Wantagh produces four county champs

The Wantagh wrestling program will have a big presence at the New York State Championships.
The Warriors produced four champions and two other top three finishers in the Nassau County Division I individual championships on Super Bowl Sunday at Nassau Community College to qualify six wrestlers for the state stage in Albany this weekend. The six headed to states is second in program history only to the 2018 team, which sent seven.
“This is a really special team and most of it is back next year,” said 11th-year Wantagh head coach Paul Gillespie. “This is one of the best teams I think I have ever had at Wantagh.”
Senior Ben Rogers captured his second county title against Massapequa’s Alex Giuliani in the 152-pound finals to head to states for a second time. Rogers, who received All-State accolades as a sophomore with a sixth place showing at 138, will look to cap his career with a state title when he competes at the MVP Arena this weekend against in a challenging weight class much like his older brother Matt accomplished in 2020. 
“He has been working so hard to get himself better,” Gillespie said of Rogers. “I really hope it works out for him and he can win it just like his brother a couple of years ago.” 

Sophomore Joseph Clem captured his first county title at 118 pounds with a 3-1 win against Calhoun’s Ray Adams. He will head to states for the second time after qualifying two years ago as an eighth grader when he was runner-up at counties at 99 pounds. 
“Joe I think could be a state champion this year,” Gillespie said. “He is one tough dude.” 
Junior Ryan Arbeit also reached the top of the podium with a 6-4 victory over Hewlett’s Ariel Waldman in the 126-pound finals. Arbeit advanced to the championship match after a 13-11 overtime win against Luke Nieto of Plainedge in the semifinals. 
Noah Corwin also won a county crown as a junior at 172 pounds with a 6-2 triumph versus Plainedge’s Travis Shaver. He pinned Masspequa’s Anthony DiGennaro in the semis. 
Anthony Clem, a twin brother of Joseph, will also head upstate after placing third at 110 pounds. He pinned Aidan Bebber Manhasset 2:43 into the third place match.
Junior Thomas Banasera earned a spot at states with a pin of Valley Stream North’s Michael Munson. 
Gillespie said all six competing in Albany could earn All State honors with Rogers and Joseph Klem having the best chance to reach the top of the podium. 
“I think all our guys could make All-State,” Gillespie said. “They are all psyched up and are focused on getting upstate and doing something.” 
Senior Luke Janosko earned All-County honors with a fourth place finish at 160. Sophomore Jesse Vanorden also reached the podium with a fifth place showing at 145.
Wantagh captured the points at the counties with 240, 26.5 ahead of second place Massapequa. It marked the first time since 2018 Wantagh finished on top as a team in the individual county championships.