Calhoun established high standard

The graduation loss of 12 would usually deal a program a devastating blow. Calhoun wrestling is looking to come through it unscathed. 

Peter Marques started his fifth season as head coach at the Merrick school after long stints at Plainedge and Great Neck South. 

Led by last season’s state standout Ray Adams, Marques is vying to overcome the losses with honors. Last season’s powerhouse squad finished unbeaten in conference 3A (5-0) and was voted “Most Improved Team in Nassau County.''

"Last year was the first group we had (that started) as freshmen,'' Marques said. "There was a time we were climbing and climbing. We’ve established what the standard is. Even though we did graduate a lot, we have guys who’ve come through our program that will fill in those spots.''

And in Calhoun's new wrestling culture, it likes to do it with flash and panache. it is a team filled with three-sport guys who are athletic and fit in.

"We try to put an exciting product on the mat,'' Marques said. "We don’t try to hang out and win by 1 point. We want to score a lot of points and put guys on their back. We’re aggressive in all positions. That lends itself to more winning.''

The two key losses from last season’s 15-5 squad were Michael Patti, an All-County performer who is wrestling at RIT, and Jordan Burr.

Remaining to anchor the Colts at 126 pounds is Adams, already named "Outstanding Wrestler' of the two early-season tournaments - "Battle on the Beach'' and the Sprig Gardner affair. In the duel meet opener vs. Southside/East Rockaway, Adams won on a pin in 2:30 as Calhoun romped 60-10 on Dec. 14.

"He’s very good offensively on his feet from neutral,'' Marques said of Adams. "It’s his No. 1 thing. He continues to improve at his strengths and got better on the bottom.''

The comeback story this season is senior Andrew Foy at 215. Foy broke his ankle last December at the start of the 2021-22 season in a tournament after being ranked in Nassau County. In the prior year, the season was Covid-19-shortened.

He's back from injury and trying to show his full star potential. "It's good to have him for a full season,'' Marques said.

At 172 pounds, Denzel Folgar is one to watch after the coach praised his “great offseason’’ of work. Junior Brian Nicholson, at 18 pounds, qualified for counties last season and could emerge further. He works out with Adams every day and placed in the two early-season events.  

Then there’s sophomore 102-pounder Sean Gallagher, a lightweight who already has shown potential after earning a starting berth as a freshman. In the duel meet opener, he pinned his man in 56 seconds.

Despite the dozen graduate losses, Calhoun is only looking up. It faces a conference shift to 2B where Mepham and McArthur loom as threats. Perhaps the Colts won’t be unbeaten this year in conference play but remain formidable. 

“Our goal was to be top 10 in county last year and we just missed,’’ Marques said. “It’s still our goal - a top-10 county finish.’’