FALLSBURG - After a short-lived attempt to bring a wrestling team back to Fallsburg Central School District seven years ago, this year saw a solid effort that should sustain a competitive program for years to come. That's good news for Superintendent Dr. Ivan Katz, who was an outstanding wrestler from Monticello, in college and later as a qualifier for the 1988 U.S.A. Olympic Trials. His personal journey provides a good backdrop for the renewal of wrestling in the District.

When asked why he thought wrestling was a great opportunity for FCSD students, Dr. Katz reminisced about his own beginnings at age 12 in middle school. His first of many lessons was how alone a wrestler is when they step on the mat. There is no place to hide, all eyes are upon you. It's great to have your team cheering for you, but it's just you and your competition on the mat.

In high school, he began to see some joy in wrestling. He was a two-time OCIAA champion and was runner up in Section IX. During his second year at the University at Albany, Dr. Katz fell more in love with the sport and gave serious thought to competing for a spot on the 1988 Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling team.

The road to qualifying for the 1988 Olympic Trials was filled with bumps and some bruises for the 8 time All-American. Dr. Katz has often said. “If it wasn't for the sport of wrestling, I would never have become a school superintendent.” As a wrestler, you learn to develop your skills and self-confidence as you push yourself forward. These are some of the ideas he shared with Fallsburg fifth-grade teacher David Mellan.

David was a wrestler at Eldred High School when Dr. Katz was Superintendent in the Eldred Central School District. In his first year at Benjamin Cosor Elementary School (BCES), he spoke with Dr. Katz about resuming the wrestling program. Mr. Mellan knew that Donovan Flores, a custodian at BCES, had wrestled at Tri-Valley School District, throughout Junior and Senior High School. When David offered him the chance to help build the program, he jumped at the opportunity.

In 2020, FCSD fielded two teams, Varsity and Modified. The Varsity Team coached by Mr. Mellan had 14 members; the Modified team, coached by Mr. Flores, had 8 kids. They worked closely and supported each other in practices. Because several girls wanted to participate, Mr. Mellan enlisted the support of Teacher's Aide, Yelyzaveta Levandovych (Liza), to work with them. Liza is very active in martial arts and enjoyed her time with the wrestling teams. All the coaches were pleased and proud when ninth-grader Synaida Wheeler became the first ever Section IX Female Division wrestling champion. Coach Flores brought the Modified Team out to watch her wrestle for the championship.

Support for wrestling was apparent from all the parents and students that cheered on the team during meets. One of the biggest supporters is FJSHS School Resource Officer Phil Brooks, who wrestled in high school, and helps the coaches whenever he can.

To sustain the program and generate interest in the sport, Mellan and Flores created an after-school program for wrestlers that was meeting Monday-Thursday at BCES. There were two days with 25 fifth graders; and two days with 25 sixth graders. The three adults were very busy at each session, teaching the sport and helping get students into condition. Wrestling has a bright future in Fallsburg.