Toledo, Reiss shine as Tappan Zee repeats as Rockland wrestling champs

ORANGEBURG - As far removed from the tragedy as the family is, and as far as Kevin Toledo has come in his high school career, there still is a lingering pain.

“We’ve worked to overcome it, but it always feels like there’s an empty space,” the Tappan Zee wrestler said of his father, Hector, dying when he was 3 years old. “Growing up without him made me realize that you can’t take anything for granted. Not everyone gets the same opportunities, and you’ve got to make the most of the ones you do get.”

Toledo wasn’t given much of a chance in this tournament, seeded seventh in his weight class, but he certainly made the most of his time on this platform.

The senior pulled a series of upsets and eventually won the 126-pound bracket, helping lead host Tappan Zee to a second consecutive team title in the Chuck Scarpulla Rockland County wrestling championships.

Understanding the hardships that Toledo has endured, coach Carmine Sgueglia said, his accomplishments are significant there is a “great appreciation” within the team.

“This has a big place in my heart,” said Toledo, who began wrestling as a sophomore. “My team has put a lot of effort into me, supported me, and I’m glad I was able to help us accomplish this.”

He won his final with a four-minute, 15-second pin of North Rockland’s Daniel Quiles and was one of five Dutchmen to win an individual title as the team dominated the tournament. Tappan Zee totaled 287.5 points, finishing comfortably ahead of Pearl River (166.5) and Clarkstown South (162.5).

Tappan Zee has made fast progress, winning its first two county crowns in succession. It was only five years ago, Sgueglia said, that they competed with only nine athletes on the roster.

“We were forfeiting weight classes all over the place,” he said with a smile. “But we created the foundation for what we have now. The seniors set an example, and the kids created a competitive atmosphere where they’re not afraid to lose.”

And they’ve done a lot of winning. Teammates Justin Reiss (144 pounds), Marco Portillo (103), Binak Bruncaj (285) and Jake Reiss also won individual titles. Jake Reiss, a senior, won his first career tournament.

“I’m more confident and my mindset was better than it was the past couple years,” said Reiss, who won the 157-pound bracket. “I’ve put in some much work, trying to get better, and now I’ve got this to show for it.”

Lin is the real deal

Liam Lin once was a big WWE fan, idolizing John Cena as a small child. But, after learning in the fifth grade that professional wrestling was scripted, he shifted his attention to “the real thing.”

Now, it seems, not many opponents can see him on the mat.

The North Rockland junior defeated Nanuet’s Jack Gallagher, 13-6, in the 118-pound final to earn his third Rockland County championship.

Lin has worked this season to develop an arm drag combination, leading into a slide-by to eventually capture the opponent’s leg. He executed it for an early takedown of Gallagher, a 2025 Section 1 Division II champion.

“My dream is to become a state championship and wrestle in college,” Lin said, “so winning a tournament like this again lets me know that it’s possible to accomplish my goals.”

Bierfeldt makes it look easy

Nyack star Devin Bierfeldt further solidified his position among the Section 1 elite, making quick work of his opponents to win the 190-pound championship.

The junior scored a technical fall over Nanuet’s Jesse Rizzo in the semifinals, then pinned Luke Gilroy of Clarkstown South in 3:53 to complete what he considered a redemption mission.

“Coming off a runner-up placement last year, there was unfinished business here,” said Bierfeldt, who has worked extensively with his coaches at Nyack and GPS Wrestling Club in Armonk to improve on finishing attacks. “I’m so happy I was able to get it done, especially in that fashion.”

This accomplishment, he said, would be celebrated with a BBQ chicken platter. Watching his weight, he joked, “will be a Monday concern.”

Bierfeldt was among only a handful of Rockland County wrestlers who placed in the Eastern States Classic earlier this month and he will be among the top contenders for a section title.

“I want it all,” said Bierfeldt, who improved to 31-2 this season. “I’m not going sectionals to finish second or third; I want that gold medal and a trip to states.”

Emily Rodriguez was in attendance Saturday, filming matches and enthusiastically cheering on Nyack teammates, despite being on crutches after suffering a season-ending knee injury a week after winning an Eastern States championship. That, Bierfeldt said, is an example of the senior’s “great leadership.”

‘Nothing is more important to me’

Seated in the bleachers toward the far corner of the Tappan Zee gymnasium was Jack Granata. The 75-year-old uses a portable oxygen concentrator, an electronic device that assists his breathing, but he was among the liveliest audience members.

There are few things he is more passionate about than wrestling, and his family is one. He was accompanied by his sons, Jack and Chris, rooting hard for Clarkstown North and his grandson.

Jack Granata reached the semifinals, but the senior placed fifth at 144 pounds. But that did little to dampen their mood. The grandfather is a former youth wrestling coach and his son, Jack, was an All-American wrestler at Hunter College in the 1990s. His son now is among the better wrestlers in the area.

“I have COPD and pulmonary hypertension,” the eldest Jack Granata said, “but the most important thing I have is my sons and grandkids. Nothing is more important to me than being here to support them.”

The finals, match by match

103: Marco Portillo (Tappan Zee) dec. Vinny Marino (Tappan Zee), 10-6

110: Braelyn Farrison (Suffern) pinned Noah Direnzo (Tappan Zee), 0:57

118: Liam Lin (North Rockland) dec. Jack Gallagher (Nanuet), 13-6

126: Kevin Toledo (Tappan Zee) pinned Daniel Quiles (North Rockland), 4:15

132: Brendan O'Sullivan (Pearl River) major decision Alex Perez (Clarkstown North), 16-7

138: Ryan Lobozzo (Suffern) pinned Nate Bricker (Clarkstown South), 1:14

144: Justin Reiss (Tappan Zee) tech fall Vincent Jacobson (Tappan Zee), 15-0

150: Ryan Ciardullo (Clarkstown North) tech fall Liam O'Sullivan (Pearl River), 19-3

157: Jake Reiss (Tappan Zee) decisioned Peter Orlando (Suffern), 11-4

165: Deaglan Lesnick (Pearl River) decisioned Felix Santana (North Rockland), 12-8

175: Will Roden (Clarkstown North) major decision Mason Ready (Clarkstown South), 17-3

190: Devin Bierfeldt (Nyack) pinned Luke Gilroy (Clarkstown South), 3:53

215: Carmine Squillante (North Rockland) pinned Maxwell Milton (Nanuet), 0:36

285: Binak Bruncaj (Tappan Zee) pinned Jeremiah Fils (North Rockland), 0:53

Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Lin wins again, Tappan Zee wrestlers excel at Rockland championships