Four county champs for Clarke

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Five seasons spent racking up accolades honoring his unprecedented mastery on the mat have given Clarke wrestling star Jordan Soriano enough feathers in his cap to fill a mattress. But one piece of plumage has thus far eluded the two-time All-State, three-time reigning Nassau County-champion senior – a state individual title.

Along with five fellow qualifiers from Clarke, Soriano – dubbed “the best wrestler ever at Clarke” by 19-year Rams coach Mike Leonard – aims to finally secure the big prize at Albany Feb. 25-26 at the New York State Wrestling Individual Championships.

Capping a hectic season which saw the Rams’ ranks reduced by COVID, the Nassau County Division 2 Wrestling Tournament at Cold Spring Harbor Feb. 12-13 produced four county champions and two runners-up from Clarke – with all six Rams earning entry to Albany’s MVP Arena this upcoming weekend to compete in the state championship tournament.

“It’s a good team, did very well at county” said Leonard, whose club placed fourth in team overall score at the Nassau tournament. “We lacked numbers, but still finished well with only 14 kids.”

Including Soriano’s win in the 138-pound final – his third county title after winning at 126 in 2020, and at 106 in 2018 (he was injured in 2019; no Nassau tournament was held last season) – Clarke got first place finishes at county from seventh-grader William Grassini (102 pounds), junior Jack Forte (160), and Jordan’s junior brother Justin Soriano (189), the latter three wrestlers each claiming a first Nassau title.

“Jordan doesn’t just win, he dominates,” Leonard said of the Drexel University-bound team captain. “Between him and his brother, they’re the two hardest workers in the room, no matter what room. William moved up from JV because he kept getting better. Jack hit the weights and got a lot bigger. They’ve now won a chance to go upstate.”

Clarke senior John Bower (145) and freshman teammate Justin Gonzalez (152) each took second at county, losing in the finals. Bower, due to his bracket placement, was made to return to the mat after awards ceremonies to wrestle for “true second,” and earned his ticket to Albany pinning Island Trees senior John Najdek in the late match. “It says a lot that John could turn around 45 minutes later and beat a tough competitor,” Leonard said. “Justin’s another young, tough kid, a really good grappler.”

Leading the Rams at a combined 46-2 this season, the Soriano brothers own but a single loss apiece, with Jordan (27-1, 24 pins) sweeping first place in four tournaments for Clarke, including Battle at the Beach at Long Beach Dec. 4, and the Spring Gardner Tournament at Bellmore JFK Dec. 11, both of which saw the elder Soriano, wrestling at 145 pounds, being named Most Outstanding Wrestler, while Justin (19-1) has won three tournaments at his regular 189.

“This is a top-five season for me, but I can’t really rate it until after state,” Leonard said. “We’re hoping for four All-States, maybe two state champs.” He added: “And really, it could be anybody.”