3/3/03
96 Pounds- Freshman J.P. O'Connor (30-3, 105-11) of Oxford-4 could be the favorite here, but will have a tough quarterfinal bout with sophomore Chris Lahn (30-0) of Lindenhurst-11. Another quarterfinal bout could see Ian McManamin (28-6) of Chaminade-CHSAA battle with Al Tropiano (33-5) of East Meadow-8. Others to watch here are 8th grader Zechariah Lange (33-7) of Niagara-Wheatfield-6, Kevin Smith (37-2) of Mexico-3 and Lou Ruggirello of Section Nine power Valley Central.
103 Pounds- Tyler Mumbolo (40-0, 87-7) of Bainbridge G/A-4 appears to be the wrestler to beat this weight class. He could meet senior Joe Moran (31-3, 94-30) of Valley Stream South-8 in a semi-final bout. In an opening bout Ken Torres (27-1) of Brentwood-11 will meet returning state meet qualifier Andrew Vives (37-2) of East Ramapo-1. Also lodged in the upper bracket are Derek Russ (28-6, 75-20) of Chaminade-CHSAA and highly touted Errol Scheid (36-2) of Canastota-3. Also in the hunt will be returning state meet qualifier Josh LaSalle of Beekmantown-7 and Pat Hagerty of Attica-5.
112 Pounds- This weight class is loaded as two-time state champion sophomore Troy Nickerson (34-1, 124-6) of Chenango Forks- 4 is in the upper bracket. Also in his bracket are OSW winner Karl Parsons (27-5, 108-25) of Mt. Saint Michael's and returning state place-winner tough junior Jason Lapham of Beekmantown-7. In the lower bracket are state runner-ups Tom Magnani (33-1) of Islip-11 and junior Scott Prutzman of Valley Central-9. They could meet in a semifinal showdown. Also in contention will be state place-winner Matt DeLorenzo (34-3, 109-17) of MacArthur-8, state meet qualifier Kyle Ingraham of Canandaigua-5 and senior Ryan Hannigan (35-2, 127-23) of Averill Park-2.
119 Pounds- The lower bracket here has four matmen that could win the title, including state runner-up sophomore Gregor Gillespie of Webster-5. He will face the winner of junior Shawn Riley (32-1) of Huntington-11 vs. senior Josh LeVea (34-4) of Fulton-3 after their opening bout. Also here is highly regarded Steve Wiktorek (40-2) of Johnson City-4. Emerging from the upper bracket will most likely be the winner of the Darrell Ford of Minisink Valley-9 and sixth place-finisher, OSW winner Jamie Sgaglione (32-3, 91-20) of Plainedge-8.
125 Pounds- Top ranked Lorne McCallum (36-0, 133-23) of Lancaster-6, a third place-finisher last year is favored here. He will face either two-time sectional champion Gabriel Estevez (40-1, 129-16) of Baldwinsville-8 or MOW winner tough Stephen Hromada (36-0, 120-11) of Hills East-11. This should be one of the top bouts in the semi-finals with the winner most likely to capture the state crown. Lodged in the lower bracket are returning state meet qualifiers, Mike Colagiovanni (25-2, 103-6) of Mahopac-1, Darrin Mima of Kingston-9, junior Chris Memoli (30-6, 78-15) of Chaminade-CHSAA, tough Zach Franklin (42-0, 142-16) of Tioga-4 and Matt Stuart (29-3, 174-21) of Colonie-2. Look for Franklin to advance to the championship and face the McCallum-Hromada winner in a frenetic final. |
