Friday Night Lights July 13, 2012
Round Robin Takedown Tournament at night under the lights at John Burns Park
Once again, Friday Night Lights was a very successful event. Most wrestlers were in 4 or 5 man round robin brackets. All matches were refereed by high school refs on full mats. First place winners received special custom die cast medals. All divisions started on time or close to their designated starting time. The Cadet division actually started 30 minutes early which helped the tournament finish just after 10 pm. Thanks to our DJ, concession stand, table help and all other volunteers.
Friday Night Lights July 8, 2011
Lighthouse Wrestling coverage of Friday Night Lights 2010
Bill Miller, Lighthouse Wrestling,
Lighthouse Wrestling - © 2010 Lighthouse Wrestling
Friday Night Lights July 9, 2010
Photo taken by: Joe D'Aquila /Phototrens
All Event photo’s were shot by Joe D’Aquila of phototrens.com
To purchase photo’s go to www.phototrens.com
The second Annual 2010 Friday Night Lights Takedown Tournament sponsored by the Friends of Massapequa Wrestling Inc. was a huge success with 306 wrestlers participating on the soccer field at John Burns Park in Massapequa. The event showcased a diverse group of competitors including Freestyle, Roman Greco, Folkstyle, MMA, BJJ & other forms of grappling all competing against each other.
The theme of the event was to bring together wrestlers, parents, fans and alumni of Long Island Wrestling coupled with fun and the recreational activities of wrestling, Frisbee, soccer and music blaring throughout the entire evening. From this standpoint of having “fun”, it was a fantastic event!
All takedowns were scored as 1 point. Groups were organized by weight and age. Most groups had 5 wrestlers providing 4 matches of 2 or 3 minutes each. The winners of each group were the wrestlers who scored the most total takedowns in all their combined matches. The oddity of the competition is the possibility a wrestler can actually lose each individual bout yet still win their weight class. A great concept that emphasizes an offensive strategy, on their feet attempting to score. Certified officials with lots of supervision provided a great atmosphere showcasing wrestling to the general public as a great activity for kids.
Bill Miller of Lighthousewrestling.com shot videos of the action and interviews with some of the coaches and directors of the tournament. He will be producing a 3 minute clip for the FOMW that will appear on the "TakedownRadio/TV" Program with Scott Casber hosting his weekly highlight show. The show has recently expanded into Central New York State on the Times Warner Cable Systems. Negotiations have begun to secure additional Times Warner outlets that also covers New York City and parts of Orange & Nassau County. The TV & Radio shows has continually expanded throughout the Midwest through media.com outlets to over 800,000 homes.
Thanks to all the volunteers who helped put together and run the event and special thanks to our sponsors!
We hope to have the results posted soon.
Friday Night Lights Summer Takedown Tournament 2010
Friday Night Lights Takedown Tournament July 10, 2009
Photo taken by: Joe DAquila /Phototrens
On behalf of the Friends of Massapequa Wrestling, we would like to thank everyone who participated in and attended the "Friday Night Lights" event on July 10th. We would also like to thank all of our sponsors, supporters and dedicated volunteers, as well as the entire Long Island wrestling community for their overwhelming support of this Inaugural event. Special thanks to Coach Joe Catalonotto and his entire staff for their tireless efforts and devotion to our young wrestlers.
Our Loyal & Dedicated Sponsors who support wrestling in the Massapequa Community: Lorich Construction Management, L.I. Athletics, Eagle Heating, Sterling Capital, Tobay Lifeguards, William Schwarz Physical Therapy, Dr. DiBlasi, Sharper Image Tanning, AC Sports
Lighthouse Wrestling coverage of Friday Night Lights 2009
Click on the Lighthouse logo above to see the Lighthouse Video coverage!!!
Friday Night Lights was a smashing success at Johns Burns Park in Massapequa on Friday Evening July 10. Unlike the tension at other wrestling touraments, Friday Night Lights was a combination festival, reunion, wrestling tournament rolled into one. Contrasted with a baseball game in progress on the adjacent field, it was on the mat where you could find all the excitement and fans, not so much for America’s favorite past time.
There was a great turnout in the senior division with, I believe, Ted Depasquale and Ray Downey being the oldest of the seniors in attendance (The Two Wrestled a great match and it is posted here). It was like a who’s who of former Section 8 and Section XI stars. The event was well attended at all divisions with over 400 athletes in attendance.
The event was also graced with outstanding weather. For a mid-July event the temperature was comfortable, even cool later in the evening. The only drawback to the cool evening temperatures was that it brought with it condensation that was impossible to clear from the mats making the mat conditions somewhat slippery, but no more slippery than a sweaty wrestling room nearing the end of hard practice.
Friday Night Lights was a terrific idea, and I’d like to complement the Friends of Massapequa Wrestling and especially Joe Catalonato and his staff for holding a Great Event! Running a tournament is never easy and especially running the first of an exciting event.
Bill Miller, Lighthouse Wrestling, 7/13/2009
Reprinted with permission from Lighthouse Wrestling - © 2008-2009 Lighthouse Wrestling
