THE TOP 5 WRESTLERS PER DECADE

Who Made The Cut?

The following pages list the top 5 wrestlers per decade. This list is quite "subjective" as I relied purely on the following criteria: placings in the NYS Tournament, placings in the Section IX/I Tournament, placings in the Rockland County Tournament, placings in the Division/District tournament, and any individual stats I was able to gather.

I still have some gaps in information, specifically records and accurate placings for the 1980's. I am always searching for data to build a more complete history of the program and will update the information and rankings as I am able to acquire anything of substance.

Pictures of many wrestlers will need to be added once I am able to scour through old yearbooks.

Enjoy! Coach Mellino

2010-2020 TOP 5 WRESTLERS

#1 - RYAN STERN

#2 - ALEXIS DIAZ

Ryan was a 2X New York State Tournament Qualifier ( 2018,2020) and North's only 5X All-Section wrestler (6th, 6th, 2nd, 4th, 3rd). Ryan is still the only 7th grader to ever be All-Section. Ryan was a 2X Division Champion ( 5X place finisher), a Rockland County Champion, and the RAM Award Team MVP recipient. He left North as #1 in All-Time Wins (183), #1 All-Time matches (260), #2 All-Time pins (107), and was selected as North's Winter Athlete of the Season.

#2 - ALEXIS DIAZ

Alexis was a New York State Tournament Qualifier (2019) and a 2X All-Section place finisher (3rd, 2nd). Alexis was a 2X Division Champion and a 2X Rockland County Champion where he won the MOW as well as consecutive Most Pins Awards his junior and senior years. He left North #7 in career wins (112), #2 in career pins (98), #5 in career matches (158), and was selected as North's Winter Athlete of the Season.

#3 - COLBY KASH

#2 - ALEXIS DIAZ

#4 - MAKSIM KUTSEPAU

Colby was All-Section twice ( 3rd, 2nd) and a New York State Tournament Qualifier (2013). Colby was a 2X Division Champion, a Rockland County Champion, and the RAM Award Team MVP recipient. Colby left North #3 in all-time wins (132) , #3 in career matches (173), and has the 9th best winning percentage in RAMS history (.7630).

#4 - MAKSIM KUTSEPAU

Maksim was a New York State Tournament Qualifier (2016), an All-Section wrestler three times (5th, 2nd, 2nd) and a 2X Section finalist. Maksim was a 2X Division Champion and a 2X Rockland County finalist. Maksim left North #4 in career wins (117), #3 in career pins (78), and #4 in career matches wrestled (156).

#5 - PAUL FIELDS

#4 - MAKSIM KUTSEPAU

#5 - PAUL FIELDS

Paul was a 2X All-Section wrestler (5th, 3rd) a Division Champion ( 3X place finisher), a Rockland County finalist, and a 2X RAM Award Team MVP recipient. When Paul left North, he was #6 in career wins (96), #5 in career pins (63), and #5 in career matches wrestled (142).

2000-2010 TOP 5 WRESTLERS

#1 - STEVEN RAMOS

#2 - SCOTT ARONOWITZ

Steven finished 3rd place at the New York State Tournament in 2009 going 4-1 and pinning his opponent for 3rd place. Steven was a 2X Section I Champion, a 3X NYS qualifier, a 3X Division Champion pinning his way through the all 3 tournaments, and a 3X Rockland County Champion. He left North #1 in career wins (172), #1 in career pins (112), #1 in career matches (214), and was the Winter Athlete of the Season for North.

#2 - SCOTT ARONOWITZ

Scott finished in 4th place in the New York State Tournament in 2002 going 4-2. Scott was a Section I Champion, a Division Champion, and a 2X Rockland County Champion as well as earning the MOW Award. He left North #3 in career wins (87), #5 in career matches (115), and his single season win total of 37 was #1 when he graduated.

#3 - NICK CIFUNI

#2 - SCOTT ARONOWITZ

#4 - BRAD KANTROWITZ

Nick was a Section I Champion and 3X place finisher (5th, 3rd, 1st). Nick went 2-2 at the New York State Tournament (2007) losing in the bloodround to finish in 7th/8th. Nick was a 2X Division Champion, a 2X Rockland County Champion, and the RAM Award Team MVP recipient.. He left North #1 in career wins (147), #1 in career pins (88), and #1 in career matches wrestled (197).

#4 - BRAD KANTROWITZ

#5 - ANDREW GREENBERG

#4 - BRAD KANTROWITZ

Brad was a Section I finalist (losing 6-2 to the eventual state runner-up), a 2X Division Champion, and a 2X Rockland County Champion including a 4-2 win over that year's state runner-up. In his senior year, he was the RAM Award Team MVP recipient.

#5 - ANDREW GREENBERG

Andrew Greenberg was a 3X Section I place finisher. Andrew was also a Rockland County Champion and 3X Division finalist. Andrew left North #3 in career wins (116), #4 in career pins (68), #4 in career matches wrestled (155), and he was the RAM Award Team MVP recipient.

1990-2000 TOP 5 WRESTLERS

#1 - CHRIS GRANATA

Chris was All-Section 4X, including being a Section finalist 3X. Chris was also a 4X Division Champion, and a 4X Rockland County Champion ( the only wrestler in North history to accomplish this feat) as well winning the Rockland County MOW Award. Chris left North #1 in career wins (114), #1 in career pins (70), #1 in career matches (128), #4 career winning percentage (.8906), and he was the RAM Award Team MVP recipient.

#2 - REECE PATE

#1 - CHRIS GRANATA

Although Reece only wrestled in 10th and 12th grade, he had a phenomenal career going 50-17. Reese finished in 5th place at the New York State Tournament in 2009 going 3-2, the first state place finisher since 1968. He was also a Division Champion, and he was the RAM Award Team MVP recipient.

#3 - ERIC SEIGEL

#1 - CHRIS GRANATA

#4 - JACK GRANATA

Eric was a Section I Champion in 1996 earning a trip to the New York State Tournament. Eric was also a 3X Division Champion (the first in North wrestling history) and received the Division Tournament MOW upon winning this 3rd title. When he left North, he was #2 in career wins (78), #3 in career matches (103), #10 in career winning percentage (. 7572), and he was the RAM Award Team MVP recipient.

#4 - JACK GRANATA

Jack was a 2X Division Champion and received the Division MOW Award. Jack was a Rockland County Champion, was All-Section as a junior, but unfortunately got the flu heading into the Sections where he was undefeated at 27-0 losing his first match. Jack left North #1 in career wins (90), #2 in career matches wrestled (119), and he was a 2X RAM Award Team MVP recipient.

#5 - SCOTT SIMON

#4 - JACK GRANATA

#5 - SCOTT SIMON

Scott was a Division Champion ( as well as a 2nd) and a Section I Finalist, losing to the eventual Section champion and Rockland County champion in 5 tournaments that season. He graduated with a 69-28 career record, and he was the RAM Award Team MVP recipient.

1980-1990 TOP 5 WRESTLERS

#1 - CARMINE SERRA

#3 - DAMON MONTEFERRANTE

#1 - CARMINE SERRA

Carmine was All-Section 2X ( 3rd, 3rd) and a Rockland County Champion. When he graduated from North, he was #1 in career wins (75) and #1 in career matches wrestled (90). His career winning percentage (.8333) is #5, and he was a 2X RAM Award Team MVP recipient.

#2 - JIM KELLY

#3 - DAMON MONTEFERRANTE

#1 - CARMINE SERRA

Jim Kelly was a Section I Champion in 1983 earning a trip to compete at the New York State Tournament and he was the RAM Award Team MVP recipient.

#3 - DAMON MONTEFERRANTE

Damon was a Division Champion and an All-Section wrestler placing 4th. He was also the RAM Award Team MVP recipient.

#4 - LONNIE MOORE

#3 - DAMON MONTEFERRANTE

Lonnie was a Division Champion ( 2nd the year before) and an All-Section wrestler placing 4th. Lonnie also posted the 10th best single season winning percentage when he was 30-3. He was the RAM Award Team MVP recipient his senior year.

HELP

#4 - LONNIE MOORE

#5 - KEVIN LOONEY

The information for 1980-1990 is based on very limited information. Unfortunately most of the records from this decade are missing and incomplete. My research is ongoing but if you have any specific information, please email me at AMELLINO@CCSD.EDU

#5 - KEVIN LOONEY

#4 - LONNIE MOORE

#5 - KEVIN LOONEY

Kevin was a Rockland County Champion and was the Section I runner-up.

1970-1980 TOP 5 WRESTLERS

#1 - JOHN LYNCH

#3 - DON BRENNER

#1 - JOHN LYNCH

John competed at New York State Tournament in 1978 when he became a Section I Champion. John was also a 2X Rockland County Champion and he was the RAM Award Team MVP recipient his senior year. John graduated with the #2 best All-Time Career winning percentage (.8970) and is #8 for the best Single Season winning percentage when he was 22-2. (.9166)

#2 - TIM TRUE

#3 - DON BRENNER

#1 - JOHN LYNCH

Tim was a 2X All-Section wrestler placing 3rd and 2nd. He was also a District Champion as well as a 2X Rockland County Champion.

#3 - DON BRENNER

Don competed at New York State Tournament in 1971 when he became a Section I Champion. Don was also a District Champion as well as a Rockland County Champion.

#4 - LARRY O'NEILL

#3 - DON BRENNER

Larry competed at New York State Tournament in 1971 when he became a Section I Champion. Larry was also a Section I runner-up as well as a District Champion.

#5 - HANK RENELLA

#4 - LARRY O'NEILL

#5 - HANK RENELLA

Hank competed at New York State Tournament in 1978 when he became a Section I Champion.

1954-1970 TOP 5 WRESTLERS

#1 - MIKE STECKLER

#2 - CHUCK KWIECINSKI

Mike was the first All-State wrestler in Clarkstown history when he finished in 2nd place in 1968 at The New York State Tournament. Mike was also a 2X Section I Champion as well as a 2X Rockland County Champion. When he graduated, he was #1 in career wins (74), career matches (83), and has the 3rd best career winning percentage (.8916).

#2 - CHUCK KWIECINSKI

Chuck earned the right to compete in the New York State Tournament in 1968 when he captured the Section I title and was also presented with the Section I MOW Award. Chuck was All-Section 3X ( 2nd, 4th, 1st) and went on to win 3 Rockland County championships ( as well as a 2nd). His 66-5 career record is #1 All-Time winning percentage (.9296).

#3 - GEORGE PETERMAN

#2 - CHUCK KWIECINSKI

#3 - GEORGE PETERMAN

George competed in the New York State Tournament in 1966 when he captured the Section I title. At that Section I Tournament he was presented with the MOW Award. George was also a Rockland County Champion.

#4 - JOHN KAVANAUGH

#5 - AL KWIECINSKI

#3 - GEORGE PETERMAN

John captured a Section I title in 1968 and at New York State Tournament. John was also a Rockland County Champion ( 2nd the previous year) and was presented with the Rockland County MOW Award.

#5 - AL KWIECINSKI

Al competed at a time before there was the Section (that started in 1963) and District tournaments ( first held in 1970) but during his career he was a 2X Rockland County Champion.