South Side off to positive start

With a rugged Conference 3A schedule on the horizon, South Side’s wrestlers hit the ground running under new coach Mike Robinson with promising performances in the Uniondale, Sprig Gardner and Cyclone tournaments.

“It’s a young and growing program,” said Robinson, who previously coached at Baldwin. “South Side has always had some tough wrestlers. Our numbers might be a little low, but the talent level his high.”

Robinson’s working with a roster of 21 and said he’s been impressed by the team’s work ethic. “The kids have a great attitude and got right to work on the first day of practice,” he said.

In their first action under Robinson, the Cyclones finished a respectable sixth in the 11-team Knights Classic at Uniondale Dec. 3 and had 99-pound sophomore Ryan Holzgruber take home a title and juniors Mike Petrone (113) and Thomas Cozier (120) placed second.

The following weekend, the Cyclones crowned three individual champions at the Sprig Gardner Tournament hosted by Bellmore-Merrick. Holzgruber won convincingly, Petrone prevailed over Calhoun’s Eric Hecker, 4-3, for the 113-pound title, and senior William Nelson rolled to the 160-pound crown.

In last Saturday’s Cyclone Tournament won by East Islip, Petrone reached the finals and shared the Mike Manzella Award with Chaminade’s Pete Rooney.

Holzgruber, Petrone and junior Sam Modico are South Side’s lightweight sparks. Holzgruber and Petrone train together every day at practice, Robinson said, and get after each other at mat speed. “They push each other to another level and are off to great starts,” Robinson said. “Their styles are a little different so it’s good they work together. Ryan’s tough to handle when he’s got a hold, and Mike’s got a quick shot that gets him a lot of takedowns.”

Cozier is the team’s lone returning All-County placewinner from last season. He was sixth in Nassau Division I at 96 pounds and is likely to be at 113 come February, Robinson said. “Thomas has a lot of strengths as a wrestler and he’s trying to make a name for himself at 120 for now,” Robinson said. “Wrestling up a weight will only make him better in the long run. He’s looking to get back on the All-County podium.”

Nelson’s first-place finish at the Sprig was the first of his career and something Robinson said will give him confidence moving forward. “William has a blue-collar mentality and is one of our leaders,” Robinson said. “He’s going to push for a spot in the county tournament, and I’d expect nothing less. He can get there.”

At times, Nelson will compete at 152 and sophomore Kevin Rafferty, who held his own at the varsity level last season, will go at 160. Robinson is also counting on steady contributions from seniors Andrew Weber (145) and Harry Dantona (285), as well as junior Paul Wolfrom (126.)

Wantagh, Plainedge, Division, Hewlett and Roslyn comprise the conference schedule.