Strong start for Lawrence wrestlers

Lawrence seniors Hamza Ramza and Oscar Puk got the wrestling season off to a big start by capturing their respective weight class titles in the Sprig Gardner Tournament hosted by Bellmore-Merrick on Dec. 12-13.
Ramza, the Nassau County runner-up at 195 pounds last season to Robert Oliver of Plainedge, was dominant up until the finals minutes of the 220-pound final, coach Dom DelVecchio said. Ramza, a returning state qualifier, held off Hewlett’s Stephen Salerno, 8-6, after scoring the first seven points of the match. “Hamza’s such a strong and smart wrestler,” DelVecchio said. “He’s jacked beyond jacked. He’s seeded first in the county and he’ll be right in the mix at the end.
“He’s an excellent student and looking to wrestle at the college level somewhere,” DelVecchio said.
Puk, who came within a victory of achieving All-County status last season, is on a mission to take the next step, DelVecchio said. Puk won four matches at the Sprig and defeated Bellmore-JFK’s Matthew Schwartz in the finals, 7-5. “He was never really in danger of losing,” DelVecchio said of Puk, who competes in the 152-pound weight class and is ranked No. 2 in the county. “If he stays focused, there’s no question he can be an All-County kid this year. He has more than enough talent to do it.”
Senior Dimitri Samuels, who helped Lawrence’s football team win a third straight Long Island championship, in ranked No. 1 at 285 pounds after placing fifth in the county last season. He’s the only returning All-County honoree in the weight class. “Dimitri cut down weight and added muscle for football and wrestling,” DelVecchio said. “He’s much quicker and better conditioned.”

Lawrence’s lineup, which has a few holes in the lighter weights, will be solidified in January with the return of senior Anthony Doll at 170. An All-Conference wrestler last winter, Doll suffered a broken leg during the football season.
DelVecchio believes senior Great Ehizi, who placed fourth in the Sprig at 182, is a wild card for the Golden Tornadoes. “He’s so strong and such a physical specimen,” DelVecchio said of the All-Conference returnee. “He has potential to be All-County.”
Junior Andre Palmer could be poised for a breakout season after finishing fifth in the Sprig at 145. Senior Jessie Nacht has lots of county tournament experience and tops the depth chart at 126, while freshman Christopher Vinas looks to make a splash at 113.
Lawrence will face Hewlett, Bethpage, Glen Cove, North Shore, and Roslyn in Conference 3B action. The Golden Tornadoes face Hewlett on Jan. 14.