| At the Eastern States Wrestling Championships, held recently at Orange Community College, 39 top teams from the Eastern seaboard competed in the gruelling two-day event. Valley Central amassed 217.5 points to finish ahead of Islip(172.5), Wayne(158.5), Danbury, CT,(146.5) and Minisink Valley(144.5). VC had three champions, Lou Ruggirello, who posted a 45 second fall in the finals at 103, Steve Valastro(112) and state-ranked Ricky Scott at 171 pounds. Runner-up Islip finished with six medallists, including sophomore Ryan Patrovich(22-1), who dropped a 12-6 decision, to potential state finalist Mike Roberts(Colonie-2) at 140 pounds. In another exciting final, Darrell Ford(Minisink Valley) edged Morgan Remillard(Peru-7), 10-6, to claim the 119-pound title, both are potential state finalists. LaSalle-2 and Niagara Falls-6 each crowned two champions. Winning for LaSalle were Josh Madison(96) and highly-regarded Dave McCarty(160), winning gold medals for NFalls were Josh Eagan(145) and Nick Strange at 215 pounds. Massapequa-8 finished eighth with 120.5 points and had one champion among its three place-winners. County runner-up Ron Lanzillotta(24-2) garnered the 189-pound title and helped the Chiefs to a top ten finish in the team standings.Other Long Island teams that fared well were Chaminade-C and MacArthur. The Flyers(92.5) finished 13th with three place-winners, including potential state medallist Neil Franciotti(24-1) who finished third at 160 and Section Eight power, the MacArthur Generals(87.5), finished 15th with four place-winners including state-ranked Steve DeLorenzo who finished third at 103 pounds. Hofstra's John Manarte(Sachem HS) a freshman 141-pounder was named CAA Rookie of the Week. He dropped a 4-1 decision to NCAA Champion Teyon Ware(Oklahoma) and now has a 16-12 record. |