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Mostly Cloudy Rams bolster wrestling roster
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West Hempstead's Devon Cohen was in control during this early season four-way scrimmage at Lynbrook.
Susan Grieco/Herald
After a bit of a disappointing 2008-09 wrestling season, head coach Rob Gewirtz returns to lead the West Hempstead Rams after a one-year hiatus. The growth of the program continues with participation up 50 percent at the varsity level.
Gewirtz is pleased with the increase in numbers and the overall status of West Hempstead wrestling. “Or numbers are way up, and we have nearly all of the weight classes filled,” Gewirtz said. “Everything is real good. We’re continuing to build the program back to where it was a few years back. We have a young team, but a hardworking one. We’ll just keep plugging away.”
The roster is composed of a slew of underclassmen and some veterans with the potential to qualify for counties. Senior Dom Bonfiglio returns in the 215-pound weight class. Bonfiglio was an alternate at the county meet as a freshman, and a county qualifier as a sophomore, but had a disappointing finish to his junior campaign. Gewirtz believes Bonfiglio has the ability to be an All-County performer in his last go-round.
Another wrestler with high expectations is senior Zach Frigand, who fills the 145-pound class. Frigand, who competed in the Nassau County qualifier as a sophomore, displayed his potential by taking second place at the Knights Tournament at Uniondale in early December. Bonfiglio finished third at the event, which drew participants from 14 high schools.
Others with potential to make the county tournament include senior Frank Lonigro in the 152-pound class, junior John Gomez at 160 pounds, and senior Jason Sohan at 171 pounds. Lonigro took fourth place at Uniondale, while Gomez finished fifth.
Freshman Devon Cohen has a lot of potential in the 103-pound weight class. Returning for the Rams is sophomore John Lonigro at 112 pounds. Freshman up-and-comer Careem Harris will also compete in the 112-pound class, while his twin brother, Cadeem, will wrestle at 119. Fellow freshman Aaron Mauge looks promising at 125 pounds.
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