By Morgan E. Maier
Character and education are a pair sparring; the action of one side reflects success on the other. Amid a wrestling renaissance at New York Military Academy (NYMA), the school draws new attention to its storied reputation.
This winter, Coach Justin LoPresti (‘06) led NYMA to compete in the National Prep Wrestling Championships, held for the nation’s top preparatory schools at Lehigh University. The cadets powered NYMA to the only top-10 finish for New York State schools, once more showcasing elite talent on the U.S. stage.
With a team score of 148.5 the cadets finished 8th in the country. It was the only top-10 finish among New York teams. Six wrestlers garnered All-American honors by finishing top-8 of their weight class. Shea Morris had NYMA’s best individual finish, taking third place at 157 pounds.
Johnny Green (126), Braeden Simoneaux (190), and Newburgh native Cooper Merli (120) all took 4th. Landon Herdic (132) took 7th place, while Andrew McCarthy (150) earned his second Prep All-American honor with a fifth-place finish.
The six All-Americans were recognized by Senator James Skoufis last week, presenting in the uniforms for which NYMA is recognized nationwide. All six cadets exemplify the school and its 137 years of legacy, noting LoPresti, “They represent us well.”
Ask a NYMA alum to share their experience of Cornwall-on-Hudson. Expect more snapshots of time with teammates than textbooks.
Classrooms certainly sharpen cadets, but moments with their team sear the most memories. Scott Green, NYMA chief of staff and executive director of West Point Wrestling Club, knows this firsthand. His own wrestling cohort created countless bonds through each practice and class.
Headmaster Sunny Doman parallels the sport and military education practices. Lessons in resilience and discipline foster development in the body and mind; an athlete’s performance under pressure later supports their steady demeanor as a team leader.
“In wrestling, an athlete stands alone on the mat, responsible for every decision, every movement, and every outcome. Military education cultivates the same mindset. Cadets learn accountability, mental toughness, and the ability to remain composed in challenging situations.
Both environments teach that success is not simply about talent, but about preparation, perseverance, and the willingness to push beyond one’s limits,” said Doman.
Some could today argue military education is losing its place, according to Doman. Yet In attracting prospective students and national recognition alike with its high standard of success, NYMA continues to set the pace for other prep schools.
NYMA is an ironclad link between past and future. Today’s students will become graduates who leap at the chance to teach and grapple with the next group.
And the program celebrates more growth yet. The fastest-spreading sport in the state, girls’ wrestling will debut at NYMA the 2026-27 school year. LoPresti will not coach the girls, but can surely elevate each unprecedented step this program takes.
Having capped another successful winter, NYMA wrestling continues its rise — but the coach says things are only getting started.