Jakob Restrepo nails down his second Suffolk League I title
Jakob Restrepo celebrates after winning in the finals of the Suffolk League I Wrestling Tournament at Sachem East on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Credit: Bob Sorensen
While he's in class, Jakob Restrepo is still wrestling. In his mind, that is.
"The biggest thing is mental preparation," the Sachem East junior said. "In school, during class sometimes, I'll be thinking of scenarios in my head. I've wrestled a thousand matches in my head. I get good grades, though, so it's all right."
For the past few weeks, Restrepo has envisioned winning his second league title. Saturday night in the Suffolk League I championship at Sachem East, it became a reality.
He improved to 35-0 this season, defeating teammate Austin Serra, 11-3, in the final at 145 pounds.
"It's the same plan regardless of who the opponent is," Restrepo said. "We're friends off the mat, but on the mat, the idea is to beat him up. I'm relentless."
Restrepo will now be thinking -- and likely daydreaming -- about his chances in the county tournament.
"Wrestling is my life and my goal is to now win county and state," Restrepo said. "When I step on the mat, I want to win every single match. Losing is not an option."
Restrepo was one of four Sachem East winners. Mike Pistone defeated Stephen Nunez from Brentwood, 5-3, at 170 pounds and Mark Tracy won a tight 3-0 match against Patchogue-Medford's Jake Horton at 182 pounds. Sean Dee pinned Brian Gerle of Floyd in 1:24 at 285 pounds. Sachem East finished first with 258.5 points. Patchogue-Medford was second (198) and Brentwood finished third (179.5).
It was a Patchogue-Medford wrestler, however, who won what was perhaps the most exciting final match of the day. To the chants of "Let's go, Luis!" from many in a packed crowd, Luis Maurad won, 1-0, in triple overtime against Brentwood's Umair Raees.
Patchogue-Medford was well represented from the beginning. Eighth-grader Chris Gomez started the tournament with a 4-0 victory over Brentwood's Jesse Telles at 99 pounds. In his first year at the varsity level, Gomez has taken the league by storm and it was hard to not notice his quickness and ability.
"Sometimes I'm actually a little intimidated but not so much today," said Gomez, who improved to 29-1. "But I had a feeling I'd win because I worked too hard not to."
Before Saturday, some would say Floyd's Devin Doran is a wrestler who has flown under the radar this season.
That's not the case at all anymore.
With the crowd abuzz, Doran battled through an early deficit and earned the 220-pound crown with a 4-2 win against Sachem East's Conner Farrell.
"This meant everything to me," Doran said. "This was exactly what I've been working so hard for all season. For this to happen in my senior year is just amazing for me."
