Yorktown, coming off an outstanding campaign where it finished 19-7 and second in the Section 1 Division 1 Tournament in 2024-25, has plenty of talent returning from that team to keep the good times rolling.
Leading the Huskers is 215-pound senior Rocco Lore, a sectional champion last season when he got bumped up to the 285-pound weight class. Lore sets the tone for the Huskers with how he trains and competes.
Junior 175-pound Tyler Caricati, 35-11 and a sectional finalist in 2024-25, is a consistent competitor with a high upside. Fellow junior, 157-pound Rowan Larson, finished in fifth at the sectionals last season and is one of the best the Huskers have.
Another junior, 126-pound Gio Tornambe, was a sectional finalist in 2023-24, missed last season due to injury but is fully healthy and hungry going into this campaign. Eighth grader, 110-pound Luca Lore, Rocco’s brother, was fourth in the sectionals a season ago and has made huge strides this offseason.
“We expect this core group to take another step forward and continue raising the overall floor of our room,” said Husker fifth-year coach and 2013 Yorktown graduate, Dr. Jimmy Kaishian. “I’m incredibly proud of them — not just for what they’ve accomplished on the mat, but for how they’ve grown as leaders and as young men. Their example drives the culture we’re building.”
Rocco Lore is the Huskers’ captain, who finished 36-6 a season ago.
Also a captain this fall for Yorktown football and a member of the North squad in the Section 1 Senior Exceptional All-Star Game, Lore had to deal with the death of his father Frank Lore on Feb. 23, then was hospitalized a day later, when he was in intensive care with a respiratory condition.
That came less than a week before Lore was set to compete in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Division 1 Tournament. In 2024, Lore wrestled at the state tournament, going 2-2.
“Rocco has been through more this year than any 17-year-old should,” Kaishian said. “Tough times create tough people, and we’re incredibly proud of how he’s responded — choosing to channel himself into positive pursuits and setting the standard for our team both in effort and in character.”
Eighth graders, 101-pounders Jace McCormack and Nicholas Hobson, are grapplers Kaishian has high hopes for.
“They are two middle schoolers who may see their first action at the Section 1 championships,” Kaishian said. “Both have the potential to make a real splash this season as they continue to develop.”
The Huskers are also expecting big things from Nicholas Duran (junior, 190), Adam Yakout (senior, 165), Giancarlo Gentile (senior, 152), Pavel Lopez (junior, 152), Julian Cuenca (junior, 132), Frank Scalera (senior, 132), and Cooper Constantine (sophomore, 138), who all put in tremendous work in the offseason.
Yorktown opens the season at the Mike Nardone Tournament in Ossining at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The Huskers finished third last season in the tournament, which they won in 2023 and 2022.
“Our goals are consistent every year; be the best people we can be and be a team of leaders,” Kaishian said. "We expect our athletes to support one another, understand they’re part of something bigger than themselves, and invest in that culture. We already have several kids who stay after practice to coach our youth program — that’s the standard we’re trying to build here in Yorktown. When the culture is strong, the winning takes care of itself.”
Lakeland/Panas coach Dave Bergen enters his ninth season coaching the Rebels, with plenty of returning talent in seniors Matt Clyman (157, All-League, All-Section, 33-9 last season), Michael Santoiemma (150), Matteo Santiago (138, All-League), Carlos R Pagan (132), Carlos M Pagan (132), Owen McManus (126), Ben Franco (175, All-League), and Raul Aristy (190, All-League).
Junior Steven Sommovigo (157), sophomore Dan Horowitz (138, All-League, 32-10), freshman Nate Horowitz (126, All-League), and eighth grader Enzo Maraglino (132 pounds, 13-4) also return.
“As always I expect good solid leadership from the guys that have been there before,” Bergen said. “They won a lot of matches and have valuable experience to share. I expect them to share that experience in words and actions. I also expect them to pass down the expectations for being a member of our team.”
Clyman, Aristy, Carlos R Pagan, and McManus are the Rebel captains.
“These young men have been with our program for years,” Bergen said. “They are all great examples of what is expected from a member of our team. They work hard and do all of the extra little things to help themselves and the team get better. They are also great ambassadors for the team helping welcome new members in and helping the whole program come together as one team.”
As for newcomers, the Rebels are still waiting to see who will emerge.
“We have a good number of new freshmen and sophomores and I am hopeful that some of them will be ready to take big steps towards being great,” said Bergen, whose team was 13-7 a year ago.
Lakeland/Panas opens the season at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at the White Plains Tiger Invitational, with its first dual meet being against visiting Mahopac at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 at Copper Beech Middle School.
“As always we want to be competitive in every match and tournament,” Bergen said. “Last season we did really well winning the Hendrick Hudson Tournament and coming in second at Yorktown. We also won our league. It will be tough to match that success but we will go out and try our best all season.”
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