East Meadow productive in qualifier

Entering the 2016-17 wrestling season, East Meadow coach Lou Lago expected the loss of nine seniors to affect the team’s overall performance in dual meets, as the Jets would be limited in certain weight classes.

That said, despite a roster laden with underclassmen, East Meadow performed well at the county qualifier held last Saturday at Farmingdale High School. The team will send 10 wrestlers to the mats at the individual county championship tournament at Hofstra University’s Mack Sports Complex, this weekend.

Lago, who has been coaching at East Meadow for a decade and has been head coach for two seasons, was happy with the team’s performance at the qualifier. “I’m pretty satisfied with the way we performed,” Lago said. “It’s pretty much what I expected. While the rankings and matchups will determine a lot, I’m optimistic that we will have some guys do some good things at the counties.”

Of the 10 that advanced, three finished first in their weight class at the qualifier, and three others were runner-ups. Junior Matt Mustakis, who is undefeated for the season, not only won the title at 106 pounds by defeating Farmingdale’s Alex Almonte 13-8, he was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.

“Matt hasn’t lost all year and he’s wrestled real good competition in his weight class,” Lago said. “He could be ranked first at the counties. I think he has a real good shot.”

Junior Shawn Regan (138), who earned All-County honors as a sophomore, also took first in the qualifier. Regan earned a 3-2 victory over Farmingdale’s Tyler Sullivan. He will have his hands full at the county tournament. The 138-pound weight class, which has been dominated by three-time state champion Vito Arajau of Syosset, is loaded with talent.

A wrestler who represents the present and future at East Meadow will battle in the 99-pound class. Eighth-grader Anthony Gentile earned a trip to the county tournament with a convincing 10-2 win in the final against Davontay Jones of Roosevelt.

Junior Liam Laskowski (285), who missed half of the season due to injuries sustained during football, lost a 3-2 decision to Roosevelt’s Deaquan Stuart and finished second. Lago believes Laskowski is among the top four in Nassau in his weight class. Laskowski fell one win short of earning All County recognition as a sophomore.

Senior Stephen Falco, who finished in third place at 152 pounds, has been a consistent performer all season long. Lago said he wouldn’t be surprised if Falco was among the top wrestlers in his class at Hofstra.

Nolan Carey (132), Jack Coffey (99), Stephen Calderaro (145), Mike Antuofermo (152), and Steven Rodriguez (160) also qualified for the county tournament.

“While we didn’t have great overall numbers this season, the future looks real good for us,” Lago said. “We have a lot of talented wrestlers returning next season, the junior high has some real promising guys, and the youth program in East Meadow is firing on all cylinders.”