Sewanhaka East has bright future

A young group of wrestlers take to the mat for Sewanhaka East this winter. However, despite having a relatively inexperienced roster, coach Ian McConnell believes his program has a bright future, and a few of his wrestlers could compete for a county championship come February.

Sewanhaka East, a team comprising athletes from Carey and New Hyde Park high schools, will grapple with the likes of Herricks, Westbury, Valley Stream Central, MacArthur, and perennial-power Long Beach in Nassau Conference 2A. 

“I expect this to be a learning year for the young guys, but some of the veterans should be in position to be All-County, and a few have the ability to compete to be overall champions,” McConnell said. “All of the weight classes are filled. The older guys will look to get the job done, and the younger guys will learn a lot from the upperclassmen. The future looks real good for us.”

Joe Amalfitano won the division championship as a junior at 195 pounds. McConnell believes Amalfitano, a strong, unorthodox wrestler, has the ability to challenge for county supremacy at 220 pounds. He’s off to an 8-1 start as a senior. Amalfitano won the championship at the annual Ralph Jansson Holiday Tournament at Valley Stream North.

Sophomore Daniel Kerner finished one win shy of earning All-County honors as a freshman. Kerner, who competes at 113 pounds, is off to a 7-1 start, and figures to be in the mix when the county tournament comes around. He finished in second place at Valley Stream North.

Senior Reese Mistretta, who earned a third place finish at the county qualifier as a junior, is off to a solid start at 145. Mistretta, who has been tough to beat in dual meets, finished fourth at the Jansson Tournament.

McConnell is high on Tyler Newcamp. The 195-pound senior is 7-2 in the early going, and certainly has the potential to qualify for counties. Newcamp took third place at the Jansson Tournament. Hard-working junior Mark Niewierowski was a county qualifier in 2014-15. He’ll be in the hunt again in the 126-pound weight class.

Despite giving up 15 to 20 pounds to opponents, freshman Nick Kubler, a first-year wrestler, is holding his own in the 99-pound class. Kubler is improving his technique and is determined to get better. Talented eighth-grader Brian Matzelle is showing a lot of promise at 106. 

Freshman Devin Hartz competes at 120 pounds for Sewanhaka East. Senior Kristen Walsh, the first female in the program at Sewanhaka East, sees time on the mat at both 126 and 132 pounds. Junior Joseph Petrancosta will be tough to beat at 138 pounds. His twin brother James competes at 152.

Dominic Palma and Angelo Cona are both very capable at 145 pounds. Senior Jared Mallozzi is a first-time starter at 160 pounds. Sophomore Ari Bazigos is coming along at 170. Junior Hunter Battista rounds out the lineup at 285 pounds.