Yancey, Korochenskiy lead Cardinal Gibbons to BCAA wrestling championship
Nicholas Yancey and Danil Korochenskiy are a pair of athletes with vastly different origins.
One was born in the United States, while the other was born in Russia and moved to the U.S. when he was 11.
Despite those differences, they have more in common than you think.
Both wrestle for Cardinal Gibbons, are undefeated this season and now can call themselves BCAA county champions.
Yancey (29-0), who is just a junior and the Class 1A defending state champion at 113 pounds, successfully defended his county title when he pinned Trevon Hawkins of Fort Lauderdale at 2:57.
Korochenskiy (30-0), a senior at Gibbons, who came to the United States with his family when he was 11 six years ago, remained among the unbeaten with an 8-2 decision over Diego Ramos Padlil of Western.
The pair were among seven Chiefs wrestlers in the final that helped lead them to the team title, 326.5 points to Cypress Bay’s 300.5 at Pompano Beach High on Saturday.
“After states I was very complacent and after some close matches, I realized defending my title wouldn’t be easy,” said Yancey. “You still need to work your butt off day in and day out. I’ve been working hard.”
Yancey finished last season at 24-0 and has tried to stay on top of all his opponents. His last loss came in 2020.
“This was a rehearsal for states for Yancey,” said Cardinal Gibbons coach Jamal Morris. “He’s focused and dominates like he usually does. He’s worked too hard not to go out there and have fun.”
Korochenskiy fell short of a state title last year when he finished third. He expects a different result this year.
“I’ve worked on conditioning,” said Korochenskiy. “I’ve improved the most when I’m on top of my competitor. I just wrestle and try not think about losing. If you lose, you have no one else to blame that yourself.”
“He was a starter and was good, but I didn’t know much about him when I came here three years ago as coach,” said Morris. “He lacked some confidence, but this year he has worked harder than most in the room. His demeanor changed and is more focused, listens when he’s on the mat.”
Other county champions for the Chiefs were Peyton Vargas (113), Mathew Palermo (132), Sajid Mabud (138), Diego Peralta (145) and Robert Limperis (152).
Cypress Bay, who finished second to Gibbons for the second consecutive year was led by Andrew Punzalan (106), Gabriel Herrero (120), Jared Campbell (220) and Gozie Mosi (HWT).
RESULTS
▪ Team scores (Top 10): 1. Cardinal Gibbons 326.5; 2. Cypress Bay 300.5; 3. Douglas 222; 4. Miramar 174; 5. St. Thomas Aquinas 133; Western 133; 7. Nova 120.5; 8. Coral Springs Charter 119; 9. Fort Lauderdale 105; 10. Cooper City 103.
▪ Championship finals - 106: Punzalan (CB) d. Leiva (MSD) 5-1; 113: Vargas (CG) p. Lindsey (CSC) 0:43; 120: Herrero (CB) d. Hudson (CG) 7-3; 126: N. Yancey (CG) p. Hawkins (FTL) 2:57; 132: Palermo (CG) p. Coburn (STA) 1:39; 138: Mabud (CG) d. Syzmanik (FTL) 14-9; 145: Peralta (CG) d. Diniz (CB) 8-7; 152: Limperis (CG) d. Weidler (CB) 4-3; 160: Bucknor (FTL) ds. Ivory (CB) 8-6; 170: Korochenskiy (CG) d. Ramos Padlil (WEST) 8-2; 182: Mocco (CSC) t.p. Kone (COOP) 21-6; 195: Guillen (MON) p. Miranda (SB) 3:29; 220: Campbell (CB) p. Milton (MIR) 2:12; HWT: Mosi (CB) d. Mondesir (MIR) 12-1.
▪ Consolation results - 106: Recio (MCA) d. Brutus (MIR) 13-9; 113: Butler (MIR) p. Pellegrini (MSD) 0:33; 120: Ragsdale (NOV) p. Gay (MIR) 0:41; 126: Calderin (SP) d. Kepler (WB) 5-1; 132: Torres (CB) d. McCullum (NOV) 9-1; 138: Spurlock (CB) d. Dion (MSD) 6-3; 145: Kleine (MON) d. Faris (WEST) 8-1; 152: Enriquez (WB) d. Wilson (CSC) 7-6; 160: C. Yancey (CG) p. Taylor (CSC) 5:43; 170: Barthelus (MIR) p. C. Dion (MSD) 4:48; 182: Pierre (SP) d. Johnson (CS) 14-5; 195: Mosi (CB) d. Groves (STA) 1-0; 220: Cooper (CG) p. Jean (MSD) 4:46; HWT: Petitdor (FLAN) p. Williams (WB) 4:24.