Teemer repeats as state champion

A year after becoming the first Nassau County eighth-grader ever to win a New York state high school wrestling championship, Long Beach’s Jacori Teemer made history again last Saturday night at the Times Union Center in Albany.

Teemer edged Jake Silverstein of Hauppauge, 4-3, in an  ultimate rideout tiebreaker to capture the 106-pound state title before a packed crowd of 5,500. It was the 100th career victory for Teemer, who became the first Long Islander to win state titles in both eighth and ninth grades in the 40 years that middle school students have been allowed to participate in varsity wrestling.

“It was the fourth time I’ve wrestled Silverstein,” said Teemer, who went 40-2 this season after capturing the state crown at 99 pounds last winter. “Every match has been really close.” 

In January, Teemer beat Silverstein at the Eastern States Tournament. They were knotted at 2-2 after nine minutes of regulation last Saturday night, and tied again at 3-3 following two minutes of overtime. In an ultimate rideout period, which determines a winner after 30 seconds, Teemer chose bottom and earned the victory when Silverstein was called for a stalling violation.

“I put a lot more pressure on myself this season,” Teemer said. “It was a great feeling to win, and a relief at the same time. I’m glad all my hard work paid off.”

Teemer, the No. 1 seed in his weight class, cruised into the finals despite suffering what Long Beach coach Ray Adams described as a significant right elbow injury during a 16-6 quarterfinal-round victory over Randy Earl, of John Jay East Fishkill (Section I), last Friday afternoon. “I was concerned,” Adams said. “Jacori’s tough. He fought through it.

“Jacori’s such a hardworking kid, and I’m really proud of him,” Adams added. “He’s a special talent. He’s accomplished some incredible things at a young age.”

Teemer’s two other victories in the state tournament were second-period pins. In his first bout, he defeated Jacob Ruggeri, of Fairport (Section V), in 3:52. In the semifinals, Teemer opened up an 11-3 lead before pinning Tommy Cox, of Deer Park, in 4:50.

“Jacori is wise beyond his years,” Adams said. “He’s a very bright kid and a very smart wrestler. It was really nice to see things culminate the way they did.”