Article by Phoenix writer Griffin Strauss ’25:
On Saturday, December 7, 26 Firebird wrestlers competed in the prestigious Varsity Battle at the Beach Tournament in Long Beach.
Senior Elijah “Conquering” Carrington dominated his weight class pinning the second ranked wrestler in Nassau County and beating the fifth ranked wrestler in the state to win the 138-pound bracket. Senior “Juggernaut” Jonathan Hoffman pinned all his opponents and tech falled his opponent in the finals to claim his second Battle at the Beach title in the 172-pound bracket.
Senior “Jackhammer” Jack Barkley placed second in the 160-pound bracket, and Seniors “Lethal” Luke Chernaski and Joe Estrella and Sophomore Hunter Miller all placed third in their respective weight-classes. Freshmen Brendan Barkley and Alexander Winter-Lipari both picked up multiple wins for their varsity debuts at the tournament.
Jonathan Hoffman said, “I am very proud of how much work has been put in by each of the boys. They all contributed to the team’s win. I hope we keep supporting each other, and as long as we keep up the good work and pray hard we have a really good shot at winning states this year.”
The team came in first in the whole tournament, beating Long Beach which is ranked ninth in the state and Oceanside.
The wrestling team will compete again on December 14 at the Wantagh Tournament.
