BAINBRIDGE–The Gladiators School of Wrestling Club, a private wrestling club located in Bainbridge, NY has had a very successful 2013-2014 wrestling season. The club was able to showcase their talent at the NYWAY (New York Wrestling Association of Youth) New York State Championship’s on March 15 & 16. The team placed second overall with 311.5 points, with 21 team members, behind G2 Wrestling Academy from Rochester scoring 396 points with 43 team members. Rounding out third place was Underground of Minisink Valley with 284.5 points, with 21 team members.

The Gladiators had all team members placing at the qualifier to participate at the 2014 NYWAY New York State Championship’s and won the overall team title for the Southern Tier NYWAY qualifier. Gladiators walked away with 13 regional title winners; Trevor Thayer, Max Morris, TJ O’Connor, Nathan Merwin, Benjiman Menard, Troy Spratley, Brody Oleksak, Tyler Rice, Dante Geislinger, Chandler Merwin, Harrison Stone, Zach Mills and Dalen Geislinger. Other place winners; Andrew Brown: second, Joey Rumola: second, Cody Merwin: third, Griffin Mills: second, Joey Marvin: third, Mikey Squires: second and Elijah Rodriguez: fourth.

At the NYWAY NYS Championships Gladiator’s had 16 place winners overall. Those winning a State title: Trevor Thayer: six and under at 50 pounds, Max Morris: seven and eight at 55 pounds, Troy Spratley: nine and ten at 70 pounds, Brody Oleksak: nine and ten at 85 pounds, Dante Geislinger: 11 and 12 at 60 pounds, Chandler Merwin: 11 and 12 at 75 pounds and in the Girls Division, Alexis Thayer at 55 pounds. Other place winners include; TJ O’Connor fiftth in the seven and eight at 65 pounds, Nathan Merwin fourth in the nine and ten at 60 pounds. Andrew Brown fifth in the nine and ten at 60 pounds. Tyler Rice fifth in the nine and ten at 105 pounds, Mikey Squires fourth in the 11 and 12 at 80 pounds, Elijah Rodriguez second in the 11 and 12 at 85 pounds, Harrison Stone third in the 11 and 12 at 113 pounds, Zach Mills fifth in the 13 and 15 at 105 pounds and Dalen Geislinger fourth in the High School Division at 99 pounds.

Also while at the NYWAY State tournament Gladiator’s had three members recognized by NYWAY being presented with NUWAY “All American Status” Certificates for their recent accomplishment of winning a minimum of four matches while at the NUWAY National Duals representing the New York State on the NYWAY National team. Those having won the All American Status are: Troy Spratley, Brody Oleksak and Tyler Rice. All three wrestlers were represented on the ten and under team.

The Gladiator’s also had several team members that went to State College Tournament at Penn State in State College, PA on March 1, 2014. Most brackets were a minimum of 12 wrestlers and filled with National and State Champions from multiple states. This was a double elimination tournament and many of the Gladiators had barn burner matches. Coming out place winners were: Troy Spratley in the nine and ten at 65 pounds, Brody Oleksak in the nine and ten at 85 pounds and Tyler Rice in the nine and ten at 105 pounds. Max Morris took third in the seven and eight at 55 pounds and Elijah Rodriguez earned secpnd in the 11 and 12 at 80 pounds. The Gladiators also had the chance to meet Olympic gold medalist Jake Varner.

The last large tournament for the regular season for Gladiators is MAWA (Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association) Eastern National Championship. To participate in this championship, wrestlers had to qualify by placing in the top three at one of ten Northern Region qualifiers. All 20 participating Gladiators have qualified either in Johnson City, NY or Tunkhannock, PA. In the Bantam Division; Trevor Thayer: second place at 48 pounds, TJ O’Connor: first place at 65 pounds. In the Midget Division; Max Morris: first place at 54 pounds, Nathan Merwin: first place at 58 pounds, and Benjiman Menard: first place at 62 pounds. Junior Division; Joey Rumola: first at 58 pounds, Andrew Brown: second place at 58 pounds, Dante Geislinger: first at 62 pounds, Cody Merwin: second at 62 pounds, Troy Spratley: first at 66 pounds, Griffin Mills: first at 70 pounds, Joey Marvin: second at 70 pounds, Mikey Squires: first at 74 pounds, Elijah Rodriguez: first at 82 pounds, Brody Oleksak: first at 86 punds, Tyler Rice: first at 98 pounds. Intermediate Division; Chandler Merwin: first at 75 pounds, Zach Mills: first at 105 pounds, Harrison Stone: second at 115 pounds and Dalen Geislinger: first in the Advanced division at 100 pounds. Wrestlers then traveled to Shamokin, PA for the Northern region qualifier, fourteen of the wrestlers advanced to Eastern National Championship by placing fourth or higher. Gladiators earning a first place: Dante Geislinger, Troy Spratley, Elijah Rodriguez, and Chandler Merwin. Wrestlers earning a second place seeding: Max Morris & Tyler Rice. Third place seeding: TJ O'Connor, Nate Merwin, Andrew Brown, Joey Rumola, Mikey Squires, Brody Oleksak, Zach Mills & Dalen Geislinger.

On May 2-4, 2014 those fourteen Gladiators traveled to Salisbury, MD putting the efforts of the season to the test. Eleven of the wrestlers earned “All American Status”, two of which battled for Eastern National Championship titles; Troy Spratley and Elijah Rodriquez. This is Spratley’s third Eastern National title in four years. The other nine placers; Mikey Squires: third place, Chandler Merwin: fourth place, TJ O’Connor: fourth place, Dalen Geislinger: fifth place, Dante Geislinger: sixth place, Andrew Brown: sixth place, Max Morris: seventh place, Brody Oleksak: seventh place and Nathen Merwin: eighth place.

Some team members will continue to wrestle through the summer months competing at tournaments in Pennsylvania and New Jersey an even some local events. This Memorial weekend some team members participated at the Canoe Regatta. It has been many years since this event was held and has proven to be one that many will continue to support. The tournament brought in wrestlers of top teams from across the state; G2 of Rochester, NY to Underground of Minisink, NY. Earning first place: Max Morris, Nate Merwin, Brody Oleksak, and Tyler Rice. Earning second place: Joey Rumola and fifth Alexis Thayer.

This has proven to be a year of success for the Gladiators School of Wrestling team who has wrestle on a single mat in a converted garage all season. The team has made plans of an expansion to the current location and is hoping with fundraising and sponsorship this will be completed by the end of this summer. If you are interested in giving support or for more information please contact Jennifer Rice at (607)-244-9881 or Luke Marvin at (607)-316-0324. You may also make monetary donations for the wrestlers, please mail to: Gladiators School of Wrestling- 2085 County Route 35 Bainbridge, NY 13733. The Gladiators Team thanks you in advance for your support.