Wrestling at Locust Valley High School, Carl DeStefanis stands out as the epitome of the athlete a coach is blessed to mentor. Raised by supportive parents, Carl is the youngest of five boys all of whom wrestled at Locust Valley. Each one was a champion but Carl reached the highest level in 1984 when he captured the NCAA Division I title in his senior year, as the captain of the Penn State wrestling team. His three-year high school varsity record was 86-2.

As a competitor, Carl’s high school wrestling career culminated with two consecutive New York Championships, and he carried his winning ways throughout his four years at Penn State. Rich Lorenzo, his coach extolled all the positive qualities and values he saw in Carl. Always unselfish, his wrestling prowess, respectful personality, and model citizenship earned him the respect and admiration of rival competitors and coaches. Hard work, commitment, responsibility and loyalty are values that guided his path through high school, university, and to this day as a parent.

In February on 2012, the DeStefanis family was officially named the “First Family” of wrestling in Nassau County by the NWCA. The presentation was made during the county championship finals. Receiving this award spoke not only to the family’s wrestling achievements but also to their character and integrity as they represented their school and Nassau County wrestling. Carl is one of those rare individuals who, through their will to succeed, leaves a lasting mark.

Carl has always given back to wrestling through his volunteer clinics at Locust Valley, multiple wrestling camps, and by giving motivational talks to many young wrestlers and PE classes at Locust Valley. An, he has always remembered his wrestling roots that lie in Nassau County where he is widely respected by rival competitors and coaches.

We cannot imagine a more deserving candidate for the Hall of Fame honors than Carl DeStefanis.