Wrestling Team Makes Playoffs, Gursoy Wins at State Champs
Evin Gursoy ‘25 (top) dominated the season all the way to victory at the State Championship. Photo: Beat the Streets
By TYLER KATSURA and NATHAN BARENBAUM
Orin Abrahams contributed to this article.
The Boys Wrestling Team has swept their opponents off their feet this season, amassing an impressive 5-2 record, with junior Evin Gursoy placing first in the state championship.
Though Midwood’s season ended with a second-round playoff exit at the hands of Brooklyn Tech, this year proved to be a stepping stone in the right direction compared to last year’s first round elimination.
Throughout the season, the team has had multiple successful performances in tournaments, including a second-place finish in the Petrides Dual Invitational Tournament on December 16, great performances in the Sal Difazio Tournament at Hills East High School in Long Island from December 28-29, and a 4th place finish in the Borough Championship. At the city championships, Gursoy placed 1st, junior Davlatshohi Umarkolov 4th, and junior Adam Hamouche 6th.
Despite the team’s elimination, Gursoy was able to obtain his first state championship for the Division I 116 lb weight class. He also became the first wrestler in PSAL to place in states in three different years since the 1980s.
Gursoy won every tournament he attended, including Eastern States, Boroughs, Hills East, Petrides, and Murrow.
“He’s really talented and he trains really hard,” said Mr. Michael Dowd, the team’s head coach.
“I look up to him to learn,” said John Anthony Gonzalez, a team captain who was 4-3 in the regular season. “He's been doing it for so long, and his constant hard work puts him above others.”
The team has embodied a consistent winning mentality, finishing 5-4 last year, though they lost 36-31 at the hands of the unbeaten Jamaica Beavers in the playoffs.
The team has faced a lot of challenges this year, including losing multiple seniors. Despite this, they were able to overcome any setbacks to have a strong season.
“We don't have a wrestling room, so we practice in the cafeteria, yet we have managed to place at the season's tournaments,” said Gonzalez. “There are regular roadblocks, but in the end, we come together and prevail.”
The squad’s freshmen have added a youthful, energetic element that has a lot of room to prosper going forward.
“I'd describe them as committed," said Gonzalez. “They're definitely an interesting bunch. They have heart, and they've already displayed their commitment to the sport, so they definitely have a lot of potential.”
“The new guys are all hard working and try their best,” Gursoy said. “Even if they don’t win, people on the team will try to lift them up and help them continue to improve.”
At the Freshman Sophomore Tournament, Norodom Ung ‘26 achieved a remarkable first-place finish and emerged as a standout wrestler, capturing the attention of spectators and competitors alike with a display of extraordinary technique and amazing reaction times.
“I never overthought my moves, and as soon as I saw an opening, I took it,” said Norodom, “When I felt him getting away, I made it my goal to always stand up first.”
Temurbek Makhmudov ‘26 was also able to win second place in his weight class.
There have also been new staff introduced to the squad: physical education teacher Mr. Timothy Kraemer and Brian Gaun.
“The new managers help the team a lot and coach the new guys,” said Gursoy.
The team's captains, including Gursoy, Gonzalez, Omar Kassem, and Elijah Sampson, have brought reliable leadership.
“They’re all close friends of mine,” said Adam Hamouche, who was 3-2 this season in the 108 lb weight class. “They’re extremely hard working. They help out new wrestlers a lot and are a big factor in our team’s success.”
Another key to the team’s performance has been the guidance of Mr. Dowd.
“Coach Dowd is very solution-oriented,” said Sampson, who was 3-0 this season. “He's the type of coach to immediately identify a problem and match it with a solution that works the best depending on the situation.”
Mr. Dowd praised the team’s overall vibe and passion. “They’re really a spirited group of guys,” he said. “They have a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm, and a very positive attitude. They like being around one another, they like being challenged, they’re hard workers.”
“I think the team is great, and they work very hard to achieve their goals. It's super fun to see them practice and perform their best,” said Manager Janaya Brittos ’26.
“There's not really much else that'll make you closer with someone than fighting with them," said Hamouche. “I’m glad that we all have the bond that we do.”
“It’s a sport for people who aren't afraid to work hard, who aren’t afraid to lose, and who are willing to make a serious commitment,” Mr. Dowd said.
The team has “a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm, and a very positive attitude,” Mr. Dowd said. Photo: Coach Palmer