When his team at partial strength managed to muscle past Tottenville, 37-32, in a non-conference dual meet Jan. 11, Baldwin wrestling coach Jim Murphy had his final piece of proof the Bruins were primed for a postseason run.
With three of its top seniors away at the Eastern States Classic tournament in Loch Sheldrake, Baldwin’s rally to edge the Pirates showcased the moxie of a squad that would go on to turn heads at the Section VIII Div. 1 dual meet team championship prelims at Clarke High School on Jan. 17, as the unseeded Bruins took down Glen Cove and then fifth-seeded Manhasset to reach the quarterfinals.
“These guys have shown they can step up,” said Murphy, whose team is 5-1 on the dual meet season, having finished runner-up in Conference A2 at 4-1 behind league-winner Long Beach (8-1, 7-1), against whom the Bruins logged their only loss. “I’m very proud of this team. Everyone did their job [at the team tournament]. It wasn’t just our top guys, it was a whole team effort.”
All three wrestlers from Baldwin’s Loch Sheldrake contingent won out by falls at the prelims. Matthew Kong – who is 5-0 with four pins in the ongoing regular season – bumped up a weight class for two wins at 132, while Jahlil Treasure (4-1) notched two falls bumping to 152, and Paul Wehr (5-0) tallied a pair of pins at his usual 126. Bruins senior Shea Booth (5-1, 4 falls) also pinned his Glen Cove and Manhasset opponents, winning twice Jan. 17 at 220.
“Those guys really turned it on,” Murphy said. “Our stars didn’t lose once. We especially got a big day from Shea, who really came through against some tough wrestlers.”