Eliezer Sanchez Climbs the Podium One Final Time

Central Islip High School student Eliezer Sanchez started wrestling five years ago in eighth grade after he caught the attention of head varsity wrestling coach, Brad Brzozinski.

"When I met him in eighth grade, I knew that he had some special abilities," Coach Brzozinski said. "Before long, he was coming back and showing us counters to the moves we taught him. Not only is he a good wrestler, but he's a student of the game. That's why he's been so good."

In that five-year span, his resume is among the most impressive in Central Islip High School history.

He became the second wrestler ever to reach 100 career victories and capped off his senior campaign with a third-place finish at the NYSPHAA State Championships in Albany in February. He was also named an all-county and all-league wrestler three times.

"It's bittersweet, you know?" Sanchez said. "It's the end of the year, end of the season. It's officially over. I miss it already."

After a strong performance at the Section XI County Championships, Eliezer earned the No. 19 seed in the state tournament double-elimination tournament.

He lost his second match of the day and quickly found himself in the midst of adversity. 

"I couldn't lose again," he said. "After I lost that second match, I knew I was better than a lot of the wrestlers there. That's what I believe in my head."

He later reversed course in dominant fashion, defeating the 14th, 11th, 5th, 10th, 7th, and 4th seeds to earn a third-place finish on the podium. After a triumphant victory in the third-place match, he knew exactly what to do to show his gratitude.

"I had to go give my coaches a hug and run over to hug my mom," he said. "She's the one who made sure I was healthy and took me to all my matches that were hours away."

His coaches - Brad Brzozinski, Rick Brzozinski and Ato Thomas - were held in high regards when he reflected on his career.

"My coaches have done everything," Sanchez said. "Coach Rick runs the practices. Coach Thomas would text me during snow days and find places for me to practice. Coach Brad helped me connect to other trainers that helped me transform my skills. I owe them everything."

He concluded the season with an impressive 43–3 record and a career record of 119–24.

"He's a very soft-spoken individual that has a lot of drive," Coach Rick Brzozinski said. "He lets his wrestling do the talking. He's a pleasure to coach, he's a great athlete and a great student in my class. It was a very rewarding weekend and gave us a lot of great memories."

"Eliezer is so smart, on the mat and off the mat," Coach Thomas said. "He had a plan and he achieved everything he put his mind to. When he puts everything into it, there's no stopping him. I'm so happy he was able to achieve so many of his goals he set out for."