VSN second in host tourney

After winning the Ralph Jansson Tournament last winter for the first time in program history, Valley Stream North settled for a runner-up finish to Seaford in this year’s event held Dec. 17.

The Spartans racked up 176 team points and had four finalists, including 285-pound champion Anthony Iuliano. Seaford totaled 247 points to win it, and VSN coach Tom Maddock felt the margin should’ve been much closer.

“We need to wrestle smarter moving forward,” Maddock said. “We got beat in a bunch of matches we were ahead going into the third period.”

Iuliano, a sophomore, pinned his way through the tournament and capped it with a victory over senior teammate Ryan McGoey, who got off to a strong start as a newcomer to the team. Junior Mike Winslow, a returning starter making a leap from 99 pounds to 113, reached the finals, as did senior Akil Champagne (195), who lost a tough 10-6 decision to Sayville’s Hunter Selts.

“We brought back a lot of kids, but some grew into the same weight classes so we’re going to have a few holes in dual meets,” said Maddock, who last season guided the Spartans to a conference championship. 

Champagne, who opened the season with a third-place finish in the Bethpage Tournament, is one of five Spartans with experience on the big stage of the county championships at Hofstra. He was there last February and came within one win of the All-County (top six) podium. “He definitely has strength and talent, and All-County potential,” Maddock said.

Senior Rob Giuliante, a candidate to be at 126 or 132 pounds for the season’s final weeks, is another returning county qualifier looking to get back to Hofstra. “He has a non-stop motor and can turn up the pressure when he’s on top,” Maddock said. Giuliante went 2-2 in the Jansson with losses in OT and by a point.

Senior Abdul Siddiqui (120) and sophomore Adam Amin (106) are returning county qualifiers and off to positive starts. They were fourth and third, respectively, in the Jansson. Junior Ryan Sabini (170) is also looking to get back to Hofstra.

While Joe Gisonda (132) fell short of reaching the county tournament last season, he was there the previous campaign and is looking to bounce back and have a strong sophomore showing. “He wrestles year-round and is a talented all-around athlete,” Maddock said. “He can get back to counties.”

The coach said senior Nick Romano brings leadership and has the ability to win plenty of matches at 160, where junior John Ruddick, the quarterback of VSN’s football team, will also see some action.

The Spartans are also counting on a handful of returning starters to get the job done, including junior Theo Savitt at 132, senior Mike Veltri at 145, senior Kevin Perdomo at 152, junior Nick Tartamella at 182, and senior Brandon Serrado at 195. Contributions are also expected from senior Anantham Rajeev (138), sophomore AJ Romano (145), sophomore Joe Munson (152), and senior Jason Murphy (170.)

VSN opens defense of its conference title this week against North Shore.