Early spark for South Side

While South Side wrestling coach Mike Robinson is counting on six seniors to set the tone, the youngest member of the Cyclones turned some heads early in the season at the Sprig Gardner Tournament hosted by Bellmore-Merrick.

Seventh-grader Kyle Mosher captured the 99-pound championship at the Sprig with a 6-0 decision over Clarke’s Brandon Marohon in the title bout on Dec. 14, capping a big two-day run. “We knew Kyle was coming up to varsity,” Robinson said. “He’s a special individual who’s been wrestling since he’s about 5 years old. His technique is really good, but even more impressive is his mat sense. His wrestling IQ is great.”

Mosher, who opened his varsity career by placing fourth in the Battle at the Beach Tournament hosted by Long Beach on the previous Saturday, was the No. 1 seed in the Sprig and lived up to the top billing. “He beat a tough kid in the finals,” Robinson said. “He mixed it up pretty well throughout the tournament and was never in any danger.”

Mosher is one of three Cyclones ranked in Nassau Division I. He’s currently fifth in what Robinson said is a loaded weight class. “It’s anybody’s game,” Robinson said. “It all comes down to where you’re at towards the end of the season. Kyle’s off to a great start, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Senior Lucas Derkatch, who had a pair of pins and a technical fall victory in the Sprig on the way to a runner-up finish at 152 pounds behind Mepham’s Matt Assael, is ranked sixth in the county at 160. “Lucas made a nice run and was happy to be in the finals,” Robinson said. “He’s one of many seniors we’re counting on to lead the team.”

Another veteran is Kevin Rafferty, who last season came within a victory of reaching the All-County podium as a junior. He missed December with an injury suffered on the football field in the fall, but he’s expected back soon and will compete at either 182 or 195. He’s ranked fourth in Nassau at 195. “Kevin’s a hard-working kid and an important part of our lineup,” Robinson explained.

Senior Brian Kenneally (160 pounds) enjoyed a strong finish to last season, and he’s been able to pick up where he left off. Senior Frank Alaimo (170), who placed third in the Sprig, is one of the team’s hardest workers in the weight room, and the return of senior Stephen Ortiz (132) to the program bolstered the group of middleweights. The coach also likes the potential of senior Alex Weiss, a second-year performer at 220.

“The kids are motivated and practicing hard,” Robinson said. “It’s a good atmosphere.”

South Side is part of Conference 3A, considered by Robinson to be the strongest in the county. Wantagh, Hewlett and Plainedge are all topnotch, he said, and Great Neck North and Division are no pushovers. “We’ll do the best that we possibly can, but we’re up against some great teams,” he said.