The Nassau Community College (NCC) men's and women's wrestling team had an impressive showing as they hosted the Nassau Open tournament, with several athletes earning podium finishes in their respective weight classes. Despite the stiff competition from unattached wrestlers and wrestlers from other colleges, Nassau is confident in their showing.
In the 133-pound weight class, Nassau had two representatives—Joseph Ramirez and Shane Dobbins—both competing at a high level. Ramirez earned a well-deserved third place, securing a 12-6 decision victory over his teammate Dobbins in the third-place match. Dobbins, despite falling short, showed significant promise and determination, finishing fourth. Both wrestlers showcased the depth of talent within Nassau's program.
Joseph Keesee had a standout performance in the 157-pound division. After a hard-fought tournament, Keesee secured third place by pinning Chase Helder of Camden County College in 2:42 during the third-place match. Keesee's technical ability and mat control were evident throughout the competition, making him one of the top performers for Nassau.
In the 165-pound bracket, Joseph Mattei battled hard but ultimately finished in fourth place. Mattei faced tough competition, and although he lost his third-place match 7-3 to Hofstra's Eric Shindel.
Ali Khawaja had the most dominant performance for Nassau, winning the 174-pound title in impressive fashion. Khawaja secured a tech fall victory (20-3) in the finals against Sean Haas of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, showcasing his aggressive wrestling style and technical precision. His victory was a highlight of the tournament for Nassau.
In the heavyweight division, Nassau's Dominick Albertelli had a strong showing, earning third place in the 285-pound bracket. Albertelli's road to the podium included a dramatic victory by fall over Aiden Pham of Fairmont State at 3:49 in the third-place match.Â
Women
Katherine Berrezueta (Women's 131 lbs):
Nassau's Katherine Berrezueta competed in the 131-pound women's bracket, where she faced off against Kira Pipkins of Columbia in a tough match. Despite the loss, Berrezueta's resilience in the competition showed her ability to compete at a high level, which bodes well for her future performances.
Kaitlynn Carrior (Women's 145-160 lbs):
Competing in the 145-160 lb women's division, Nassau's Kaitlynn Carrior earned a spot in the final, facing off against Kiki Tuttle of Columbia. Carrior had previously earned a win in her second-round match, showcasing her strength, but ultimately fell short in the final, finishing second. Her determination throughout the tournament was a positive takeaway for Nassau.
