Wrestling: At 61, longtime Rockland coach John Laurenzi wins a national title on the mat

During wrestling season, you can catch John Laurenzi running the Rockland County championships or assisting with the Section 1 tournament.

You may also find the Section 1 wrestling hall of famer and former Clarkstown South coach training wrestlers of all ages at the Rockland International Wrestling Academy, or serving his role as the co-president of the New York Athletic Club wrestling club.

While he's donned many hats over the years, at the age of 61 – 62, in June – Laurenzi was pleased to know he's still got it on the mat.

"Every once in a while, we like to throw our name in the hat and go have some fun, too," the longtime coach said. "It's also good to let the kids see you compete and let them know coaches don't want to hear certain people complain about things and that we can still do this later in on our years. How you approach things, what your mindset is usually determines the level of success you have. You got to be all-in. If the kids see you lead by example, it adds to your credibility as a coach and it can help these kids fulfill their potential."

Laurenzi won the U.S. Open Greco-Roman national title and finished as runner-up in freestyle nationals while competing in the Masters Over-60 Division at last week's U.S. Open Wrestling National Championships in Las Vegas.

"I consider myself blessed to be able to do this at this stage in my life," Laurenzi said. "Wrestling has been a big part of my life since I was an early teen, and to be able to say that I've done it this long is nothing short of a blessing."

Laurenzi didn't give up a single point to his opponents on his way to the crown in the U.S. Open Masters Greco-Roman tournament, and he won by pin in his final match on Wednesday.

He didn't get to relish in his gold medal for long. The next day marked the start of the U.S. Open Masters freestyle tournament. The two-day event took place over the course of Thursday and Friday.

Laurenzi earned the silver medal, after finishing as runner-up to Don Jones of North Carolina.

"As far as taking second, I want my athletes and everybody to know taking a loss is part of playing the game and part of the process," Laurenzi said. "Now that I'm home, a little bit of the sting of that loss is gone and I can reflect and say a gold and silver medal in the U.S. Open isn't too shabby."

He competed at the 70-kilogram (154.3 pounds) weight class, but Laurenzi notes he weighed in approximately six pounds under-weight.

"I walked around campus at Cortland State at 148 pounds in 1981," Laurenzi said, laughing.

Before last week, Laurenzi's last taste of first-hand competition came in October 2017 when he competed in the Wrestling Veterans World Championships in Bulgaria.

After encouraging two wrestlers in his class to enter this year's U.S. Open, they turned the tables and got him to sign up as well.

"After they signed up, they said, 'Coach, you gotta come with us,' and I had an oh-no moment," Laurenzi said. "I said to myself, I'm in shape and it gave me a chance to dial into my own training and focus on myself for a little while, and I'd say it worked out pretty well.

"You can't go into this like it's some recreational tournament. Guys at the U.S. Open are legitimate. There were guys competing in this tournament in their 70s, who looked like they could still be in their 40s. It's great to see people healthy enough to do this sport at that stage and gives you an idea of the healthy lifestyle they continue to live."

Laurenzi caught a red-eye flight back home after his tournament, as he hustled to a youth wrestling tournament in Rockland.

His focus is back on coaching and training. He's currently assisting Nigerian wrestler Odunayo Adekuoroye, a four-time world medalist and three-time Olympian, prepare for the 2024 Olympics.

He's looking forward to making the trip to Paris for the Summer Games, and working with wrestlers of all ages in the meantime.

Although Laurenzi has returned into coaching mode, he's not closing the door on future tournaments just yet.

"My main priority is to be an effective coach and staying on the mat is a big part of that, doesn't mean I have to compete but it also means in the back of my mind there will always be that thought that I have one more tournament left in me," Laurenzi said. "God willing, if I stay healthy and injury-free, there could be another Masters Division tournament."

Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: John Laurenzi: Longtime NY wrestling coach wins U.S. Open title