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Isaac Michael Nieves- 1983-2004

Former Sidney wrestler Isaac Nieves was killed in the Iraqi town of Khan Bani Saad on Thursday, April 8, 2004. Condolences go out to his family and friends.

Isaac Nieves was a teammate of the Sidney Varsity Wrestling team for four years. As a wrestler he wrestled the weight class 152 and became a co-captian his senior year. He was a hard worker and went beyond what most wrestlers in the wrestling room would normally do. He will be missed for many years to come. Both as a preson and as a wrestler.


McDonough girl drowns in Lake Superior
Copeland in Michigan to train for Olympics



Toni Copeland, the 18-year-old McDonough woman trying to become an Olympic wrestler, drowned Sunday with a friend while they were swimming in Lake Superior.

Copeland was staying at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich., while she trained for the 2008 Olympics.

She was pulled from the lake -- 150 feet from shore and in approximately 9 feet of water -- about 30 minutes after she was reported missing and a possible drowning victim, Marquette City Police said Sunday.

Cassiano Huckabee, 18, of Chicago, a student at Northern Michigan University, drowned at the same time, according to police.

The two were pronounced dead at the Marquette General Hospital where their bodies were transported, detective Captain Mike Angeli said.

Copeland lived with her grandparents, Donald and Deborah Copeland, of Route 220, McDonough, while attending Oxford Academy and Central School.

"She had a bright, bubbly personality," said former Oxford Academy Superintendent Grayson Stevens. "She had one of the nicest smiles I have ever seen. She was a terrific kid, an excellent, absolutely well-rounded student. Monday is going to be a real tough day in the school."

Copeland attended Oxford schools all her life, finishing her junior year in June before leaving Chenango County when given the opportunity to train in Michigan, at Olympic Committee expense, under the guidance of head women's wrestling coach Shannon Gillespie.

The school district's grief counseling services will be available when the high school opens today, said Superintendent Randy Squires.

The U.S. Olympic Training Center is located in Marquette, Mich., on the campus of Northern Michigan University. Copeland was listed by police as being a member of the U.S. Olympic Education Center.

Police said they received the initial call at 2:43 p.m. and dispatched units to the area of Picnic Rocks on Lakeshore Boulevard. Two department divers were transported to the scene by a U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat, and an immediate search began for the two missing swimmers, Angeli said.

"She was a pioneer in the sport and put a fresh face on wrestling in New York state. She was a real success story from our area,"said Oxford coach Scott Green.

Copeland recently placed fifth in the 160-pound open women's world trials and was a two-time runner-up -- including this year -- at the Junior Nationals, held in Fargo, N.D., Green said.



Wrestling lost a true ambassador of our sport yesterday. Oxford's Toni Copeland drown Sunday 10/2 in Marquette , Michigan. She was pulled by a powerful undercurrent in Lake superior. She was a resident at the Olympic Training Center at Northern Michigan Univ.

Toni had many friends around the state , country and world. She will truly be missed. Calling hours will be Thursday, 10/ 6 from 12-3 and 6-9 at the Root funeral home in Greene, NY. Toni will be laid to rest Friday at 11am at Beautiful Plain church, Riverside Dr., Binghamton.

Don and Deb, Toni's grandparents, have requested that in lieu of flowers people make donations to Toni's home club, Shamrock Wrestling. Shamrock will be working with the Copeland to establish the Toni Fund, a scholarship program that will help foster girls wrestling in the Section 4 area of NYS. anyone wishing to donate to this fund should send a check payable to Shamrock Wrestling club to either of the following addresses.

Don and Deb asked me to thank everyone who has called and for the outpouring support from the local and national wrestling community. Feel free to contact me with questions. thank you all again for your thoughts and prayers

Scotty Green
Oxford Wrestling
Shamrock Wrestling
9 Kirkwood Avenue
Binghamton, NY 13901

Copeland's
2886 St. Hwy 220
McDonough, NY
13801