Strong start for Sewanhaka East
Second-year head coach Ian McConnell has a mix of seasoned veterans and promising underclassmen on the roster as he continues to build the wrestling program at Sewanhaka East. After strong showings in tournaments at MacArthur and Valley Steam North, and a victory over Lynbrook in a dual meet, the team is off to a strong start.
The Sewanhaka East roster comprises wrestlers from Carey and New Hyde Park, and McConnell is impressed with his team’s work ethic. “We have a great group of hard-working athletes,” McConnell said. “We’re more or less a blue-collar team. We have a lot of guys who play football, lacrosse or other sports. We don’t have many who wrestle year round.”
Returning for Sewanhaka East in the 120-pound class is four-year varsity wrestler Milton Calderon. The senior captain, who was the Conference I champion as a junior, is a two-time county qualifier. Calderon opened the season on a high note by beating defending Section IX champion Joe Ginley of Warwick Valley in the championship round of the 120-pound class at the MacArthur Tournament. Calderon is a technical wrestler who McConnell believes can be a county champion as a senior.
Senior captain Rob Zorn is one of the finest athletes McConnell has worked with in his 11 years of coaching at various levels. Zorn qualified for the county meet last season and lost to the eventual champion. Zorn, a four-year varsity wrestler, was victorious at MacArthur and Valley Stream North in the 182-pound weight class.
Erick Vilchez was a county qualifier as a freshman at 120 pounds in 2010-11. The hard-working sophomore, who finished fourth in the annual Ralph Jansson Tournament at Valley Stream North, is a three-year varsity performer.
Jack Nurnane, who missed much of last season with an injury, has looked solid in the early going. The senior captain won at MacArthur and placed third at North. Nurnane could be a surprise county qualifier in the 220-pound class.
Junior captain Matt Lucito epitomizes the work ethic that McConnell cites. Lucito is wrestling for just two years, but what he lacks in experience he makes up for with maximum effort. Lucito wrestles in the 152-pound class. Following in their brother’s footsteps are sophomore Joe Lucito (145 pounds) and freshman Anthony Lucito (132 pounds).
Nick Russi has plenty of potential at 195 pounds. Sophomore Tom Labruna is coming into his own in the 160-pound class.
Competing in the top conference in the county with the likes of Uniondale, Syosset, Massapequa, Freeport, and Sewanhaka West should help Sewanhaka East become battle tested when the county qualifier comes around.
McConnell is optimistic. “The guys work very hard, and are self-motivated when it comes to things like practice, working out, and managing their diet,” McConnell said. “I feel like we have a good shot at having four all-County wrestlers, and up to 10 wrestlers compete at the county qualifier. These guys don’t look at the name of their opponent, or the strength of the team they’re up against. They don’t back down to anyone.”
