Thursday, October 1, 2026
Hewlett wrestling made history last season by producing multiple county champions for the first time since the program’s re-launch nearly a decade earlier.
Mike Curiel, who graduated in June, and returning senior Lucas Pincus captured titles at the Nassau Division I championships at Hofstra last February. The first-place showings by Curiel (3-2 OT win against MacArthur’s Ryan O’Shea at 285 pounds) and Pincus (138) made it four individual county titles for the Bulldogs since the program’s reboot in 2007 and first season there has been more than one champion on the podium.
“This was big for us,” coach Stephen Jones said after last winter’s accomplishment. “It was great for the program.”
Pincus, who defeated Lynbrook’s Matt Swanson in the final, 7-4, placed third in the county as a sophomore and is looking for a third straight All-County campaign and another trip upstate. His 2016 season got off to a late start due to a minor hand injury, but he returned to action Dec. 14 and was Hewlett’s lone winner in a lopsided dual meet loss at Seaford.
“We eased Lucas back into action,” Jones said of Pincus, a fifth-year member of the varsity team who was ranked No. 2 in the preseason in the 145-pound weight class. “Honestly, if everything falls into place he can go really far in the state tournament,” Jones added. “He’s got all the tools. He’ll be 145 unless we make a switch to 152 late in the season.”
Pincus is one of three seniors on a team with no juniors and a large group of talented underclassmen, Jones said.
Senior Jonathan Davis, a returning county qualifier at 99 pounds, is off to a flying start with a runner-up finish in the Battle at the Beach Tournament hosted by Long Beach, and a tourney victory in the Uniondale Knights Classic. Davis beat East Meadow’s Anthony Gentile, 9-6, in the final. “He’s a little bigger and stronger and learned a lot last season,” Jones said of Davis, an All-County candidate.
Emmanuel Furman is Hewlett’s other senior and someone Jones is looking for more consistently from. “He had some big wins against All-County opponents last season and some upset losses,” Jones said. “He has ability for sure.” Furman won the Uniondale tournament and placed fifth at Long Beach.
Sophomore Michael Gordon (170) was named a captain and heads a strong class that includes 100-pounder Sam Warshall, a county qualifier last winter who placed second at Uniondale, Eddie Maday, another county qualifier who’ll compete at 132 or 138, and heavyweight Zach Mairano, who won nine of his first 10 bouts between the JV and varsity.
“We have a stacked sophomore class,” Jones said. “It’s exciting.”
Niam Lynch, one of many freshmen looking to crack the lineup, has been impressive at 99 pounds.
“We’re not going to force anyone into varsity matches if they’re not ready,” Jones explained. “I think we’ll just about have a full lineup for when the league meets start.”
