Breakout seasons for Long Island wrestling: Bellmore JFK leads the way
Jared Eisenberg of Bellmore JFK pinned Jayden Tyson of Bellport at 138 pounds in the finals of the 50th Annual Sprig Gardner Wrestling Tournament on Dec. 13, 2025 at Mepham. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Perhaps the biggest breakout for the 2025-26 high school wrestling season rests with the Bellmore JFK program.
Coach Brian DeGaetano, in his 31st season, has the Cougars off to an incredible start. They are 16-0 in dual meets and have fared well in tournament action. They finished second to top-seeded Massapequa at the 50th Annual Sprig Gardner tournament.
“We are a year ahead of schedule,” DeGaetano said. “I thought we wouldn’t be this successful until next season, but these young guys work hard and are trying to live up to the tradition of Bellmore JFK wrestling.”
The Bellmore JFK program was a force in the 1970s. The Cougars won three Nassau titles (1971, '73, '74) and finished second in 1972 and 1975.
It’s been 50 years since the Cougars have challenged for the Nassau dual meet and tournament crowns. They finished ninth in last year’s Section VIII tournament.
The Cougars clinched the regular season dual meet title in Nassau Conference 2-B with a win over 63-16 win over Roslyn on Jan. 14.
They recently captured the Newburgh Free Academy dual meet tournament with a 5-0 record and won their own tournament by winning five more matches. Bellmore JFK posted a fifth-place finish out of 24 teams at the Mid-Hudson Tournament.
The Bellmore JFK lineup is loaded, n including juniors Hendrick Capo (24-4 at 150 pounds), Harlan Chugerman (21-4 at 157 pounds), and Jared Eisenberg (28-1 at 138 pounds). All three are having breakout seasons.
DeGaetano won his 400th dual meet earlier this season and shares the credit with his assistant coaches, two of whom he coached at Bellmore JFK, Rob Person and Dan Arkow. Anthony Dushaj and Peter Barros are also on the staff.
“We have a complete and dedicated staff,” DeGaetano said. “Our wrestlers might be somewhat unknown when we take the mat. But I’m sure opponents know who we are when the match is over.”
Peter Mikedis (21-0), ranked first in Nassau at 165 pounds, and Jason Brodack (18-8 at 118 pounds) are two sophomore who are also making a splash this season.
“Our lineup is balanced,” DeGaetano said.
Light and mighty
The lightest weight class at 103 pounds in Suffolk may be the most talented and the deepest. Freshman Benjamin Marino (25-1) of Bay Shore won his first 23 matches of the season before losing last week, 7-0, to freshman Hunter Phillips (26-2) of Ward Melville in a dual meet. Eighth-grader Jace Rooney (27-3) of East Islip opened the season with 21 straight wins before losing to Marino, 15-4, in the finals of the Rocky Gilmore Tournament at East Islip.
Benjamin Marino of Bay Shore defeated Jace Rooney of East Islip by major decision, 15-4, at 103 pounds in the Rocky Gilmore Classic Wrestling Tournament on Jan. 3, 2026 in Islip Terrace. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
“I worked really hard in the offseason to get better," Marino said. “But there are so many good guys out there so you can lose any time. You need to always be at your best.”
'Point' taken
Rocky Point has been a staple in the upper echelon of Suffolk boys wrestling for many years. The Eagles have crowned seven state champions and longtime coach Darren Goldstein has coached six of them in his 22 years. Goldstein, who coached his final home dual meet for the boys this week, is also guiding a flourishing girls team.
Two wrestlers are having breakout seasons. Senior Angelica Smiech (10-3 record at 100 pounds) and eighth-grader Daisy Morbillo (12-5 at 185 pounds) are expected to make an impact in the Suffolk girls tournament.
Rocky Point's Angelica Smiech, top, wrestles in the 107-pound weight class on Dec. 15, 2024 at Huntington High School. Credit: George A Faella
“Smiech will be there at the end with a chance to win the county tournament and qualify for the state tournament,” Goldstein said. “She has come so far since last season.”
Morbillo just started wrestling last season and has found immediate success.
“She will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years,” Goldstein said of the Rocky Point Middle School student.
In other girls wrestling news, North Babylon junior Melania Turano of the Bay Shore team is off to an impressive start. She has a 10-2 record and is ranked No. 1 on Long Island at 138 ponds.
“She was pretty good last season,” Goldstein said. “And there’s been some big-time improvement. She’s been great this season.”
