Section 1 Wrestlers Prepare for Eastern States

LOCH SHELDRAKE, N.Y. -- The Eastern States Wrestling Classic was one tournament that had eluded Brian Realbuto’s championship grasp.

The Somers’ senior wanted to win the premier regular-season competition in New York and last year, Realbuto accomplished it, beating Holley‘s Quentin Murphy in the 135-pound final.

Realbuto is looking to become Section 1‘s first two-time titlist when the 10th annual two-day event commences, Friday, 10:40 a.m. at Sullivan Community College.

Wrestlers representing 101 schools and four states will be competing. Wrestling will resume, Saturday, 9:15 a.m., with the finals scheduled for 4:15 p.m.

Realbuto is one of many Section 1 wrestlers seeded, but the only one seeded first -- in the 152-pound weight class. “Winning last year just meant that I was doing the things I was supposed to be doing,” said Realbuto, who is undefeated this season. “My training was working and I needed to continue doing that into the state tournament.”Which Realbuto did as he won the New York State Division I 135-pound title.

Somers, along with Ardsley, Fox Lane, New Rochelle, Ossining, Edgemont, Croton, Port Chester and Scarsdale will have wrestlers participating. Other Section 1 schools sending wrestlers are Brewster, Mahopac, Nanuet and North Rockland.

Realbuto does not feel any pressure as the No. 1 seed . “Being the No. 1 seed does not change my approach,” Realbuto said. “I am still going into it with the same relentless mentality on the mat.” Realbuto is on schedule to meet Long Beach's Dylan Palacio, the second seed, in the final. Palacio is also a returning champion.

Dylan Realbuto is seeded third in the 113-pound weight class, behind second seed Trey Aslanian of Edgemont. Dom DeVita drew the seventh seed at 220.

Fox Lane enters the tournament with six wrestlers seeded: Sam Speno (fifth at 126), Danny Ventura (second at 132), Tommy Grippi (12th at 138), Matt Pasqualini (third at 160, Danny Clune (eighth at 220) and Ben Ettlinger (15th at 120).

Tyler Lilly is making his second trip to Eastern States. The New Rochelle senior, seeded fifth at 220, is joined by teammates Nick Barbaria (seventh at 99), Aaron Butler (seventh at 170) and Jonathan Stokes (16th at 182).

“I really don’t care much about my seed,” Lilly said. “I am really excited about this weekend because I can’t wait to wrestle against some of the best in the state.”Here is a look at the area’s seeded wrestlers:

99 -- No. 7 Nick Barbaria (New Rochelle), No. 15 Kevin Rodriguez (Port Chester).113 -- No. 2 Trey Aslanian (Edgemont), No. 3. Dylan Realbuto (Somers), No. 8 Alex de la Cruz (Ossining).120 -- No. 15 Ben Ettlinger (Fox Lane).126 -- No. 5 Sam Speno (Fox Lane), No. 7 Drew Longo (Ardsley).132 -- No. 2 Danny Ventura (Fox Lane).138 -- No. 12 Tommy Grippi (Fox Lane).152 -- No. 1 Brian Realbuto (Somers).160 -- No. 3 Matt Pasqualini (Fox Lane).170 -- No. 7 Aaron Butler (New Rochelle).182 -- No. 4 Jacob Berkowitz (Scarsdale), Jonathan Stokes (New Rochelle).220 -- No. 5 Tyler Lilly (New Rochelle), No. 7 Dom DeVita (Somers), No. 8 Danny Clune (Fox Lane).

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