Massapequa Wrestling Aims for State Title with Depth

Nassau County champions prepare for Division I dual meet finals in Syracuse

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:47pm

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Massapequa High School's wrestling team, the Nassau County champions, are gearing up for the New York Division I dual meet finals this weekend in Syracuse. The team, led by head coach Mike McCann, is confident in their depth as a key advantage, with several second and third-tier wrestlers capable of reaching the podium. The Chiefs are led by senior standouts like Luke Anderson, Joe Brooks, Mike Murphy, and James Mulhern, as well as talented underclassmen like freshman 110-pounder John Tutku, who won a state title in middle school.

Why it matters

Winning a state title is a chief concern for the Massapequa wrestling program, which last claimed the top prize in 2019. The team's depth and balance across weight classes could give them an edge over 11 of the best programs in New York as they compete for the Division I dual meet championship.

The details

Massapequa's roster features 45 wrestlers, allowing head coach Mike McCann to constantly shuffle his lineup without losing competitiveness. 'We have second, third-tier guys who are potential podium guys,' McCann said. 'We never even wrestled the same lineup two times this year.' The team's senior leaders, including Luke Anderson, Joe Brooks, Mike Murphy, and James Mulhern, have also brought 'great chemistry' to the program.

  • Massapequa will compete in the New York Division I dual meet finals this weekend in Syracuse.

The players

Mike McCann

The head coach of the Massapequa High School wrestling team.

Luke Anderson

A senior wrestler for Massapequa, competing at 126 pounds.

Joe Brooks

A senior wrestler for Massapequa, competing at 157 pounds.

Mike Murphy

A senior wrestler for Massapequa, competing at 165 pounds.

James Mulhern

A senior wrestler for Massapequa, competing at 285 pounds.

John Tutku

A freshman wrestler for Massapequa, competing at 110 pounds and a former state champion in middle school.

Kai Tiringer

A junior wrestler for Massapequa, competing at 150 pounds and a former county champion.

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What they’re saying

“I think we're in a good position. I'm predicting that we will battle and we will leave it all on the mat, empty the gas tank.”

— Mike McCann, Head Coach

“We have second, third-tier guys who are potential podium guys. We never even wrestled the same lineup two times this year.”

— Mike McCann, Head Coach

“I think we're definitely in the conversation.”

— Mike McCann, Head Coach

What’s next

Massapequa will compete in the New York Division I dual meet finals this weekend in Syracuse, facing 11 of the best wrestling programs in the state.

The takeaway

Massapequa's depth and balance across weight classes could give them a key advantage as they pursue a state title, with several underclassmen and second-tier wrestlers capable of reaching the podium alongside the team's experienced senior leaders.