Big day for Sewanhaka wrestlers

The Sewanhaka East and Sewanhaka West wrestling teams put together solid performances at the Nassau Qualifying Tournament hosted by Division High School last Saturday. Each team crowned an individual champion, and the district will be sending at least 14 kids to the county championship tournament this weekend at Hofstra.

Sewanhaka East was led by Justice Smith, who captured the 170-pound title at the qualifier by defeating Wantagh’s Nick Rogers in the finals.

Erick Vilchez and Joseph Lucito, who helped Carey’s football team to its first-ever Long Island title in the fall, are also headed to the big stage at the Mack Sports Complex. Vilchez was runner-up to Wantagh’s Steve Pambianchi at 138 pounds, while Lucito picked up third place at 160. Sewanhaka East’s Giuseppe Palma (285) reached the final at 285 where he fell to Seaford standout James O’Hagan, a strong favorite to repeat as Nassau Division I champ. Tyler Davis placed third at 138.

Sewanhaka West was led by 160-pound champion Isaah Flaherty, who claimed the title over Division’s Jeff Hili. Tony White took fourth in the same weight class. West also had two runners-up, with Daniel Gianotti at 185, and Antonio Rodriguez at 195. Gianotti was topped by Seaford’s John Lauretti in the finals, while Rodriguez came up a bit short against Division’s Vincent Perricone.

Anthony Dilemme (third place at 152), Kevin Ramirez (fourth at 106), Scott Kerner (fourth at 126), Jesse Lino (fourth at 132), and Clay Carbon (fourth at 170) also advanced to Hofstra for Sewanhaka West.

Sewanhaka also qualified for the county team dual meet playoffs and split a pair of matches. Julian Chung, Kerner, Davis, Dilemme, Lucito, Smith and Palma all picked up victories in a 41-35 decision over North Shore.