John Jay Closing Wrestling Season with a Good Day at the Sectionals

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On Wednesday February 12, John Jay took to the County Center and was hoping to crown some Sectional Champs. Unfortunately, none reached the top of the podium, but it was still a good day for the Wolves.

A second place finish for David Corrales will send the freshman to the states, and the Wolf wasn’t alone on the podium. Jake Llanos, Jojo Kern, John Aniello and Ryker McCarthy all ascended and brought home some hardware for the John Jay trophy case.

First and foremost, Corrales didn’t break much a sweat in the semifinals. He won a 21-5 technical fall over Joshua Concha of New Rochelle, and all that stood in his way was a seventh grader. “He was just really strong, a lot of muscles and pretty compact,” said Corrales after he suffered a technical fall in the finals.

Still, Corrales saw plenty of upside. “Last year, I didn’t even make the sectionals, and now I dropped second place,” he said. “A big jump that I’m so proud of.”

His travel itinerary to Albany wasn’t stamped yet, though. Corrales still had to win his true second match. But doubt did not linger and neither did his reaction. “Winning the match, “I’m going to the states,” he beamed after a quick pin.

Down a few levels, Jojo Kern lost in the semis to Luke Ryan. A 17-2 defeat, the Wolf meant business in the consolation round, and Coach Mark Swertfager was not surprised when Kern dominated in a 4-0 win.

Not done, Kern aimed to join Corrales with a true second victory. Unfortunately, C.J. Luth was too much for Kern, and while the second period pin ended the senior’s career, Swertfager placed the wrestler in a class by himself. “Hard work and dedication, his leadership - the kids really looked up to him,” said the coach. “He controlled the room, did what we needed him to do, and his love for the sport is second to none.”

Swertfager saw Jake Llanos along the same lines. “He embodies John Jay wrestling. He is John Jay wrestling,” asserted the coach. “He is a leader. He is the bar.”

Raised this weekend, the senior took fourth and wasn’t complaining. “I’m satisfied. There’s nothing I would change,” assured Llanos.

Of course, he probably would have taken a little more tilt in the battle for third. Late in the third with his opponent hedging out of bounds, Llanos was just short of breaching a 90 degree angle for back points and then lost in overtime. “I’m going to be thinking about that for a while,” he said.

Not really, Llanos let perspective level any disappointment. “I beat my seed. I did better than last year. I’m happy with that,” said the Wolf.

Up a notch, so was Ryker McCarthy. This despite falling 12-5 in the semis to Binak Bruncaj, the 285 pounder didn’t worry about his time management in the subsequent wrestle back. Three overtimes for the win, his long view was the difference. “I knew what would win,” the sophomore revealed. “I just dragged it out and didn’t make any dumb mistakes.”

A late takedown, the consolation prize barely left him in one piece. “I was tired,” McCarthy quipped.

The good news, the Wolf felt he still had a leg up on John Brew of Clarkstown South. “I think he was more tired,” the bronze medalist punched another line.

Either way, the result was the same. “He kept shooting into my arms and nothing happened for him,” said McCarthy after the 6-0 victory.

Finally, John Jay finished with another underclassman. “Coming in as a 10th seed, he took 6th," said Swertfager of John Aniello. “He wrestled his match and didn’t let the nerves get to him.”

A trap that a freshman could easily fall into, Aniello took pride in not succumbing. “It feels great because I’ve never been here before,” he said.

All good for a team total of 88, the top ten team finish closed the book on a successful season.