By: STEVE SINISKI
"It's a good rallying point," Pirates Coach John Hamilton said. "Last year we won it also after losing to MacArthur. We're hoping to keep the ball rolling, and our confidence is way up. We tell the guys that you've got to shake off one loss and get right back at it."
In knocking off three opponents by winning 28 of 35 matches, it's clear the top performers run up and down the Mepham lineup. None, however, may have had a bigger weekend than Tommy and Frank Vultaggio. Wrestling at 103 and 112 pounds, respectively, the two each racked up three pins in three matches at the Harold Earl Tournament, including five in less than four minutes. Frank entered the first round of the Dual Meet championships against No. 6 Herricks, sporting a 20-8 mark, while Tommy won 16 of his first 21 decisions. "It's good to have guys at the lower weights that can score points," Hamilton said. "They're tough, tenacious and like to go after it."
Boasting an 8-3 mark in dual meets, the 11th-seeded Pirates were looking at a tough road that included No. 3 East Meadow, if they defeated Herricks in the opening round on Feb. 1. From there, the winner would advance to MacArthur for the semifinals, and the championship would be battled out on Feb. 5 at W.T. Clarke High School.
"Down the stretch [of the regular season], you just try to get as sharp as you can," Hamilton said. "We'll go back and review and reinforce some things. We're coming out [seeded] 11th and know we're a lot better. Hopefully, we'll prove that."
Mepham has a number of heavy hitters aiming for strong performances in the upcoming Nassau County Qualifying Tournament, scheduled for Feb. 12 to 13 at Garden City High School. Steve Gurien, a perfect 18-0 on the year, leads a strong group that includes Santo Getz (21-2), Steve Gunther (17-6), Adam Starr (18-7) and perhaps the team's most improved wrestler, Eric Hochhauser (19-4).
"His confidence [has improved the most,] and he works with [Santo] Getz every day," Hamilton said. "You're only as good as your drill partner. The better the guy you're working with, the better you will be."
In determining where his wrestlers will be grouped at the county qualifiers, Hamilton leaves the decisions up the individual, rather than the coaching staff. "We want the guys [wrestling] at the weights they're most comfortable," he said. "We ask them where they'd like to compete. In our lineup, we don't have a lot to move around. We put the best out there at every weight."
