury, dec. Greg Kleinsmith, Wyoming Seminary, 5-2.


182:

2014 Final: Christian Dietrich, Greene, dec. Daniel Smith, South Jefferson, 3-0.

Coming back to defend his title is #10-Christian Dietrich. This time though, he will be wearing the colors of Wyoming Seminary. He has looked dominant thus far with an Excalibur title now on his resume. He also is a New York state champion and a Flonationals runner-up.

Geno Brancati of Hudson Falls was 8th here last year and is looking to improve on that finish. State placewinner Jake Ashcraft from Burnt Hills can also find his way onto the podium this season.

The Seeds:
1) Chris Dietrich, Wyoming Seminary
2) David Hamil, Deer Park
3) Jake Ashcraft, Burnt Hills
4) Geno Brancati, Hudson Falls
5) Phil Wilshier, Attica
6) Tom Lane, Garden City
7) Richie Jones, St, Joseph;s Collegiate
8) Nick Koury, Springfield Central

Prediction: Christian Dietrich, Wyoming Seminary dec, Jake Ashcraft, Burnt Hills, 8-2


195:

2014 Final: Levi Ashley, Shenendehowa, dec. Reggie Williams, Johnson City, 9-4.

Leading the charge at this weight is defending state champion Nate Rose from Eagle Academy. Rose also placed 5th at 195 in 2014. Ward Mellville’s Christian Araneo was 7th at 182 pounds in 2014 and can be a contender for the title this year. Monroe Woodbury’s Nick McShea has also looked tough this season and can challenge anyone at this weight.

The Seeds:
1) Nate Rose, Eagle Academy
2) Christian Araneo, Ward Melville
3) Nick McShea, Monroe Woodbury
4) Jared Escribano, Spingield Central
5) Zane Black, Wyoming Seminary
6) Chris Goudy, Queensbury
7) Peter Pjetri, Suffern
8) Jack Buell, Sherburne Earlville

Prediction: Nate Rose, Eagle Academy, dec. Christian Araneo, Ward Mellville, 7-4


220:

2014 Final: Richard Siste, MSGR Farrell, p. John Hartnett, Tappan Zee, 1:53.

Recent Maryland commit #7-Youssif Hemida and recent NDSU commit Vin Feola look for a rematch at the Classic after a controversial match at the Shoreline Tournament two weeks ago where Hemida won in OT. Hemidam is a Fargo All-American and Super 32 runner-up and Feola is a 5th place finisher from last year's Eastern State tournament and was a 2014 State runner-up.

Adding depth at this weight are Springfield Central’s Ryan Pinkham and Sherburne Earlville state placewinner, Garrett Duvall.

The Seeds:
1) Youssif Hemida, Mamroneck
2) Vin Feola, Walt Whitman
3) Harrison Nye, Wyoming Seminary
4) Will Hillard, Phoenix
5) Miguel Perez, Eagel Academy
6) MIke Newman, MSGR Farrel
7) Ryan Pinkham, Springfield Central
8) Brock Cvijanovich, Horace Greeley

Prediction: Youssif Hemida, Mamaroneck. dec. Vin Feola, Walt Whitman, 6-4.


285:

2014 Final: Connor Calkins, Alfred Almond, tf. Karmon Anderson, Springfield Centeral, 16-1.

Wyoming Seminary’s #13-Mike Rogers is favored to take home the title as he make his first Eastern States tournament appearance. After winning the Excalibur tournament and the Prep Slam last week, he has been looking dominant so far this season.

Some of New York's best heavyweights Edwin Rubio of John Glenn’s and Massena’s Terrance Nolan can challenge Rogers at this weight.

The Seeds:
1) Mike Rogers, Wyoming Seminary
2) Edwin Rubio, John Glenn
3) Nolan Terrance, Massena
4) Isaac Serrano, NFA
5) Ryan Delahanty, Mahopac
6) Sean Dee, Sachem East
7) Nikola Cejic, Johnson City
8) Peter Strassfield, Southhampton

Prediction: Mike Rogers, Wyoming Seminary md. Edwin Rubio, John Glenn, 10-2.


Former Eastern States Champions who became D1 NCAA All-Americans:

Lou Ruggirello (2005)
JP O’Connor (2005)
Gregor Gillespie (2005)
JP O’Connor (2006)
Josh Patterson (2006)
Steven Keith (2007, 2008, 2009)
Brian Realbuto (2011)
Nick Gwiazdowski (2011)