Bellmore schools thrive in Sprig

Kennedy (280.5 points) took second place in the nine-team field on the strength of 14 placewinners including a pair of champions, while Calhoun (125) boasted not only the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler, senior 145-pounder Mac Malderelli, who joined Pirates' senior Danny Sutherland (160 pounds) in sharing the honor, but also the grappler with the most pins in the least amount of time. Senior 119-pounder Anthony Abidin had three in a total time of 6:07.

"It was a total team effort and definitely one of the best things I've been involved in as a coach," Pirates coach Rich Anderson said. "Everyone contributed and everyone battled."

Senior Andrew Madden won the 135-pound title by defeating Cougars senior Evan Laurie, 7-1. Five Mepham wrestlers were runners-up, including seniors Charlie Martin (125 pounds), Mike Dato (189) and John Polverino (285), junior Mike Paccione (140) and freshman Jamie Dunn (103). Juniors Nick Gangi (119) and Brian Monks (171) and freshman Danny Tracy (135) finished third, while juniors Kyle Scherer (103) and James Andrews (171) each took home fourth. Senior Matt Palmer (171), junior Mike Faggioni (140) and freshman Tyler Clougher finished fifth, while the list of Mepham placewinners was rounded out by senior Jeff Anderson (189), sophomore Nick Wenthen (135) and freshman Conor Garat (112).

Senior Jared Goldberg was one of Kennedy's individual champions but suffered a dislocated shoulder in the finals. Freshman Robert Person won a 2-0 decision in the finals over teammate Mark Lebine at 96 pounds. Senior All-County returnee Joseph Maher finished second at 112 pounds, as did classmate Richie Frank, who fell in the finals to Clarke's Mike Leonard, 10-2, at 130 pounds.