Hewlett relishing tourney season

Posted

A deep Hewlett wrestling team is poised for a strong finish in the Nassau County championships.

Hewlett qualified 15 for the individual county championships scheduled for this weekend at LIU Post.  After a grueling dual meet season in which the Bulldogs battled injuries, eighth-year head coach Steven Jones sees a strong chance for Hewlett to be near the top of the standings in total points when the championships wrap up Sunday night.

“The tournament season is a whole new season,” Jones said. “If all goes well I think we have a chance to be a top three team and at least top five.”

Hewlett is fueled by several wrestlers capable of achieving All-County honors by placing in the top six. Senior Michael Gordon is the Bulldogs’ lone returning All-County finisher and is hoping to exceed his fourth place placement last year. The 182-pounder is battle-tested after placing in the prestigious Eastern State Duals last month and capturing last weekend’s county qualifier at Long Beach High School.

“He has that experience of competing in a county semifinal match last year,” Jones said of Gordon. “He is peaking at the right time.”

Gordon is among six county qualifiers from Hewlett looking to build on experience gained from reaching the championship stage. Junior Naim Lynch qualified for his third straight county championships and has potential to earn All County accolades despite competing in a stacked 113-pound weight class.

“He has had a great year,” Jones said of Lynch. “He can really make some noise.”

Other Hewlett wrestlers looking to make runs after competing in the county championships a year ago include juniors Tyler James (160) and Khamar Narcisse (220) along with senior Zach Maiorano (heavyweight.) Jones said Maiorano is likely Hewlett’s best shot at a county title since the heavyweight division is more wide open than other weight classes.

Senior Sam Warshall reached the counties for the second straight year after earning a wildcard entry at 120.  Fellow seniors Julian Cilento (195) and Michael Almonte (182) also earned county championship spots.

Several youngsters also qualified for counties led by 99-pound eighth-grader Ariel Waldman, who defeated East Meadow’s Nick Chimienti by a 4-2 in the consolation finals for a third place finish. Freshman Jacob Maiorano also qualified at 170 while sophomore Joey Iannacci reached the counties at 106 after moving down from the competitive 113 class. Muiz Hussain (1245), Michael Iannacco (132), Fletcher Goodman (138) and Jonathan Zenny (152) also will represent Hewlett on county championship stage.

The county championships will begin Saturday at LIU Post’s Pratt Center and finish late Sunday evening with the finals scheduled to start at around 7:30 p.m. The New York State Championships are scheduled for Feb. 22-23 at the Times-Union Center in Albany.

Jones said no matter how his wrestlers fare under the bright lights, the program is set up for a strong future because of the dedication experienced year-round taking part in numerous offseason tournaments.

“That is where the growth comes from,” Jones said of the offseason work. “They put in the time.”