Caneparo leads Nanuet past Sleepy Hollow

Caneparo leads Nanuet past Sleepy Hollow
By Tony Pinciaro
The Journal News

SLEEPY HOLLOW -Since Greg Caneparo earned a varsity spot, the eighth-grader and starting 119-pounder has been a solid contributor.

Nanuet coach Brenden Rogers knows that when Caneparo takes the mat, the eighth-grader is always going to give him a good effort, usually resulting in a win.

Entering yesterday's match with Sleepy Hollow, Caneparo was not in his usual spot. Instead, he was wrestling up a weight class, at 125 pounds.

"My weight was over so that's something I have to bring down," said Caneparo, sporting a Vince Young white Tennessee Titans' jersey.

The step up in weight meant Caneparo would be facing one of Sleepy Hollow's finest wrestlers in freshman David Martinez. Caneparo knew nothing about him or his lineage until after the match.

Caneparo staged a furious third-period rally to overtake Martinez and fuel Nanuet to a 43-18 win in a matchup of two perennial Section 1 Division II powers.

"I had no clue who I was wrestling," Caneparo said. "I didn't know who he was until after my match. Richie (Berkowitz) told me it was Martinez. Then I realized it was his older brother who always beat my older brother."

Caneparo was referring to older brother, Dave, who witnessed the victory, and four-time sectional titlist, Mike Martinez.

Caneparo scored nine consecutive points over the final 50 seconds to shock David Martinez, 9-4.

It all began with an escape. Following that, Caneparo, who had been unsuccessful in earlier attempts, grabbed a headlock and whipped Martinez to his back. He received three near-fall points, then Martinez appeared to extricate himself from the hold, when Caneparo flipped him back over and held him three for a five count and three additional points.

"That made me feel that I still had something left in me and I could go from there," said Caneparo of the escape. "Once I had him on his back I didn't want to get turned and I didn't want to let him get out."

Senior 140-pounder Chris Marchese did not hesitate when it came to identifying the turning point of the match.

"That was a huge win for him coming against a really good wrestler," said Marchese, a 10-4 winner over Ron Bucci. "Team-wise, that really picked up the momentum for us and made us even more ready to wrestle."

Nanuet won four of the next five matches to grab a commanding 37-12 lead.

Marchese was impressive in his match, using a second-period take down and cradle, escalating his lead to 8-2. Three of Marchese's takedowns were off counters.

Marchese credited his practice partner, Xavier Maldonado with helping him. Marchese also noted the extra work in practice the previous two days with Rogers having Nanuet concentrate on the offensive position.

"I can get in on shot with X, but he always doing that crazy roll to get out," Marchese said. "Coach (Rogers) stressed pressure and keeping them down, flat on the mat. He said from his base, a wrestler has a lot of moves, but from his stomach he can't do much."

Sleepy Hollow received falls from Jean Patino (130 pounds) and Chris Lopez (103), and decisions from Dennis Bencosme (160) and Connor Tompkins (189).

Sleepy Hollow coach Brian Tompkins, who cited Nanuet for being a solid team, was preparing for his post-match meeting.

"We all have to work harder and that starts in the wrestling room upstairs," said Tompkins, after helping secure the mat pieces in the supply closet. "We're young and with that we're going to make young mistakes."

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