By STEVE SINISKI
Finishing with 218.5 points-16.5 behind champion Lynbrook-the Rams had three individual champions and two second-place finishers, including junior Kelly Palmer, who took home the award for most pins in the least amount of time. The junior 119-pounder won all four of his bouts by pinfall in a combined time of 9:59.
"It was the most pins I've ever seen in a tournament," coach Mike Leonard said. "For us to stay close with just 15 kids [was amazing]. It showed the kids really wanted to go the extra [length]."
Seniors Derek Courtney (125 pounds) and Jordan Spirou (171) each pinned three of their four opponents on the way to tournament titles, while senior Matt Gaynor (145) and freshman Mike Leonard, Jr.(103), took second. The strong starts for Spirou and Leonard give them a boost towards the all-time wins record for the program. The leader is Brett Milgrim, a current assistant coach, who racked up 112 career wins. After a program record 48-win campaign last season for Spirou and a quick start to Leonard, Jr's., varsity career, both have the mark in their sights.
Clarke continues to grow and has 43 participants. The increased competition has helped developed a solid balance and a potentially deep roster for dual meets. "We have a large amount of wrestlers," coach Leonard said. "The junior varsity [wrestlers] are pushing to stay on varsity."
Tiago Pereira, a fourth-place finisher at Long Beach, is hitting the mats at 112 pounds and is one of a several Rams taking a year-round approach to the sport. "He's been working all year long and he's improved two levels," Leonard said. "He's better than last year and sacrificed a lot of weekends."
Palmer is currently slotted at 119 pounds and Courtney at 125. Drew Gottstein makes the jump from JV to varsity at 130 pounds, and seniors Scott Pietras and Mike Hanley are in the mix at 135. Junior Matt Mineipplia, another in the list of full-year wrestlers, is set at 140 pounds.
Gaynor battled Spirou for the program's all-time single-season win mark a year ago, finishing with 43, and returns at 145 pounds. Seniors Mike Curatolo (152), Pat Pascale (160), Spirou (171) and Ansh Kalra (189), a fourth-place finisher at Long Beach, anchor the middle and upper weights. Pascale and classmate Mickey Merguerian (215) are seniors providing more than a hint of leadership and inspiration. Both have fought through injuries requiring surgery.
For the second consecutive year, the Rams are heading to Disney World from Dec. 19-23 to take part in the Kaylee Scholarship Association Classic featuring wrestlers from across the United States.
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