STCC wrestling wins 5th consecutive conference title

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Springfield Technical Community College wrestling teams brought home their fifth consecutive conference title, capturing first place at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) Northeast Conference Championship on Feb. 26.

The men’s and women’s teams competed at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., against 11 other schools, including the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. STCC will host the NEC Championship next year.

By capturing first place, they will move on to the 2022 NCWA National Championships in Allen, Texas, March 10-12.

STCC also was awarded men’s coach of the year. Wrestling Coach Alberto Nieves said he shares that award with his assistant coaches, Josh Fontanez ’19 and George Hargrove.

Nieves said he was proud of the men’s and women’s teams for their hard work during a challenging season. The women’s team is composed of one competitor, Waverly KaneLong of Easthampton. Because of the pandemic, the teams complied with a no-spectator policy for indoor events on the STCC campus.

“This is our fifth consecutive title since 2017,” Nieves said. “The COVID pandemic interrupted our season last year, so we didn’t actually get five in a row since we couldn’t compete. We have a one-woman crew on the women’s team. She actually won the title herself. Waverly is ranked third in the country, so she can hopefully be an all American.”

Speaking before a recent practice at the Fitness Center, KaneLong described what it was like to be the only female wrestler at STCC. Normally, the women’s squad has a number of student-wrestlers, but the pandemic may have deterred some from joining, Nieves said.

“It’s interesting. It’s a different kind of mentality than the guys,” said KaneLong, 18.

KaneLong, whose father is a wrestling coach at the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, started competing in high school. “I grew up around it my whole life,” she said. “I like how it’s an individual sport and it’s all you. It’s a lot of hard work. I like that.”

I want to thank the coaches. To me, they’re like superheroes. They see things we don’t see in ourselves. They always push us to do better. Justin Perez, STCC wrestler

“Since I won my match, I’m No. 1 in the conference,” she said. “We will see what happens with Nationals.”

What’s it feel like to be the No. 1 female wrestler in the conference?

“It’s kind of weird,” she said with a laugh. “It doesn’t feel real. My dad was there and he saw it. He was confident in my wrestling abilities.”

KaneLong, a freshman at STCC, studies elementary education. She wants to transfer to continue on with her degree and hopes to teach first grade or kindergarten for a career. She plans to wrestle after transferring from STCC.

Her advice to other women thinking of wrestling: “You can do it if you work hard and you push yourself every single day. It doesn’t matter what any of the guys say. It just matters what you think. You just have to trust yourself.”

The male wrestlers also were excited about winning the conference title and looking forward to Nationals.

Shawn Conniff of Wrentham captured first place in his weight class. He thanked the coaches for the support through the season. “Winning conference was a big accomplishment. It felt amazing,” said Conniff, who is studying criminal justice at STCC. “It took a lot of hard work but I got it done. It was really fun, and I’m happy with it.”

Conniff called wrestling “one of the hardest sports.”

“When you achieve a lot in it, you feel accomplished,” he said. “I think it’s the most rewarding sport.”

Conniff’s teammate Justin Perez of Holyoke won first place in his weight class. Perez, who serves in the Marine Reserves, earned his associate in criminal justice and is currently studying applied psychology. He started wrestling at 15.

“It’s something I became good at, and I stuck with it,” Perez said.

Of the conference win, he said, “It feels good. I waited three years for this. The goal is to be a national champion.”

“I want to thank the coaches,” he said. “To me, they’re like superheroes. They see things we don’t see in ourselves. They always push us to do better.”

The following is a list of the individual team members and how they placed in their weight classes

STCC Men

• 125 pounds, Dylan Beddow of Agawam, 1st place  
• 125 pounds, Moses Oquendo, of Springfield, 2nd place
• 133 pounds, Michael Gonzalez, of Naples, Fla., 1st place
• 133 pounds, Matthew Ginz, Granby Conn., 4th place
• 141 pounds, Justin Muller, Miami, Fla., 6th place
• 149 pounds, Joe Podolak, South Hadley, 3^rd place
• 157 pounds, Alijah Curry, Manchester, Conn., 4th place
• 165 pounds, Justin Perez, Holyoke, 1st Place
• 174 pounds, Ali Zebian, Westfield, 4th Place
• 184 pounds, Ricardo Magny, Brookline, 6th place
• 197 pounds, Stephano Magny, Brookline, 2nd place
• 235 pounds, Shawn Conniff, Wrentham, 1st place
• 285 pounds, William Randall, Springfield, 2nd place
• 285 pounds, Ramell Acquah, Springfield, 6th place

STCC Women

• 116 pounds, Waverly KaneLong, Easthampton, 1st place

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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