Every April, well after all the matches have been wrestled and league, county and state champions have been crowned, the wrestling community gathers for the annual Suffolk County wrestling awards dinner. The event is held to honor the accomplishments of Section XI wrestlers throughout the season. Numerous awards are presented to those who excel in the county and state tournaments. One tradition at this event is the release of the updated Section XI Century Club. The Century Club lists every wrestler in Suffolk County history who has earned 100 or more career victories.
This year’s list will see a strong Sachem presence, as multiple Sachem wrestlers will be joining the club.
Sachem East will most likely have four representatives on this year’s list. Three Sachem East Wrestlers have already eclipsed the 100-win mark, and one is just five wins away.
Senior Captain Anthony Messina (126 pounds) earned his 100th career victory against Pat-Med on Dec. 18. Messina is defending League I Champion and is having a strong season. He currently has 121 wins and will be looking to add to that total in the upcoming post-season tournaments.
Just behind Messina is junior Captain Jakob Restrepo (145 pounds), who earned his 100th victory against rival Brentwood on Jan. 14 and currently has 107 wins. Restrepo is a returning League I Champ and All-County. He has been hitting on all cylinders so far this season, his record currently stands at 32-0, and he earned outstanding wrestler at the prestigious Eastern States. He battled his way to the title at the Eastern States by defeating two nationally ranked opponents.
Also joining the century club is Senior Captain Mark Tracy (182 pounds). Tracy is a tremendous leader for the team and currently has 106 victories. A returning League Champ and All-County wrestler, he earned his 100th victory with a pin against William Floyd on Jan. 15.
Tracy’s training partner Senior Captain Mike Pistone (170 pounds) currently sits at 95 career wins and will be looking to break into the century club at this year’s Section XI tournament.
Sachem East Wrestling All-Time Wins: (current team members in bold)
- Conor O’Hara 2013 – 152
- Sean O’Malley 2011 – 140
- Dan O’Malley 2009 & Anthony Messina 2014 – 121
- Jackson Mordente 2013 – 109
- Chris Di Iorio 2010 – 108
- Billy Merone 2012 & Jakob Restrepo 2015 – 107
- Mark Tracy 2014 – 106
- Matt Ferber 2006 – 105
- Mike Pistone 2014 – 95
- 10. Paul Di Iorio 2008 – 87