Seniors lead way for Oceanside

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Oceanside’s wrestling team has two important tasks this season according to head coach Julio Flores. Winning as much as possible still remains a priority, and the Sailors’ group of returning seniors should give them an opportunity to remain competitive. But, with no juniors on the roster, developing young athletes will also be a high priority.  

“We’re working really hard with our freshman and sophomores,” Flores said. “They’re looking really good, and in a couple of years we’re going to be making some noise. So our goal is to keep this team together.”

The rebuilding process is underway for Oceanside, which suffered some growing pains in the early going. The Sailors began the season with a heartbreaking one-point loss to South Side. Then they fell 52-28 in a rather disappointing meet against rival Baldwin, a team they had performed well against in recent years.

“We expected to do better than we have,” Flores said. “Our four-year wrestlers are really looking good. They are doing their part. It’s just tough when you have such a young team.”

The beginning wasn’t all trying for Oceanside, as several of the team’s wrestlers had successful outings at a tournament Dec. 17 at South Side. Four Sailors reached the tourney finals, while a few others made it to the semifinals round. 

One of the highlights of the tournament came when Oceanside seniors Malique Hyde and Maquie Hyde faced off against each other in the finals. Malique came out on top in the match by a 15-14 score. 

“It was very interesting to see to twin brothers wrestling for a championship,” Flores said. “It was kind of weird and fun at the same time.”

The Hyde brothers, who wrestle in the 120 and 126-pound weight classes, are just two of the talented seniors on the roster. Fourth-year wrestler John Cannella has impressed with his play so far this season, and according to Flores has the potential to be one of the county’s biggest surprises this season. 

“He’s like a sleeping giant,” he said. “Some people around the area know that he’s really tough, but a lot of people haven’t really seen him wrestle. He could do some serious damage this year.”

Senior Andy Cuba wrestles at the 152-pound weight class, and has been a difference maker, despite being in just his second year with the squad. “He’s very tough,” Flores said. “He’s grasped on to the sport very quickly and his performance level has come such a long way since last year.”

Also clocking in around 152 pounds is Rob Espinal, a wrestler with big goals in mind for this season. “Rob knows he needs to do his thing this year, and is working really hard to get there,” Flores said. “He’s really pushing himself in practice to be all-county.”

Other wrestlers to watch this season for Oceanside include promising 106-pound sophomore Dan Fishman and senior heavyweight Dylan Amirudden.

The Sailors visit Farmingdale this Friday in a league meet set for a 5:30 p.m.