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Red Devil wrestlers make Top Five in Lohud rankings

Left to right – Naseer Johnson, Martin Palomeque, Ruben Gray
Byline photo of Jim Roberts
By Jim Roberts
December 21, 2023

The Peekskill Red Devils high school wrestling team is led this year by three top competitors who were named to Lohud’s list of the top wrestlers in each weight class for Division I (large-school) and Division II (small-school) through the early stretch of the 2023-24 season.

 Martin Palomeque, at 160 pounds, is entering his third year wrestling and was one match away from placing in the 2023 Section One championship. He posted a season record of 23-7 last year.

As Martin embarks into the 2023-24 season with the mindset of capturing a Section One title for Peekskill, (which has not been done in over 30 years), Martin has started the season with a record of 19-1 pinning or majoring every opponent he has faced so far.

Palomeques’ wrestling career is just getting started as he is planning on continuing his career at SUNY Cortland or Brockport State University. “Don’t be surprised if you see him in the section one finals in February,” says Coach Raul Ortiz.

Naseer Johnson, a major threat this season at 190 pounds, is also chasing a Section One title. Nas is entering his third year in the sport. He fell shy from capturing a title in 2023, but still placed 5th at 190 pounds. As a second year wrestler, Nas was All-Section, All-League, and managed to win his 50th match as a wrestler in 2023. He also finished the season with a record of 26-8. Nas has started the season with a record of 15-2.

Johnson, like Martin, is also planning on continuing his wrestling career in college. At this time Nas is undecided. Keep an eye out for this unbelievable athletic wrestler. “A star amongst Section One is being born this season,” Ortiz says.

Ruben Gray, an All Section wrestler who finished 3rd in 2023, is on the right path to become a Section One champ for Peekskill in 2024. Ruben posted a record of 23-10 in 2023. Gray has started the season with a record of 12-3.

Ruben, just like Martin and Nas, is also planning on continuing his wrestling career at the collegiate level. He is undecided at the current time. “Ruben is an underdog who will continue to prevail in spite of his short time wrestling,” Ortiz says.

 

Information and photos courtesy of Coach Raul Ortiz.

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About the Contributor
Jim Roberts
Jim Roberts
Jim Roberts has been in this business for more than 35 years (hard to believe) and still learning every day. A third-generation Peekskill resident, he started as a lowly researcher at the Westchester Business Journal in 1986 and learned how to be a reporter from many veterans in the field. He’s worked in private companies, Connecticut state government and wrote for the Co-op City Times for 10 years before retiring from full-time work in 2019. Roberts wants to contribute to building the Herald into a news website for residents who care about what’s happening in Peekskill.