Meet the 2024 Section 1 Division II high school wrestling champions
After an action-filled 2024 Section 1 championship weekend, find out more about the 13 Division II champions who will represent the section at the state championships in Albany.
They discussed their title-winning achievement, as well as life on and off the mat.
101 pounds: Kelvin Jimenez, Sleepy Hollow
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? Words can't describe this moment. I'm still trying to process it in my mind. All thanks and glory to God, wouldn't be here with God and my coaches.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: You're definitely going to go through your ups and downs, but you can never give up.
Hobbies: I don't have any other hobbies besides wrestling, to be honest.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Football.
First meal once wrestling is over: Anything I can find to eat.
If you could have a walk-out song: Definitely a 50 Cent song, not sure which one.
108 pounds: Dorian Hidalgo, Sleepy Hollow
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? It's a lot of things, but it's a great feeling.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: No one cares, work harder.
Hobbies: Eating, playing video games and going to practice for wrestling.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Football.
First meal once wrestling is over: A Big Mac at McDonald's.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen
116 pounds: Jesse Straus, Pleasantville
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? I had everyone in my corner, my family, my friends, my girlfriend, everyone here supporting me — and it just means the world to me to get this done. Next step is placing at states. I still got two more years of wrestling, so just got to get better from here.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Never give up. You can always come back and win.
Hobbies: I love sports, but definitely love flipping and doing backflips. Gymnastics is my thing.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Gymnastics or football.
First meal once wrestling is over: Steak, green beans, mashed potatoes and a salad on the side.
If you could have a walk-out song: "My Eyes" by Travis Scott
124 pounds: Silas Corveddu, Sleepy Hollow
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? It means I'm in the right direction. I'm headed the right way, but I gotta keep going and this is just the start. I was coached really well, and I had a lot of great teammates and opponents to help me out.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Mental toughness, how to persevere through the toughest things in my life.
Hobbies: I like to play lacrosse, and I like to paint.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Lacrosse.
First meal once wrestling is over: McDonald's. Get some chicken nuggets and drizzle it with honey mustard.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne
131 pounds: Esuar Ordonez, Putnam Valley
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? It's my senior year, I've been working for this for five years now. I've been on varsity since eighth-grade, so it means a lot to go back-to-back. It's a little surreal, because this is the last sectional tournament I'll go to and the last time with these guys at a big tournament.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Always work hard.
Hobbies: Video games, particularly Rocket League, Minecraft, and Fortnite with my friends. It's a new season.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Soccer
First meal once wrestling is over: A chicken sandwich from McDonald's or Chick Fil A, doesn't matter, I just like chicken sandwiches.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Obsesión" by Aventura
138 pounds: Ethan Badillo, Nanuet
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? This is good, but I just want to place at states. States is my main focus right now. I thought of this tournament as more of a warm up.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: What you put in is what you get out.
Hobbies: Just the gym.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Lacrosse.
First meal once wrestling is over: Bone-in wings from Buffalo Wild Wings
If you could have a walk-out song: "My Humps" by the Black Eyed Peas
145 pounds: Rafael Rodriguez, Sleepy Hollow
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? My uncle came close, my father came close, so it means a lot for me to win it, but I can't give the thanks to anyone else other than my Lord, Jesus Christ. He's the one that gave me strength and why I'm going to states.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Don't let anything get to you and give it everything you've got.
Hobbies: Baseball and soccer.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Baseball.
First meal once wrestling is over: My mom told me after I win, she'll make me five cheesecakes, so that's what it's going to be.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Till I Collapse" by Eminem or "Something to Prove" by Lil Baby
152 pounds: Henry Martin, Croton-Harmon
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? It means a lot, it's a big stepping stone. My first year, freshman year, I got fifth and first-place seemed so far away. I'd see the guys who win, and I'd think, 'How can I ever get that good?' So I committed myself to wrestle year-round. Next year, sophomore season, I came in second, lost in the finals to Aidan Veirun, a good wrestler. It showed things were getting closer. Now, I'm here, and the goal is to win states. This is a stepping stone and I'm excited to see what's left in my career.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Hard work pays off. Be accountable, work hard, and you'll see the results on the mat.
Hobbies: I enjoy hiking, listening to music and I enjoy skiing.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Football.
First meal once wrestling is over: Definitely some chicken wings with my teammates and possibly some Chick Fil A.
If you could have a walk-out song: "SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake
160 pounds: Michael Malfitano, Pearl River
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? I would say the first one probably felt better because I was going up to Albany with a lot of teammates, so it was more exciting than this year's. Feels good though.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Always work hard.
Hobbies: A lot of video games and hanging out with my friends.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Basketball.
First meal once wrestling is over: A nice juicy, fat steak.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Nightcrawler" by Travis Scott
170 pounds: Mekhi Smithwick, Croton-Harmon
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? I'd always been getting the short end of the stick, getting second place. This year, I got second six times in every tournament. My coaches always told me, it's the last one that matters and I took that to heart at sectionals. I gave it my all to the very end. I stuck to it, and I listened to my coaches, and it got me the title win. Me having the coaches I have, I wouldn't be as far as I am without them.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: As a wrestler, not everybody outside of it understands this sport, they'll call it names or some other word, but this is the manliest stuff you can do. This is a sport where you've got to dominate your opponent without hurting them, and it's a grind.
Hobbies: I'm a tri-athlete, so I have football, baseball and wrestling, and I'm hoping to wrestle in college.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Baseball.
First meal once wrestling is over: Either chicken wings or McDonald's, or both, I'm not going to lie.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Leave Me Alone" by Fred Again and Baby Keem. Ever since my teammate, Henry Martin, showed it to me in the car, I've been rocking to it ever since.
190 pounds: Asa Nunberg, Pleasantville
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? Makes me so thankful for everyone who helped me get here: Coach Balducci Sr. on modified, then my sophomore year after COVID, Bob Bernarducci, Coach Esteves, Lenny Balducci Jr., Nick Paternostro, Nolan Egan — the number one feeling is just thankful for everyone who helped me get here.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Believe in yourself, no matter how hard it gets, you just have to keep going. When you feel defeated, the only thing that's defeating is giving up.
Hobbies: I like to lift, but the number one thing is spending time with people I love, my friends and family, creating memories.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Soccer.
First meal once wrestling is over: Definitely my favorite meal, a 25-piece traditional Buffalo Wild Wings.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Bad to the Bone" by George Thorogood & The Destroyers.
215 pounds: Thomas 'T.J.' Kellas, Sleepy Hollow
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? Just another stepping stone for states. Once I get to states, that's when it gets fun.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard.
Hobbies: Playing football with my friends or playing Fortnite.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Football.
First meal once wrestling is over: A Capri cookie. If you know, you know.
If you could have a walk-out song: "Get The Gat" by Lil Elt
285 pounds: Jaden Tesher, Putnam Valley
What does being Section 1 champ mean to you? It means a lot because last year, I came in second to Mason Dietz, so it's like a big step up for me to actually beat him this year. Didn't want to let the same thing happen as last year, so just wanted to do your best.
Most important lesson learned from wrestling: Don't underestimate anyone no matter how big or small they look, and everyone has their own personal challenges that they've gone through and mindset that they're working for.
Hobbies: I like to play video games or eat. I've been playing Rocket League and Fortnite a lot.
Favorite sport to play besides wrestling: Football.
First meal once wrestling is over: A bunch of crumble cookies.
If you could have a walk-out song: "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Meet the 2024 Section 1 Division II wrestling high school champions
