Nanuet's Ramundo debuts in style

Nanuet's Ramundo debuts in style
By Tony Pinciaro
The Journal News

NANUET - Steven Ramundo had been waiting patiently for his first varsity match.

After wrestling on the junior varsity last season, the sophomore opened the current season on JV once again. His varsity path was obstructed by junior three-year starter and 171-pounder Sal Arena.

Determined to get his chance, Ramundo won both the Hopatcong (N.J.) and Horace Greeley junior-varsity tournaments earlier this season. His success caught Nanuet coach Brenden Rogers' eye.

With Arena sidelined because of an injury, Rogers called on Ramundo in a pressure situation yesterday against Nyack. The winner of the 171-pound bout between Ramundo and Anthony Karam would decide the dual match.

Ramundo rewarded his coach and team's confidence with a pin, giving Nanuet a 39-32 victory in its home opener.

Ramundo was leading 12-2 in the second period when he countered Karam's shot, secured underhooks, put him to his back and finished Karam at 3:10.

"I was really nervous from the start of the match," Ramundo said. "I knew all the pressure was going to be on me and that I'd have to go out and win."

Ramundo scored two takedowns in the first period, then seized control of the match. He ran a power half, turning Karam to his back for three near-fall points.

"That just gave me the confidence to keep going and made me know that I was going to win the match," Ramundo said.

Prior to his taking the mat, Rogers gave Ramundo sage advice.

"I told him, 'You win and we win,' " Rogers said with a smile. "Steven had an opportunity to show what he can do on the varsity level, and he came through tonight."

Ramundo credited his workout partners - 189-pounder Dan Cohen, 215-pounder Bill Smith and 275-pounder Max Nau - for helping him get stronger and tougher.

Smith realized early in preseason that Ramundo needed a change in groups.

"We go in four-man groups, and in the beginning of the year, he was wrestling with the smaller guys," Smith said. "We thought he'd be better off working out with us.

"He's been working a lot harder, and he's gotten better. His technique has gotten better, and he's keeping his hips lower. I was confident in him, and he got the job done."

Nanuet and Ramundo were in this position because of a late Nyack run.

Pins by eighth-grader Greg Caneparo (119 pounds), Matt Gonos (130) and Rich Berkowitz (135) gave Nanuet a 33-12 advantage with five bouts remaining. However, Nyack answered with four consecutive wins -pins by Ilias Vadud (145) and Zeke Stambovsky (160) and major decisions by Billy Sullivan (140) and Sal Marchese (152).

"Some of our younger guys, like Nick (Campbell) and Ilias (Vadud), performed well, putting us back in it and giving us a shot at the end," Nyack coach Vic Myers said. "All of the guys wrestled real well and showed a lot of heart."

Reach Tony Pinciaro at apinciar@lohud.com or 914-696-8234.

Nanuet 39, Nyack 32
At Nanuet
189 2 Dan Cohen (N) won by forfeit; 215 2 Bill Smith (N) dec. Darren Stach, 5-3; 96 2 Zach Dittrich (Nk) dec. Chris Klass, 7-2; 103 2 Justin Okamoto (Nk) dec. Jesse Rahimzadeh, 10-3; 112 2 Kevin Chee (N) pin. Joe Kelper, 1:16; 119 2 Greg Caneparo (N) pin. Vinny Accardi, 1:56; 125 2 Nick Campbell (NK) pin. John Morato, 5:12; 130 2 Matt Gonos (N) pin. Rob Blum, 2:47; 135 2 Rich Berkowitz (N) pin. Udit Thakur, 1:35; 140 2 Billy Sullivan (Nk) maj. dec. Chris Marchese, 14-0; 145 2 Ilias Vadud (Nk) pin. Jansie Paulino, 1:27; 152 2 Sal Marchese (Nk) maj. dec. Frank Zambrano, 13-3; 160 2 Zeke Stambovsky (Nk) pin. Nick Mertens, 1:03; 171 2Steven Ramundo (N) pin. Anthony Karam, 3:10.
Records 2 Nanuet 1-1; Nyack 1-4