Bruins take aggressive approach

New Baldwin wrestling coach Jim Murphy doesn’t enjoy defensive struggles on the mat.

“I’m trying to get the kids to focus on being aggressive and putting points on the board,” Murphy said after the Bruins placed a solid fourth in the 13-team Freeport Tournament last Saturday. “Low-scoring matches are boring,” he added. “I don’t want them to worry too much about winning or losing yet. I want them to go out there with the idea that if someone scores against them, they should try to score right back.”

Baldwin did plenty of team scoring at Freeport, racking up 116.5 points to finish behind champion Commack, East Meadow and the host Red Devils. Senior Dylan Cohen paced the Bruins by taking home his second tournament title in as many weeks, beating East Meadow’s Mike Tropiano, 5-4, in an exciting 152-pound final. Juniors Ryan Brown (126) and Quinn Knauer (145) were both runners-up.

“I’m pretty excited,” Murphy said. “The kids are working hard and seeing results. We brought in some of the best teams on Long Island to compete in our tournament and it allowed us to see where we measure up. I think we’re going to be a pretty good team by the end of the season.”

Cohen, who reached the All-County podium last season, finishing fifth, was dominant in the Bruins Cup Tournament Dec. 9-10 and topped off a run to the top with a 9-7 decision over Longwood’s Corey Rasheed in the final. He won the Steve Shippos Most Outstanding Wrestler award. “A lot can happen in the tournament, but Dylan has what it takes to be a county champion,” Murphy said. “He’s got the skills and he’s got the confidence.”

After taking third in the Bruins Cup, Knauer made an impressive run to the final at Freeport and will make a push for the All-County podium, Murphy said. “Quinn has all the potential in the world,” he said. “He’s experienced, and if he stays focused he can accomplish great things.”

Junior Victor Robinson, who will see action at 132 and 138 pounds along with fellow junior Enrigue DeJesus, placed third at Freeport after a fifth-place finish in the Bruins Cup. Both worked especially hard during the offseason, Murphy said, and are keys to the middle of the lineup.

Scrappy, tough and experienced, sophomore Sal Trigona (113) and senior Austin Valenti (120) are two lightweights Murphy is counting on to “help a lot.” Both won the county qualifying tournament last season at Division.

Senior Patrick Dillon, who is hoping to join the lineup shortly after recovering from injuries suffered during the football season, will provide a boost at 170. In the upper weights, Murphy likes what he sees in sophomore Steven Blount (third at Freeport, fifth in Bruins Cup at 195), seniors Dallas Bazemore (fourth at Freeport at 220), Luckney Lambert and Reginald Nembhar, junior Josh Odam and sophomore Ramiro Perez.

Baldwin has Farmingdale, Hempstead, Hicksville, Oceanside and Port Washington as Conference 1B foes.