Taking It To The Mat: MEET THE LONGMEADOW WRESTLING TEAM
By Seth Stutman | Photos by Ivy Pohl Photography
Published in Longmeadow Neighbors April 2025
The Longmeadow Wrestling Team
The 2024-2025 Longmeadow High School Wrestling team is wrapping up yet another successful season, and with momentum on their side, are pinning the competition and racking up points and fans. Also, the 2025 outlook is promising! Seven seniors and 13 returning wrestlers will vie for an 8th league championship.
“As a parent, I love watching the boys—evolve in their skills—be challenged—even uncomfortably challenged in ways they may not get otherwise—at home, school, or with their friends. It is stressful witnessing your kid be stressed or put in difficult situations, but I loved seeing him win—seeing him lose—and see him bond with his teammates,” said Rick Roque, father of freshman Luke Roque. Roque appreciates the skills forged on the wrestling mats. “I wish parents understood the confidence building that takes place with the kids—the camaraderie and the life lessons/skills developed when it comes to self-defense and overall being able to help yourself and others around you if needed.”
Sophomore Nathan Katz hasn’t been able to suit up for a single full match this season due to an elbow injury, but Katz has gained valuable insight in his sophomore year assisting the coaching staff and being a supportive teammate. Katz has only been wrestling for a few years, specializing in Greco and freestyle, but his passion and skills have developed him into a wrestler who last year won freestyle and Greco state for Massachusetts and freestyle for Connecticut. Despite the injuries, Katz is prepared to continue supporting his team while planning for his wrestling future.
“Wrestling is a lot of fun because you get to throw kids, and you get the results from the time you put in. I am fun to watch with my high-flying style, intensity, and pace I bring to the sport.”
“Next year I have a few goals set in mind—stay healthy, win a State Title, place at New Englands’, and win Northeast Regionals—and get all A's.”
Senior Ari Eisgrau is a two-sport wonder, a running back and defensive back for the LHS Spartans, and a wrestling team captain. Eisgrau has been wrestling for eight years and was recruited to the team and now, he’s a senior captain. Football might get more attention in town, but Eisgrau knows how exciting wrestling is. “[Wrestling is] filled with action. Very nail-biting scenarios and it is just something very exciting to watch,” said Eisgrau.
Junior Daniel Nejad has only been wrestling for a few months, but has the bug, and is ecstatic to succeed in wrestling, utilizing his background in boxing and future aspirations of becoming a MMA fighter. “Wrestling is such a fun sport for several reasons: you get to wrestle your friends and see who’s better. It’s a very hands-on sport and doesn’t rely on any teammates besides your coach. It’s all about leveraging bodyweight and strength. People should come to watch our matches because it demonstrates the quality effort that the students are putting in to dominate in the sport. It’s sometimes a very aggressive sport and other times very strategic and technical which makes it thrilling to watch,” said Nejad.
“Wrestling is the only high school sport that you can pretty much fight and not get in any trouble. It's very physically demanding and isn't for everyone but if you like watching the UFC wrestling is just like that without the punches and kicks,” said Junior Gabe Grosh, who found wrestling through football. Ever the showman, he hopes to entertain during his matches. “I think I'm pretty entertaining to watch because I just throw people and even when I'm down in a match I never give up and I can always come back and pin,” he says.
Sophomore Jackson Dalessio has been wrestling since Middle School and appreciates the camaraderie of the squad. “It's a much more tightly knitted group of athletes because every Wednesday and Saturday we compete and every day we train and because of the tough losses and extremely hard practices we have grown closer because we understand the struggles of this sport so we have a special connection with each other.”
“Wrestling created a spirit in me that wouldn't quit so my freshman year when I went out for track, I wasn't the farthest thrower or highest jumper,” says the resilient Dalessio. “I still showed up every day and trained so hard that they couldn't keep me off Varsity even if they tried that's what wrestling taught me—to work so hard no one can deny you the top spot.”
Laura Dalessio, Jackson’s mother, watches her son with equal parts joy and nervousness. “It’s intense, exciting and nerve-wracking. It’s also a sense of pride to watch all the wrestlers work hard. There is always a winner and loser and you know both athletes are giving it their all! Wrestlers have so much grit, physical athleticism, discipline, and mental toughness. They work insanely hard and put everything they have into training every day. That's a lot of time and dedication.” Jackson and his peers are excited for the program to grow and to see more and more success and accolades for the squad. “I think by next year we will be one of the best teams in Western Mass and hopefully we will win league again for the 8th time and bring back the Longmeadow legacy for Western Mass wrestling.”
Sectional West Tournament Successes!
Sean MacDonald: 106 pounds, Won the Division 2 Sectional Champion
Ethan Kelly: 113 pounds took 2nd
Ryan Nero: 132 pounds took 2nd
Gabe Grosh: 215 pounds took 4th
Paul MacDonald: 120 pounds took 6th
Division 2 State Tournament Successes!
Sean MacDonald: Freshman, Placed 2nd at 106 pounds
Ryan Nero: Senior Captain, Placed 3rd at 132 pounds
Gianna Reed: Senior, Division 2 State Champ for second year at 138 pounds
Senior Success!
Senior Captain Ryan Nero reached 120 wins (100 wins is considered to be a High School wrestling milestone).
Meet the Coach!
Alex Efstratios has been an educator and a wrestling coach for 30+ years, with the last 20 years coming at Longmeadow High School. Graduating from Springfield College, he quickly became a Physical Education teacher, while also coaching football, wrestling, and track & field. Alex’s wrestling teams have won 7 League Titles and have produced many Sectional Champions, 8 State Champions, and 1 All-State Champion. Additionally, Efstratios coached the first Girl State Champion in school history, Gianna Reed. Alex’s teams have over 300 wins and he was inducted into the Massachusetts Coaches Association HOF for Wrestling. Additionally, his teams have won the Sportsmanship Award given by the officials 3 times.
“What I love the most about coaching is taking a student athlete that never participated in wrestling and by the time he or she is a senior they have a great deal of success and maybe even winning a sectional or state title. My job as a coach is not just the sport of wrestling but also instilling good values to bring to everyday life after high school. Instilling a good work ethic, knowing right from wrong, great sportsmanship, and fighting through adversity. Wrestling is secondary.”
“Coaching in Longmeadow has been a great experience. The parents are extremely involved and have great support from the coaches. The student-athletes are very committed to the academic process and the sports they choose to participate in. I would not want to be in any other place to coach wrestling than Longmeadow High School.”
Advice for Parents and Athletes
Parents and athletes shared their advice and experiences:
“Support your children in pursuing the sport—it isn’t about the sport, but the skills, confidence, and ability to grow with their teammates—it is an excellent environment.”
“Stick with it! There are tough days and there are more tough days. It’s not an easy sport, it takes a lot of hard work but the reward is so worth it in the end!”
“Supporting their goals and dreams with kindness and encouragement! It’s a growth mindset!”
“We are a family! The coaches, wrestlers, and parents are amazing! When we moved here in 2019 my family knew no one. All 3 of my sons, myself, and my husband have built lifelong relationships with our wrestling families!”
“How is the atmosphere of sport in Longmeadow? The coaches are excellent and extremely affirming when it comes to the kids—they are attentive and confidence builders to the kids—I am extremely grateful for their leadership.”
“Competitive but you always have a team to support you and help you grow!”
““The atmosphere at every match is edge-of-your-seat exciting. The wrestling team is like a family—supportive, tight-knit, and pushing each other to be better. The coaches, athletes, and parents create a welcoming environment where everyone feels included, whether you’re a seasoned wrestler or new to the sport”
Advice for Sporting Success:
“Encourage your children to work hard and stay dedicated because their efforts will pay off. Wrestling teaches invaluable skills like discipline, mental toughness and perseverance—qualities that will benefit them far beyond the mat. Most importantly, support them through the ups and downs, and remind them to enjoy the journey. If your child is interested in wrestling, have them attend a meet and talk to current team members. Seeing the sport in action and connecting with the team can help them understand what it is all about.”
“My advice to an athlete wanting to compete in the sport of wrestling is that you need to be committed to the sport. Wrestling is the toughest sport in High School and takes a lot of dedication but once you compete you will absolutely love the sport. This sport will without a doubt prepare you for life after High School. The discipline and things you learn from the sport is unmatched.”
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