Defending Section 1 champ Przymylski returns to lead Wolf Pac grapplers

Folks throw the word “tradition” around a lot these days, but when it comes to Section 1 wrestling, tradition is a matter of fact for both Mahopac High and the Tornambe family. Mahopac wrestling coach Steven Tornambe has etched his name in the record books as a two-time Section 1 champion (when split divisions didn’t exist) and hall of famer while the Wolf Pac – then known as the Indians – were crowned Section 1 champions in four consecutive years at the turn of the century under four different head coaches, including Sal Imbimbo, Joe Mahoney, John Degl and Tony Iasiello.

With two sons – eighth-grader SJ and freshman Anthony – on the Wolf Pac squad, coach Tornambe, the former Ossining High legend, is hoping for somewhat similar results with his two sons as they expand their varsity careers under his watch.

Mahopac senior Charles Przymylski, the reigning 124-pound Section 1 champ and Wolf Pac captain, returns to defend his title. Having placed second and third in previous Section 1 tournaments, Przymylski is no stranger to the big stage.

“This offseason was my best one yet,” said Przymylski, who intends to battle at 138 this season as 2025 Wolf Pac Section 1 champion Rob DeMauro has graduated from that classification. “I stayed injury-free all year, and I was at camps or tournaments almost every week. I saw the most improvement I’ve ever had in my wrestling career, and I can’t wait for the season to start.

“My personal goals this year are to repeat as a Section 1 champion, and, most importantly, to be on top of the podium at states,” he added. “I plan on wrestling 138 for the entire season. As a team, we have high expectations. I think a top three finish at sectionals is definitely possible.”

Junior Pace Zeiler is one to keep an eye on in the 157-pound division. He’s had a terrific offseason and has what it takes to push for a Section 1 title as another captain of the Wolf Pac. Sophomore Marcelo Moser will back Zeiler up.

Junior Justin Cabuhat (118), senior Jake Clark (190) and junior Hector Perez (165) all return with a vast amount of experience and know-how.

At 285, senior Peter Grishaj is no longer a greenhorn to wrestling, and the Wolf Pac are counting on his production in the heavyweight division after a successful football campaign, which drew offers from SUNY Cortland.

At 103, freshman Anthony Tornambe looks like a lock for success. At 110, freshman Matt Camperlengo and eighth-grader SJ Tornambe provide a tough combination for opponents.

At 118, junior captain Justin Cabuhat is a feisty handful and sophomore Aaron Rojas will push for a role. At 126, the Wolf Pac will run out senior Kevin Suarez and sophomore Andrew Rojas. At 132, seniors Conor Lowery and Ashmin Contractor will divvy up time. At 144, junior Billy Camperlengo and senior Dayton Leone will lead up to 150-pound sophomore Leo Pryzmylski.

At 175, senior captain Sean Coronel is a lock among the big boys at the back end, also including senior captain Clark and 215-pound sophomore Nick DiFrancesca, with Grishaj closing it out.

The Wolf Pac will operate out of League F where Nyack, Ossining, Tappan Zee and Peekskill will round out the league.

The fourth-seeded Wolf Pac will host the opening round of the Section 1 dual meet tournament on Dec. 11 (4:30 p.m.) against No. 29 Mount Vernon with the No. 13 Tappan Zee vs. No. 20 Suffern winner on deck. The quarterfinals will follow on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the home of the higher seeds, with the semis and finals taking place on Thursday, Dec. 18.

The winners of the Section 1 Dual Meet tournaments advance to the New York State Dual Meet Tournament on Jan. 31 at SRC Arena and Events Center in Syracuse.

These are the new weight classes in 2025-26: 103, 110, 118, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 157, 165, 175, 190, 215 and 285.

The Section 1 D-I championships will be held Feb. 7-8 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains where 32 programs in all will challenge for sectional supremacy. North Rockland ran off with team title honors in 2025 with 111.5 points, outperforming runner-up Yorktown (96.5 points) and third-place Mahopac (93.5).

“We’ve got some guys on this team that can push for another strong sectional finish,” Przymylski said.

The NYSPHSAA Div. I and Div. II boys championship will be held Feb. 27-28 at MVP Arena in Albany. Mahopac has had just two NYS champions – Joe Mazzruco (2000) and Degl (1991) – in its rich history.