Athlete Spotlight: Yorktown Wrestler Joe Tornambe

YORKTOWN, N.Y—

Recent Yorktown graduate Joe Tornambe was on the Huskers’ varsity wrestling team for five seasons. He became the first Yorktown wrestler to win three sectional titles when he placed first at the sectionals this year at 138 pounds. Tornambe won sectional championships in his sophomore, junior, and senior years.

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He wrestled at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Tournament as a sophomore (seventh place, 102 pounds), junior (126 pounds), and senior (fifth place, 138 pounds).

Tornambe finished his five-year varsity career with a 151-26 record. His 151 wins are the second most in Husker history, with 2014 Yorktown graduate Steven Sabella being the record holder.

This spring, Tornambe played varsity lacrosse for the first time as a defensive middie for a Husker squad that won the Section 1 Class B championship.

What did it mean to accomplish all that you did wrestling for Yorktown?

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It meant a lot. I worked really hard my whole life to be a great wrestler. Many sacrifices and hours were put into all of it that not many would understand. It wasn’t the easiest, so knowing that my hard work and sacrifices really did pay off means a lot.

Wrestling is different in the fact that if you lose you have nobody to blame but yourself. Getting through those devastating losses is harder than you could imagine, but it led me to where I am today. I couldn’t thank my coaches and family enough because, without them, none of this would have been possible.

How old were you when you started wrestling and what got you started?

I can’t remember the first time I stepped on a wrestling mat. It’s been that long. I’ve been wrestling my whole life. My dad was the coach of Yorktown wrestling when I was young, so I’ve always been around the sport. Ever since I stepped on the mat I knew it was the sport for me. My dad was definitely the reason I started to wrestle though.

What was your favorite thing about being on the Yorktown wrestling team?

There are so many things I enjoyed about being part of the wrestling team at Yorktown. Whether it was playing handball after practice or everyone pushing each other to our deepest water, I think it was just the bond our team has had, especially this year. We all knew what we had to do to achieve our goals and we did that. I have never been a part of such a motivated group of guys.

Being a part of that process and seeing everyone work for the team’s goals and their individual goals was definitely a highlight for me.

What was your favorite team activity or pre- or post-match ritual?

One of my favorite pre-match rituals was warming up with the team, everybody locking in for their match, getting in the match mindset, fueling up after weigh-ins, and then going out on the mat and getting the job done. Definitely not easy but something I will remember.

I would always look forward to going out to get food with the team after matches and tournaments. It was something I would look forward to week in and week out. We would go all over Westchester to get the best food, it was great.

Who has been your biggest role model?

My dad, because without him, I wouldn’t have done what I did. He knew how to push me the right way and he was always real with me. If I did bad, he told me and if I did good, he told me. Having someone like this not only helped me on the mat but will help me later in life as well. I couldn’t thank him enough.

What do you plan to do after high school?

I am going to Sacred Heart University, and I am studying communications and marketing. I am going to wrestle there as well.

What are your favorite sports team(s)?

Ohio State football and the New York Giants.

What was your favorite music to listen to while warming up for a match?

Taylor Swift and Drake. Very good mix and it definitely gets me excited to wrestle. Sometimes a little bit of 50 Cent as well. Listening to music before I wrestled was important.

If you could pick one place to visit on vacation that you’ve never been to, where would you go?

I would probably pick Italy. I have a lot of family there too so it would be cool to see them. I’ve heard it’s very nice and the food is something I’ve always wanted to try.

What was your favorite food to eat before or after a match, and what’s your favorite Yorktown eatery?

Before matches, I would always eat peanut-butter pretzels and sometimes an egg sandwich. My teammate Anthony would also bring nerd gummy clusters and I would always steal them from him because they are so good. I would also always drink a Pedialyte before a match to hydrate after weigh-ins. After the match, it’s really any food I can get my hands on. Eating after tournaments and matches is the best.

My favorite food spot in Yorktown is Heavy Bear Deli. A wacky with salt, pepper, and ketchup is great. Never go wrong with that.

This spring, you played on Yorktown’s Section 1 Class B lacrosse championship team. What was that like?

It was very cool being a part of the lacrosse team winning the section championship. After my senior season, I thought why not play and mix it up since I had been only wrestling all of high school. Being a part of lacrosse was a very cool experience and I am happy I played.

What’s the go-to app on your phone?

TikTok or Instagram. I could scroll for hours on either one. It’s very addictive so once I’m on the app it takes me a while to get off of it. Sometimes I do that instead of being productive, which isn’t always good.

What would you say to a young athlete thinking about trying out for the Yorktown wrestling team?

If I had the chance to speak to a young athlete thinking about joining wrestling, I would tell them that it’s the best thing they could do. The sport has prepared me for the life ahead of me.

It’s not the easiest, but it is for sure the most deserving. Knowing it’s only you out there makes the losses hurt, but the wins are amazing.

The losses teach you about yourself mentally and physically. You create a special bond with your teammates because they are going through it all with you, the ups and the downs.

There is always someone who has your back and will help you get through your tough times. Yorktown wrestling is truly a special thing and I recommend that as a young athlete, you should try it out.

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