Wrestling

‘K’ day

Retiring Monticello wrestling coach Ed Kaufmann honored on senior night as fiery Monties down Goshen

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY — Great teachers and coaches have an enormous impact on the life of their charges. Many recount how one or two changed their lives.

Monticello’s Ed Kaufmann fits that mold. After 32 years of devoted service, Coach ‘K’ will be retiring this June, leaving behind the wrestling program he has devoted himself to for decades.

Monticello wrestling has had its share of glory, including Section Nine championships won by Mike Kikendall (1994) Marcus Hutchins (1990, 1991) and Mike Davis (1985). But more importantly, it has been a training ground for character development, perseverance and leadership.

Monticello wrestlers have told this writer time and again how Kaufmann inspired them to stay the course, work harder and build something in themselves that would endure long after their wrestling years.

February 5 was Senior Night at Monticello High School and in addition to honoring seniors Antonio Cruz (152), Jerry Taggart (119) and Richard Graham (189), Coach “K” received the accolades he so richly deserves.

Athletic director Doug Murphy introduced Kaufmann and touted his devoted service. Kaufmann then introduced a number of former wrestlers. Their presence was their way of honoring the man who has had such a profound impact on their lives. On hand were standouts Alexis Bruno and Rodney Stickle, from the 2006-07 team. Members of Kaufmann’s 1991 10-2 team were on hand as well. They included Jack Trebilcock, Mike Cardo, son Ed Kaufmann and John Sperber.

Kaufmann was joined by junior varsity coach Justin Fenichel, modified coach Kyle Hoar, booster club president Jackie D’Abbraccio, booster club member Caryn Waichman and his wife, Nancy, who has served as his scorekeeper.

Kaufmann thanked people who have supported the wrestling program “which I hope will continue for another 34 years.”

D’Abbraccio extolled Kaufmann. “He taught me and I am so glad that my sons had a chance to have him as a coach.”

Anthony D’Abbraccio (160) set the tone for the evening by pinning Brandon Kearns. He subsequently took first at the Nanuet Tourney.

What followed were fired-up performances by Panther grapplers, paying homage to their coach in the best way they knew how.

Monticello dominated Goshen (1-16), evincing the grit and effort that Kaufmann has inspired. “They really came out to wrestle tonight. We talked about how important it was to set the tone and for the seniors to have a good farewell, and the kids responded.”

Taggart and Graham pinned adversaries and Cruz put up a great fight against Anthony Papa. Monticello wrestlers cheered. It still gives Kaufmann “that jolt of excitement,” even after all these years.

This season will end soon, but the memories and the lessons linger. This year’s team, and the legions that came before, will always be proud to say they wore the Panther uniform and that they called Ed Kaufmann their coach.