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The best part about history is that it always seems to repeat itself, especially in St. Anthony's case. 2 weeks ago the Friars would make their mark in Catholic State wrestling history... again. That weekend history could be defined in many different ways. First it could be Junior Chris Brienza, who dropped a very tough 6-3 first round match to eventual state champ Mike Soria of Kings Park (Section XI). Chris entered the tournament with one goal in mind, to be State Champion, to lose first round was devastating enough to make any  wrestler want to quit. Chris took some time and got himself refocused, he would need to be on his game to get through the grueling wrestle backs ahead of him. His first match he shook off the rust and after dominating the Nassau Champion 12-3, he seemed destined for third. After achieving All State status via a close 4-2 decision, Chris would win the next match, his 4th straight, to put him in the position to go for third. After falling behind 7-1 early in the match, he would battle back and drop a another close decision 9-8. Chris Brienza finished 4th, becoming only the 4th Friar to reach the 3rd place match at States, a feat that would be matched by his teammate. In 1987 Joe Smith finished 3rd and Joe Halloran finished 4th, in 2007 Stephen Russ finished in 3rd Place. Chris is one of few wrestlers in NY State history to lose his opening round match and battle his way through the wrestle backs and reach the third place match. Lets turn our attention to Sophomore Jimmy Morris to see more history that was made. Jimmy Morris, entered the state tournament having never suffered a loss at his weight class, 103 lbs. Jimmy lost many matches when "wrestling up" at 112 but he never suffered defeat at his weight class. Having only wrestled for 2 years, many outsiders doubted Jimmy and didn't give him much of a chance to compete at the state level. He would prove these people wrong throughout the entire tournament. Jimmy would win his first match in nail biting fashion, 4-2 and would face off against the top seed in the quarter finals. "Tough draw for Morris" the other coaches said, we laughed and displayed the confident smirk that is St. Anthony's wrestling. Jimmy would dominate the number one seed 9-2 and move into the semi finals. Being in the semis automatically earned  Jimmy Morris All State honors in only his second year wrestling. Jimmy would drop a decision in the semis to eventual State Champ Brain Realbuto from Section One. Sent to the wrestle backs, he would need to win his first match in order to have a chance to go for third. Jimmy would take a 1-0 lead into the third period with his opponent taking the down position. He would show tremendous heart as he rode out his opponent the entire 2 minutes, joining teammate and training partner Chris Brienza in the third place match, becoming the now 5th Friar to attain that feat. Jimmy would put an exclamation point on his season by shutting his opponent down and winning by the score of 5-0, taking home the bronze. His only loss at 103 lbs this season was to the NY State Champion, not bad for someone who has only been wrestling two years. Maybe we should start a second page in the history book for St. Anthony's Wrestling this year as we crowned our 2nd NEW YORK STATE CHAMPION. Sophomore Grant Greene put a few exclamation points on his season by winning his first state crown. Grant defeated the Suffolk County Runner up in the quarter finals 6-4, pushing himself into the semis and earning All State honors. Grant would have to face off against the herold defending State Champion Bobby Dierna (won the crown at 96 lbs last year). Teammate Chris Brienza sent a preview to Dierna earlier that  day when he defeated Dierna's little brother to guarantee his own All State Honors. Again many commented on the "tough draw" for us, we knew Dierna was tough. However there was no denying Grant his state title this year. 24 seconds into the match, Dierna was flattened by Grant. The defending state champ was pinned less than 30 seconds into the match. Grant's emotions poured out as his dream of being a State Champ was now 1 match away. The state finals saw a dominating first period by Grant as he opened up an 8-1 lead. He had his opponent pinned on more than 1 occasion, however Mr. Official must have not been watching the same match. Grant's opponent, Stephen Rodrigues of Section One, pulled himself back into the match after throwing Grant to his back late in the second period. Grant, who admittedly "lost focus," held on for the victory 11-7, and the State Crown. Grant Greene joins Lucas Magnani as St. Anthony's only 2 New York State Champions, and only the 4th from the Catholic State. Senior Captain Nick Auriemma went 1-2 in the State tournament, dropping a close decision to top seeded and eventual silver medalist JD Zitone from Section IX. Nick would lose his first wrestle back in the type of match that leaves a horrible taste in your mouth. The officiating was so horrendous that complete strangers would approach myself and Coach Walters to express sorrow that a young mans All State dreams could be ended because of poor officiating. The same official refereed Grant's finals match and coincidentally missed when he had his opponent pinned. Nick's hard work, determination and leadership will sorely be missed inside the wrestling room. We wish him and all Seniors the best of luck in the future. These 4 men proved that dreams can come true. They did not care what others thought of them, they proved themselves on the mat. Not only were Chris, Jimmy and Grant not ranked in the top 8 on Long Island all season long, they were not even one of 4 "Honorable Mention" wrestlers in the rankings. They were not even a "wrestler to watch" in the NY State Tournament preview. These same three individuals did not want to prove anything to anybody, all they wanted was to achieve their goals. A Champion, a third place and a fourth place, combined with Nick's efforts was more than enough to place St. Anthony's in 6th. This was only the third time that the Friars finished in the Top 6 in team scoring in the NY State tournament. With the exception of Nick, all of these wrestlers will be back next season. Some of these men achieved their dream, some fell short, others surpassed even their own expectations. However they did it all with 2 key elements that are essential to any athletes success: 1) Determination; they were willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve their goals...and then some2) They Believed.I ask all wrestlers returning to the team next year, Do You Believe ???
Because I know a few guys who did...
St. Anthony's Wrestlers with 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Cejudo
From Left to Right: Chris Brienza, Grant Greene, Henry Cejudo, Jimmy Morris,
In the Back Row: Nick AuriemmaTo View Matches Click here
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