STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The David Ironman Invitational will celebrate its 40th year Saturday, when one of the top high school wrestling events will be staged at Monsignor Farrell.

This tournament debuted in January of 1986 and is the longest running tournament in New York City, according to Farrell head coach Peter Hamm.

“The tournament is usually filled with talent and many individual bouts having postseason implications,” said Hamm. “The tournament was started by David Ironman, the longtime coach and architect of the Farrell wrestling program.”

The tourney was originally called the Farrell invitational (the tournament was renamed the David Ironman Invitational in 2005). This year’s tournament will have 12 teams as the CHSAA, PSAL, NYSAIS and Section 1 will be well represented.

The defending David Ironman Invitational champ is the host team. The Lions have won the Ironman in back-to-back years.

Other local Island teams include St. Joseph by-the-Sea, St. Peter’s, Curtis and Petrides. Section 1 will include Horace Greeley, Carmel and Eastchester.

In addition to the Island teams, New Utrecht of Brooklyn will represent the PSAL. The private schools (NYSAIS) will send Collegiate and Long Island Lutheran. Xavier from Manhattan rounds out the CHSAA.

The tournament is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. with the finals taking place around 6 p.m.

“It looks like there will be over 200 wrestlers with five mats going all at the same time, making it one of the largest tournaments in the five boroughs,” said Hamm.

Let’s talk about the food.

The Oakwood school puts out quite a spread that is of restaurant quality. “The moms and dads and some alumni prepare a wide array of dishes,” said Hamm. “Expect to see meatballs, seafood salad, sausage and peppers and much more. It has an old-school feel with recipes that are not shared. Both referees and coaches look forward to the delightful menu.”

Individuals to watch

The Lions, who were ranked in the top 10 in the state, have several grapplers who should contend. Kaiden Noia (103 pounds), Jake Censi (118), Brennan Sprague (126), Albert Lula (132), Quinn Hunt (165), John Bonura (175) and AJ Lombardi (285) should all be in the mix.

Sea has a few studs that should be in the hunt as well like River Timbreza (103), Justin Stassi (190) and Steve Caruso (150).

Nathon Jacoby (110) of Collegiate won the Ironman in 2025. Horace Greeley teammates Nick Debellis (157) is 12-0 and Chris Nocca (165) is a state-ranked wrestler and returning Section winner.

Sardorbek Salohitdinov from New Utrecht is 11-0 at 126 pounds. Petrides’ Marco Michelli at 150 should turn some heads. Luis Gonzales Jr. of Curtis is putting together a nice season at 165, sitting at 12-1.

Thomas O’leary of Eastchester is 9-3 at 175 pounds. Long Island Lutheran has three solid wrestlers in Josh Nnorom at 157, Javaugh Carr at 165 (1st at Herricks Tourney) and Nolan Broderick at 215. The latter placed at the Ironman last year. St. Peter’s Sean Foley at 118 should get some attention.