| 2005-2006 LONG ISLAND WRESTLING TEAM PREVIEW |
| By Jim & Tony Nordland Islip HS appears to be the top team on Long Island as they captured their first Suffolk County team title last season, tallied 275.5 points (a Suffolk record) , crowned three state champions, which tied the NYS record and were declared the unofficial number-one dual squad in the Empire State. They will be led by reigning state champion senior Ryan Patrovich (170-12, career mark) at 160 pounds and junior Tyler Mashkow, who finished fifth at the state meet, he will compete at 112 pounds. Coach Joe Patrovich, now in his tenth season and able assistant Steve Arey should have the Bucs ready and will have a balanced line-up. County runners-up Paul Vaeth (140) and Lance Wade (145) return, along with county place-winner Christian Wintons (275) and Joe Maculaso at 152 pounds. MacArthur HS won both the Nassau County Team Championship and dual-meet title for the fifth consecutive year and hope for a six-peat this season. Coach Howie Greenblatt, now in his 20th season will have the Generals ready for the challenge. Returning state runner-up senior Mike Daly (112) and defending county champion senior Dan Calvacca (145) lead their squad. Former Nassau champion, 2004 winner Steve DeLorenzo (130), along with Greg Popko (119) and Brian Meredith (171), all were county medallists last year, will vie for county titles this season. Also contributing for the Generals will be Dom Tarallo (125), Nick Monaco (135) and Scott O'Donnell at 171 pounds. Massapequa HS will be right there to challenge for both the dual-meet title and the Nassau County Championships, especially this being the final season for legendary Nassau coach Gary Mims. Mims begins his 27th season and hopes that the Chiefs can capture both titles, their last county crown was in 1999. The Chiefs return 2004 county runner-up sophomore Shane Strumwasser (119), along with county place-winners; Zach Spero (135), Alex Varron (160) and Dan Bittner at 215 pounds. Other experienced matmen give the Chiefs a formidable squad, tough Mike Doria (125) Kevin Driscoll (130), Kevin Arcuri (135) and Andrew Mundo at 152 pounds. East Islip HS finished tenth at the 2005 county meet and coach Guy Leggio hopes his Redmen will be amongst the top five at the Suffolk Championships. Defending county champion Dave Ingram finished fifth at the state meet and earned Junior All-American status as he placed fifth at the Junior Championships last spring at Cleveland, Ohio, he will compete at 135 or 140 pounds. Kevin Vavricka (171/189) was a county place-winner and other top grapplers include, Jake Benedetto (103), Billy Chambers (152), Cameron Gee (160) and Ian MacIneirghe at 215 pounds. East Meadow HS finished fourth at the Nassau Championships and coach Tom Reynolds, now in his eleventh season, will put a solid team on the mat again this season. The Jets are led by two returning county finalists; junior Tom Rispoli (112/119) and Sal Hanna at 152 pounds, along with standouts; Jimmy Pannallo (96), John Kleiber (112) Bob Abbate (138) and Rob Rutkowski at 215 pounds. Commack HS had a solid squad last season, as they placed eighth at the Suffolk Tournament and this season they should have a balanced line-up. Coach Bill DeSario, now in his sixth season with the Cougars has reigning Suffolk champion and NYS place-winner Mike Piccirillo at either 119 or 125 pounds and all-county Mike Fennell (135) along with, Anthony Cavallaro (96), Greg Fiorvanti (145), Anthony Milo (189) and Andrew Watrud at 275 pounds. Brentwood HS has potential county champion with Ricardo Gomez at either 96 or 103, he finished third last season. Other top prospects for the coach Ralph Napolitano and the Indians are Pepe Garcia (103), all-county Shawn Hainey (119), tough Martin Irizarry (125) and Branden Toro-Segara at 140. Sayville HS should be amongst the top teams in League V this season and feature a well balanced dual meet squad. Coach Gary Pesko has veterans Dave Bachy (145/152), Harry Grimm (171) and Zach Gallo at 215. The Golden Flashes also point to Travis Pitre (103), Andy Rodriquez (112), Corey Sullivan (119), AJ Maier (130) and Mike Haas at 140 pounds. Plainedge HS was fifth at the Nassau Championships and are led by defending county titlist Paul Cervini at 119 and his brother Rocky at 135 pounds. Coach Rob Shaver also has Matt Rich (96), Jesse Sgaglione (103), Ken Coder (152) and Joe Minnici at 160 pounds. Bellmore JFK HS returns two all-county matmen; Mike Breman (119) and potential county champion Mike Maher, who finished third at 130 pounds, this year he will compete at 140/145. Also adding balance to the Cougars line-up will be Zach Cogen (112), Dominic Russo (160) and James Mills at 171 pounds. Long Beach HS returns two-time Nassau champion and two-time NYS place-winner junior PJ Gillespie who will move up to either 119 or 125 pounds. Other outstanding grapplers for the Marines are county runner-up Eduardo Delgado (135/140), Dane Davis (130) and Gonzala Farina at 145 pounds. Rocky Point HS has two returning county place-winners, Jeff Piccolo (145/152) and Larry LoRusso at 171, along with top lightweight, Lou Volpe at either 96 or 103 pounds. Wantagh HS might have the best lightweights in Nassau County, with two all-county grapplers; Paul Liquori (103) and John Greisheimer (transfer from Oceanside) at 112, both are freshmen and could win county titles. Other top prospects for the Warriors are tough Steven Bonanno (112/119), Darren Bock (160) and Kevin Jansen at 171 pounds. Garden City HS has two potential county finalists with Dave Foxen (119) and Sean Locurto at 189, both earned all-county status last year, also to watch is freshman Danny LoFrese at 96 pounds. Shoreham Wading River HS is back in Division I and will be led by two-time Sufflok champion and state medallist, junior Corey Jantzen at 125 pounds. Other highly-regarded matmen for coach Don Jantzen and the Wildcats are TJ Neidhardt (96), Steven Keith (103), Zach Colgan (112) and Keith Butler at 152 pounds. Click here to continue... |
 |
| P.J. Gillespie (left) |