Yorktown senior captain Rocco Lore capped a remarkable wrestling career by placing fifth in the 215-pound weight class at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Division I tournament Feb. 27-28 at MVP Arena in Albany, earning All-State honors.
“I was happy that I placed and got All-State,” said Lore, who was 4-2 at states. “However, I was pretty disappointed to get fifth place because I had much higher goals and I set myself to a pretty high standard, but sometimes plans just don’t go the way you envisioned.”
Lore’s five-year run with the Huskers included two sectional titles, one at 215 pounds this season and another at 285 pounds in 2024. He also notched his 100th career win in January at the Eastern States Classic in Clifton Park.
“To wrestle at Yorktown meant everything to me and will be a part of my life I’ll cherish and never forget,” Lore said. “I loved the team, the culture and the coaching staff. Coach Jimmy [Kaishian] taught me so much over the years and is hands down one of the best coaches in the state.
“Wrestling on this team was some of the best years of my life and I wish I had one more with this team.”
Junior Tyler Caricati went 3-2 in the 175-pound weight class, earning All-State honors with a seventh-place finish.
“I felt my performance at states was great as one of my goals for this season was to get All-State so I’m very happy with how I did,” Caricati said. “This does motivate me a lot more to get a higher place at states next year and work much harder in the offseason.”
Yorktown junior Rowan Larsen lost both his matches at 144 pounds, but the experience of competing against the state’s best was invaluable.
“It was a great feeling being able to wrestle at states,” Larsen said. “Being there this year definitely motivates me to get to work and get back next year.”
Yorktown finished 21st out of 139 teams, scoring 21.5 points.
Sophomore Lei Guarin competed at states in the 107-pound weight class Feb. 26 at MVP Arena, becoming the first Lakeland/Panas Rebel girls wrestler to compete at states.
“Lei went 1-2 at states,” said Lakeland/Panas coach Dave Bergen. “She lost to the wrestlers who ended up taking second and third. She wrestled super hard and I was very happy with her performance. She battled in every match and represented herself and the program amazingly.”
In her first season with the Rebels, Guarin posted a 16-4 record in freestyle wrestling.
“She is a sectional champion and had her hand raised at states, which is incredible,” Bergen said. “Her success is a result of all of the hard work she put in this season and it means so much to the program.
“We spoke at the beginning of the season about her being a trailblazer. As the first Lakeland/Panas girl that we have had competing in girls tournaments and girls sectionals and states, she set an example of what is possible. She is a hard worker and great teammate and her success will be a huge boost to the girls side of our program.”
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