Jets navigate difficult schedule

The early results for East Meadow may not look pretty on the wrestling mats, as the Jets have lost dual meets to perennial powers MacArthur and Wantagh, but the long-term goals outweigh any instant success as far as the coaching staff is concerned. “We made the schedule tough but good,” Jets coach Chris Critchley said. “We figured it was in the best interest of the team.”

Even with the early run against some of Nassau County’s strongest teams, East Meadow posted solid results in a pair of early December tournaments. Senior Andrew Danziger, a two-time All-County honoree, returns as a key cog in the lineup and already owns a pair of tournament championships. He defeated Freeport’s Oscar Bruce, 8-1, in 215-pound finals at the Bruins Cup at Baldwin high school on Dec. 11, and pinned Uniondale’s Elijah Shabazz at the 3:36 mark seven days earlier to win the same weight class at the Knights Classic. And in the dual meet against Wantagh, Danziger also knocked off Tom Hall, who ended last season ranked higher in the county’s, in a 3-2 decision.

Senior 125-pounder Chris Dolan, like Danziger, has advanced to the finals in both tournaments and because of his unorthodox style is one of the more interesting wrestlers to watch according to Critchley. “He has no problem going to his back and he’s able to move away,” Critchley said. “When he’s losing, he takes big risks and a lot of times they work out. He might throw a reverse and [his opponent] ends up on his back. The early victories build confidence and it’s how you respond to that feeling [of winning that matters]. We’re seeing him start to put more intensity into his workouts.”

Senior Steve Rispoli, another two-time All-County wrestler, has just returned to the mats, and senior Sal Vallone jump-started his season with a championship at the Knights Classic and a third place finish at the Bruins Cup at 103. Junior Vinny Pannullo has moved up to 112 pounds after enjoying success in the same weight class as Vallone, and the transition has been smooth in the early stages of the season. Pannullo lost a 7-0 decision in the battle for third place at the Bruins Cup but knocked off Uniondale’s Adrian Berry, 10-8, to earn the title at the Knights Classic. 

Sophomore Mike Tropiano (145 pounds), Juniors Nolan Travis (152) and Evan Pantofel (160) also placed in the two December tournaments.

With Rispoli now back in the fold and several younger wrestlers, including freshman 96-pounder Brandon Cohen showing promise, the pace is starting to pick up for the Jets. “Our objective is to win the conference and at the end of the year, be healthy and have a full lineup,” Critchley said. “And we want to be stronger and healthier at the Dual Meet Playoffs.”