John Arceri Wins State
Wrestling Championship
John Arceri is tough as nails. The Huntington High School junior came from behind to topple John Jay-East Fishkill senior Jay Albis in the 113 lb. state wrestling finals last Saturday night, 3-2 in three overtimes before a crowd of more than 10,000 at the Times Union Center in Albany.
Arceri’s title marks the 27th time a Huntington wrestler has won a state crown. The teenager finished the season with a 42-1 record. “I can’t believe I finally did it,” the teenager said minutes after having his hand raised in the center of the mat. “It’s always been my goal to win the state championship. I thought I could win here this year. I never doubted myself.”
“John’s determination and sheer will to win propelled him to the title,” said Travis Smith, the Blue Devils’ head coach. “He just keeps coming at you; he simply never stops.”
Albis struck first in the finals, gaining a first period takedown. Arceri then rode his foe for the entire second period, during which Albis was given a warning for stalling. Trailing 2-0, Arceri scrambled his way to an escape about a minute into the third period. He immediately went to work pressing Albis in a somewhat frantic effort to score. When Albis got called for stalling with about 15 seconds remaining, it tied the match at 2-2 and sent the bout into overtime.
Neither wrestler could score while on their feet in the first 30 second overtime. Arceri broke free in the second 30 second frame and then again rode out Albis in the last 30 second segment to claim the state mat title.
“He was very big and very strong,” said Arceri about his finals foe. The Blue Devil star came off the mat with large bruises on his face, looking like he had just been through a war. While confident, the teenager never comes off as arrogant. He’s somewhat reserved and prefers to let his performance speak for itself.
“John shows up every day ready to go,” Smith said. “He does what we ask of him. There are never any hassles. He’s great to work with and is a super teammate. Everyone is proud of him.”
The junior is known for his tightly controlled matches. Arceri is rarely found out of position and is especially tough in clinches and in the top position. He doesn’t get flustered in a jam.
After attending St. Patrick’s School through second grade, Arceri transferred into the Huntington School District and went to Washington Primary School for third grade, where teachers immediately took notice of his attitude and abilities. He was named Washington's Physical Education Student of the Year as a third grader.
Arceri is the second state wrestling champion in his family. His father, also named John, was an undefeated (35-0) state champion for Ward Melville High School in 1981.
Arceri’s Road to Finals
After opening the tournament with a 5-0 decision of Canton junior Ryan Brown, Arceri topped Half Hollow Hills East sophomore Phil Spadafora in the quarterfinals, 4-2. The three time Section XI champion then nipped Hilton sophomore Austin Hertel in the semifinals, 3-2. Arceri’s first period takedown and third period escape proved to be the difference in the match.
Huntington junior Joseph Puca (170 lbs.) and senior Brandon Mendez also competed in the state wrestling championships this past weekend. Puca and Mendez both earned All-State honors in their respective weight class.
Puca Reaches Semifinals
Puca upset third seeded Cornwall senior Quinn Zsido in the first round, 16-7. The Huntington junior then topped Eastchester junior Nunzio Crowley in the quarterfinals, 8-5.
Clarence senior Nate Schwab stopped Puca in the semifinals, 5-2. Thrown into the consolation bracket, the Blue Devil star was pinned by Indian River junior Sonny McPherson in 0:54. Puca then dropped a rematch with Crowley, 3-1 to finish sixth at 170 lbs. and close the season with a 39-8 mark.
Mendez Grapples to Sixth Place
Mendez fell to Minisink Valley junior AJ Aerberli in the first round, 3-2. He then won a pair of bouts in the consolation bracket, pinning South Glens Falls junior Brandon Bruttomesso in 1:54 and edging Newark Valley senior Vinnie Darpino, 4-2.
Mendez was defeated by Mount St. Michael’s Academy senior Addrian Ferraire in the wrestle-back semifinals, 6-5. He then topped Ballston Spa freshman Tyler Barnes, 11-3 for sixth place in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association bracket.
Mendez was awarded a sixth place NYSPHSAA medal because Ferraire went on to place fourth. When a CHSAA wrestler finishes in the top six of a weight class they are awarded a State Federation medal and the highest placing wrestlers from NYSPHSAA schools move up in the final standings. (Arceri and Puca received both NYSPHSAA and State Federation medals on the victory platform.)
H-ton Finishes Among Top Teams
Section XI easily won the sectional team title, outdistancing runner-up Section VIII (Nassau), 312.50 to 178. Huntington finished 11th in the individual high school team standings with 34 points. Six of the top 11 teams were from Suffolk. Rochester area Hilton won the individual team championship with 71 points.
New York State Mat Champions from Huntington
1973: Lou Giani, Jr., Charles Gadson 1974: Jeff Thomas 1975: Jeff Thomas 1976: Mike Rosenbauer 1977: Paul Widerman 1978: Mike Thomas, Paul Widerman 1980: Bill Gaffney (MOW), 1982: Kieran Mock 1984: Gene McNeil 1985: Mark Billups 1986: Gene McNeil, Drew Jackson 1992: Brian Fischenich 1994: Jim Amira 1998: Dawid Rechul 2000: Pat Flynn, Jack Piana 2002: Pat Flynn, Steven Palacios, Stephon Sair 2004: Shawn Riley 2010: Damon McQueen, Nigel McNeil 2011: Nigel McNeil 2015: John Arceri.