SUFFOLK COUNTY TEAM PREVIEW

By Jim and Tony Nordland, The Mat Slap

www.thematslap.com

The team race should be among Islip, Huntington,  Amityville ,Riverhead and Sachem.  Islip coach Joe Patrovich could see his Bucs claim their first Suffolk title and could emerge with two county champions. Two underclassmen, sophomore Tom Magnani (26-1) at 112 and his freshman son Ryan Patrovich (30-0) could win titles. Others that could garner medals could be the Wade brothers, Lance (96) and Chris (130), along with League IV Most Pins winner Dan Petroro (140), Joe Esposito (152) and Gino Bartoli at 160 pounds. Petroro and Bartoli earned all-county honors last season.

Huntington wrestlers always peak for the county tournament and this year should be no exception. Coach Lou Giani now in his 33rd season hopes his Blue Devils can capture their ninth Section Eleven title and has four potential winners. Tough junior Shawn Riley (28-1) is top ranked at 119, junior Shaheim Bradshaw (140), sophomore Jack Sullivan (189) and junior Pierre Delva (25-1) at 215 could win and increase their total of 66 individual Suffolk champions. Other league place-winners that will challenge are Brian Lifson (96), Dan Kapner (112) and Jon Wagner at 125 pounds. Amityville has dominated League V this season and coaches, Billy Maisel, now in his fifth season and longtime assistant Jerry Pollack, in his 28th season feel this could be the Warriors year. They point to unbeaten senior leaders Romaine Malcolm (27-0) at 135 and Mike Fraser (29-0) at 152 to lead the squad. Both will be tough to beat. Other support should come from Glen Knox (23-3) at 119, tough Charlie Taylor (25-4) at 130, Jamaal Jackson (22-4) at 140 and highly touted Tony Copeland (28-2) at 145 pounds. Amityville's last county title was in 1962. Riverhead has been on a resurgence since last year's third-place team finish at the county meet. Coach Rocky Davey's Blue Waves have won all their duals and tournaments thus far and hope they can add the county team championship to the list. The underclassmen laden team will be led by four league champions; Aaron Tyte (103), Chris Raynor (119), Micah Brown (152) and team leader John Capwell at 160 pounds. Other possible medalists include Kevin Darcy (112) and league runner-up Chris Darrow at 125 pounds. Sachem crowned one league champion but has ten qualifiers in the tournament. Coach Jack Mahoney hopes his Flaming Arrows can win by having the most county medalists. Leading the squad will be senior League I champion all-county Tom Gossweiler (20-5) at 189, league runner-ups Cliff Burwell (135), all-county Rick Caravaggio (145), junior James Sykes (171) and sophomore Ken Kennedy at 275 pounds. Others that could be among the top six award-winners are freshman Chris Iorio (103) and tough junior Scott Zeffiro at 152 pounds.

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