Freeport wrestlers thrive in qualifier

Prior to the 2023-24 season, fourth-year Freeport wrestling head coach Matt Cellan set out a lofty goal to qualify around 20 for the individual county championships. 

The Red Devils did not quite meet that high metric, but exceeded last year’s total with 14 earning spots to compete on the big stage at Hofstra’s Mack Sports Complex this weekend and the potential for two more receiving wildcards. Freeport’s success on the mats at qualifiers last Saturday held at Mineola High School included three first place showings in  eighth-grader Christian Mccravey (101 pounds), sophomore Kerry Ellis (131) and senior Christian Greene (190).

“It was a mixed bag as we had a couple of outstanding performances and  a couple of people that left a little bit out there,” Cellan said. “We wanted 20 and that is a lofty goal that we have only done maybe once as a program, but we got 14 in and had seven finalists so overall it was a really good tournament.” 

Greene proved to be the most dominant wrestler in the tournament with three first period pins including two in under 30 seconds. The senior pinned Hewlett’s Peter Santosin just 17 seconds in the battle for first place and enters the county championships with a strong chance to reach the top of the podium. 

McCravey, who moved down a weight after competing at 108 for much of the season, has shined this season after making history last season as the first Freeport seventh grader to qualify for counties. He dominated Hewlett’s Andrew Spencer in the championship finals, 17-1, and Cellan said he has potential to place among the top three in the county.

Kerry Ellis captured first place in the 131 weight class with a pin of Mineola’s Isaiah Rivera 1:35 into the match. Ellis, who entered qualifiers as the third seed, recorded three first period wins in the tournament, and has made solid gains throughout the winter.

“He gets better every week,” said Cellan of Ellis. “Every week he is really focused on his training and he is listening to his coaches.”

Four Freeport wrestlers recorded runner-up finishers at qualifiers including Jahari Lloyd (116),  Carlos Aguilar (170), Jordan Addison (215) and Edwin Aracena (285). Ararcena nearly took first place in the heavyweight division falling 3-2 in overtime to Samuel Ilizarov of Roslyn,.  

Adison and senior Juan Ramos both compete in a deep 215 pound  division, but have a solid chance to win a county title. Ramos, who earned All-County honors as a junior, placed third in qualifiers with a pin of Hewlett’s Michael Mirvis in 41 seconds.

Also placing third in qualifiers for the Red Devils were Noah Rowe (135) and Ivo Gonzalez (160). Freeport wrestlers who qualified with four place showings were Joshua Cabrera (108), Kelvin Abreu (145) and John Sarald (285). 

Yosiah De la Rosa (190 and Dylan Torres (108) both placed fifth in qualifiers. They may still earn a spot in the county championships as wildcards, which will be determined in the middle of the week.

“We have a really good group of kids,” Cellan said. “It's enjoyable to be around kids that work hard and do the right thing.”