By Tom Jordan
"We have a good team, but we're in the top league in Nassau County so it will be a challenge," he said.
Strong individual performances were turned in by several wrestlers, including Jimmy Dennis, who took first place in the 119-pound bracket. Dennis also earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors after defeating Freeport's Keith Mitchell 10-3.
Dennis, a senior, finished second in his weight class among Nassau County wrestlers last year and has big plans for this season.
"I'd like to win the county and go on to the state tournament," Dennis said. "I was pretty happy [about winning the most outstanding wrestler award] and I think we should have a good team this year."
Joey Pumo and Arthur Hischberg finished third in their respective weight brackets at Mepham.
Bellmore JFK won the tournament with 204 1/2 points and Mepham finished second with 193. Beekman Town (155), Bay Shore (154 1/2), Freeport (153), Commack (141 1/2), Calhoun (131), Locust Valley (111 1/2), Half Hollows East (94) and South Side (67) rounded out the scoring.
The Sailors have 38 lettermen returning from last season's successful campaign, and a new head boss--acclaimed coach Paul Gillespie, a former coach at Long Beach High School.
"We're excited about having Coach Gillespi here and we're excited about the season," Jonosko said.
"Coach Gillespie is definitely a good coach," Dennis said. "He runs his practices a little differently. There are a lot of young guys on the team, so we should be even better in a couple of years."
In addition to Dennis, Pumo and Hirschberg, Julio Flores, Chris DeNinno, Dave Minkoff, Franco Conigliano and William Adames are the Sailors Gillespie and Jonosko will be counting on to lead the way.
Jonosko said the squad is preparing for upcoming meets against Long Beach on Fri. Dec. 21, East Meadow on Sat., Dec. 22, and Glen Cove on Fri., Dec. 28. Their first home meet is Thurs., Jan. 3, against East Meadow at 5:30 p.m. They'll host Valley Stream, Lawrence and Plainedge in a four-team tournament on Sat., Jan. 12. Additional home meets are scheduled for Jan. 15, against Long Beach, and Jan. 25, against Roslyn.
Oceanside has road meets at Farmingdale on Jan. 9; at Baldwin on Jan. 16; at Massapequa on Jan. 18; at Bellmore JFK on Jan. 19; and at Valley Stream Central on Jan. 26.
