Lynbrook wrestlers continue surge

Lynbrook entered last Saturday’s Nassau Division I wrestling qualifying tournament with a conference championship in tow and parlayed its momentum with a pair of champions and four runners-up.

The Owls racked up 250 points, second to only host Long Beach, the top-ranked program in the state, and qualified 14 for the county individual championships at Hofstra this weekend. Juniors Joe Becker (106 pounds) and Matt Renz (285) finished atop their respective weight classes to lead a performance that exceeded coach Rich Renz’s expectations.

“We had an incredible day,” Rich Renz said. “We came in hoping eight or nine kids would advance to counties. To see 14 get through and a few more make it as wild cards is great. Everyone wrestled up to their potential.”

Becker is peaking at the perfect time, the coach noted, and will take a record of 27-5 into the county tournament. He pinned Hewlett’s Sam Warshall in the finals of the qualifier in less than a minute. “Joe placed third in the county last season and he’s a top contender again,” coach Renz said.

Matt Renz had a limited regular season and entered the qualifier with only a handful of matches under his belt due to a collarbone injury. He had a pin in the semifinals and led all the way in a 7-3 decision over Long Beach’s Jeffrey Alvarez in the finals. “I think Matt can place high in the county,” the coach said of his son. “He’s 100 percent healthy and his body hasn’t been through the grind of a full season.”

Lynbrook had four others reach the finals in the qualifier, including senior Matt Swanson at 132. Ranked No. 2 in the state behind Long Beach’s three-time defending state champion Jacori Teemer, Swanson, with a record of 35-3, is looking for another meeting with Teemer, a sophomore who took the qualifier with a 7-4 decision. “I believe 132 is the toughest weight class in the county,” Renz said. “The expectations and hope for Matt is he faces Teemer again in the county final and at worst gets a wild card to the state tournament.”

Sophomore Tyler Heaney reached the qualifier final at 126 and figures to be a handful at the county tournament. Heaney, who missed a month with a fractured hand, is a scrappy and fierce competitor who’s just starting to hit stride, Renz said. “He’s going to be in the mix simply because of his toughness,” he noted.

Junior Justin Harvin (182) and sophomore Justin Weinberger (120) were the Owls’ two biggest surprises last Saturday. Both reached the finals. Harvin won three matches on the day, losing only to Long Beach standout Tyreek Bromley, while Weinberger continued his momentum from some late regular-season success. 

Two freshmen also pushed through — Sean Curley (fourth at 99 pounds) and Kyle Serro (third at 152.) Juniors Matt Ferrante (113) and Garrett Handel (195) also took third in the qualifier after playing significant roles in Lynbrook’s undefeated run (5-0) to the Conference 4A title.

“We finished 10th in the county last season and now we’re aiming for higher,” Renz said.