STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Monsignor Farrell is picking up on the mats where it left off last season.
The Lions, who won more than a half a dozen events last season, rolled to the Staten Island Duals crown last weekend at Tottenville High School by going an impressive 9-0.
Taking second was host Tottenville which went 8-1 with its sole loss coming at the hands of the Lions by a score of 39-29. St Joseph by-the-Sea placed third with a 7-2 record, losing only to Farrell and Tottenville.
The Staten Island Duals event has become a staple in early December for over 20 years. The two-day tournament showcases most teams from the Island and several from the city. This year the tournament saw teams from Brooklyn and the Bronx. Both the PSAL and CHSAA sections were well represented in the 19-team event with some schools registering multiple teams.
The Lions were led by Joe DiMaria (157 pounds), who was 9-0 with eight pins. He also took home the award for most pins in the least amount of time with eight pins in 14 minutes, 43 seconds.
Farrell’s Jake Censi went unbeaten in his weight class. (Photo courtesy of Peter Hamm)Peter Hamm
Also contributing in a big way for the Lions were Jake Censi (118, 9-0), Rich Purpura (138, 8-1), Alan Biktyakov (144, 8-1), Sebastian Georges (150, 8-1), Misha Belyakov (165, 8-1), Rocco Musso (190 8-1), and Eddie Monahan (132, 7-2).
“We were tough in the middle the whole weekend,” said Farrell coach Peter Hamm.
Tottenville’s Tristan Levin, right, was voted the Most Valuable Wrestler at the 2025 Staten Island Duals. (Photo courtesy of John Cichon)John Cichon
Tottenville, led by Coach John Cichon, was led by state level wrestler Tristan Levin (132, 9-0), who took home the Most Valuable Wrestler award in the tournament. Additional Pirate standouts Robert Mcglynn (103), Craig Monda (110) and David Khodzhaev (150).
Sea was led by senior Justin Stassi (190, 9-0), River Timbreza (103, 9-0) and Noah Ocasio (7-2), who registered a huge pin over one of the PSAL’s top grapplers in the weight class.
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NOTES: There were over 75 dual meets completed over the two-day event … More than 250 athletes competed, making it one of the largest events in NYC. Head-to-head matchups have meaning later in the season as many of the bouts will have seeding implications and postseason ramifications. “Many of these matchups will happen again later in the season at the Port Richmond Tournament on Dec. 20th and at the Donald Douglas Memorial Tournament (overall city championship) on Jan. 17-18,” said Hamm.