The Newburgh Free Academy Goldbacks entered the meet shorthanded, missing several key wrestlers, but it was more than enough for them to pull out a 56-13 win over the Washingtonville Wizards on Dec. 17 in a non-league wrestling match at Washingtonville High School.

“They worked hard,” Newburgh coach Will Parks said. “We had a couple of guys out of the lineup today, so we were asking some people to step up and bump up. The guys that did wrestled real tough and picked up some wins. Even in the losses, it was some good wrestling.”

The Goldbacks were missing Chris Leggett, who had been wrestling at 215 pounds so far, this season, which caused some bumping up in the lineup.

That sent Mjay Smith into his spot, where he was beaten by Washingtonville’s Jacob DeJesus.

“He lost, but he went out there and took down a returning state qualifier,” Parks said. “That was cool to see.”
Liam Ehlers was also missing at 170 pounds, causing more lineup shuffles.

That caused Austin Van Dalinda to bump to 160 pounds, where he defeated Delonte Blackford by technical fall, while Mateo Morrell, who normally wrestles at 160 pounds, went up to 170 to pin Erik Lubniewski.

“We got a young guy at 152 that bumped up to 160 for us today,” Parks said. “Austin Van Dalinda went out there and got a pin as a freshman. We always like to see young guys come out from the modified program, entering the varsity lineup at a young age.”

William Coughlin wrestled in his normal spot at 190 pounds and put on a strong showing as he defeated all-section wrestler Zein Badway, 22-8.

“Billy really worked hard in the offseason, and we are starting to see some of that effort pay off in his wrestling,” Parks said.

Coughlin’s win gave the Goldbacks a 15-8 lead and the Wizards and Goldbacks traded pins at 215 pounds and 285 pounds, giving the Goldbacks a 21-13 lead when the lineup turned over to 101 pounds.

Three straight forfeits gave the Goldbacks 39-13 and firm control of the match.

Cooper Merli won by technical fall at 124 pounds while Jordan Busby (131) and Matthew Mercado (138) finished the night off with pinfall victories.

The Goldbacks finished the week with a 67-4 road win over the Kingston Tigers before heading into the winter break with a 9-0 record. They will compete in the Mid-Hudson Tournament at Arlington High School over the holiday recess.

That should give wrestlers time to recover.

“We’re hoping a with a little bit of a break other than some practicing, kids will be getting healthier not having to go to school,” Parks said. “Being able to relax at home, hopefully the whole team will be healthy and good for that tournament. And then, we’re looking forward to a great season.”

Newburgh 56, Washingtonville 13
145: Jude Goldberg (W) def. Alexander Silva, 12-6.
152: Mason Ketcham (W) tech. fall Yoniel Brito, 17-1.

160: Austin Van Dalinda (NFA) tech. fall Delonte Beckford, 15-0.
170: Mateo Morell (NFA) pinned Erik Lubniewski, 1:04.
190: William Coughlin def. Zein Badway, 22-8.
215: Jacob Dejesus (W)pinned Mjay Smith, 1:16
285: Anthony Weston (NFA) pinned Christian Bernazar, 1:57
101: Justin Yozzo (NFA) won by forfeit
108: Cody Washburn (NFA) won by forfeit
116: William Soto (NFA) won by forfeit
124: Cooper Merli (NFA) tech. fall Gianni Gennaro, 18-2
131: Jordan Busby (NFA) pinned Kayla Rosa-Cesani, 1:32
138: Matthew Mercado (NFA) pinned Kevin Bernazar, 0:29
W unsportsmanlike conduct -1

Newburgh 67, Kingston 4
101: Cody Washburn (NFA) won by forfeit.
108: William Soto (NFA) pinned Logan Shultis,1:09

116: Weston Kubin (NFA) won by forfeit.
124: Jordan Busby (NFA) won by forfeit.
131: Cooper Merli (NFA) pinned Anthony Alo-Boyle, 1:03
138: Matthew Mercado (NFA) tech. fall Carson Derrick, 18-3
145: Alexander Silva (NFA) def. Grey Boyd, 21-12
152: Yoniel Brito (NFA) pinned K`vion Becker, 3:35
160: Mateo Morell (NFA) pinned Colton Parese, 0:54
170: Liam Ehlers (NFA) pinned Daniel Lema, 2:45.
190: William Coughlin (NFA) def. Isaac Aguilar, 14-0
215: Romeo Lemus (K) def. Jahleel Wilson,12-0
285: Anthony Weston (NFA) pinned Noah Ricci, 2:28