Massapequa Hosts 3rd Annual "Friday Night Lights Takedown Tournament"

Massapequa High School recently hosted the 3rd Annual "Friday Night Lights Takedown Tournament". The event was originally scheduled to take place at Burns Park as it did during the first two years, but inclement weather forced the festivities to be moved inside to Massapequa High School.

The tournament was open for registration to multiple age groups who were then categorized into eight different classes, ranging from Novice and Cadets to Seniors and Masters. In all, wrestlers ranged from five years old to upwards of 50 years old.

Danny Wetzel, one of the tournament directors, is one of many parents and individuals involved that make such events possible, and even furthermore, make them such a large attraction to the surrounding wrestling community.

“We’ve had All-County, All-State and All-American guys compete here, making it very stiff competition with the kids from all over the Northeast,” said Wetzel. “We probably have over 200 kids enrolled in USA Wrestling here, which is one of the largest clubs in the country. Our idea is to hook them into the sport early and let them have fun doing it.”

Wrestling clubs from around the country met at MHS to compete in the event that displays the fun, supportive side of the sport while also showcasing top talent. Some local participants in 2011 were the Massapequa Wrestling Club and Youth Club, Razor Wrestling Club of Commack amongst other Long Island areas, Ascend Wrestling Club of Hicksville, Rocky Point Wrestling Club, Long Beach Wrestling Club and Danbury (CT) Wrestling Club.

The Friends of Massapequa Wrestling Club, who donates the registration fees to support charity and yearly functions of the organization, is proudly responsible for putting the tournament together. Each year, the club uses funds raised to provide up-to-date equipment and mats, pay for travel expenses to high school tournaments and provide necessary funding for wrestlers competing in National tournaments.

The funds raised also goes to the Gary Mims Scholarship Fund, given to a graduating MHS senior wrestler who consistently displayed qualities of a team leader and role model, along with excelling in academics.

Massapequa represented about 25-30 different wrestlers in a field of roughly 400 total. Current or recently graduated Massapequa High School wrestlers entered into the tournament included individuals such as Conor Wetzel, Pat Miller, Jake Spero, Andrew Chicoine and Rob Zupo.

“We want wrestlers from Massapequa to come back so they are never out of the fold because they are wrestlers for life,” Wetzel added. “They can always contribute in any way no matter what.”