Port Jefferson Wrestlers Shine At Armstrong Cup Tournament

PORT JEFFERSON, NY – The Port Jefferson School District wrestling team shined in the annual Armstrong Cup wrestling tournament hosted at Earl L. Vandermeulen High School on Jan. 22-23.

The Royals came away with four weight class champions: Frankie D’Elia, 110 pounds; Anthony Evangelista, 152 pounds (three-time tournament champion); Anthony Pipia, 160 pounds; and Willy Rodriguez, 215 pounds.

Pipia also had the most pins in the least amount of time, registering five pins in 7:40.

Eight other Royals wrestlers finished in the top four of their weight class: Nick Rodriguez, third at 102 pounds; Cade Delgado, third at 118 pounds; Chris Lotten, third at 126 pounds; Liam Rogers, second at 132 pounds; Braeden Cesarski, fourth at 138 pounds, Preston Biedenkapp, fourth at 172 pounds; Junior Beltran, fourth at 189 pounds and Jagger Celentano, third at 285 pounds.

“Due to a shortened season and COVID restrictions, we weren’t able to host any tournaments last year,” Adam Sherrard, director of health, physical education, athletics and nursing, said in a statement. “It was great to keep the tradition going and host the Armstrong Cup again this year. Our wrestlers certainly did not disappoint, with outstanding performances across the board. With close to 100 wrestlers involved, it was exciting to see Port Jefferson wrestling dominate the tournament.”

The Royals will host a multi-team dual meet tournament, when they will highlight their senior wrestlers, on Feb. 2.