Oceanside's numbers, optimism grow

After running its JV wrestling program for four years, former Oceanside graduate Julio Flores has taken over as varsity coach and said he’s hoping to develop a wealth of young talent on a suddenly lengthy roster.

“I’m looking to bring the team to a whole different level,” Flores said. “The program was lacking in numbers for a few years and dipped under 20 by the end of last season. But now we’ve got over 40 kids, including a lot of young talent.”

Flores believes the Sailors can finish in the top three of a conference (1B) that includes Baldwin, East Meadow, Farmingdale, Hempstead, Hicksville and Port Washington. “I’m very excited,” he said. “When we’re healthy, we’re able to fill every weight class. Not having to forfeit any points is huge.”

Oceanside kicked off the campaign by competing in the Battle at the Beach Tournament in Long Beach on the first Saturday of December, followed by the Lynbrook Sportsmanship Duals the following week. Flores said beating Carle Place and Valley Stream North, and losing a close match to the host Owls at Lynbrook, should give the Sailors plenty of confidence moving forward.

The team returned three Nassau County qualifiers from a year ago, including qualifying tournament champion Kash Calderon. A junior competing in the 126-pound weight class, Calderon opened the season by placing fifth in the Battle at the Beach. “His focus and work ethic are tremendous,” Flores said. “He’s always willing to take advice and work on getting better. I’m expecting really good things from him.”

Sophomore Vinny Candela comes from a long line of topnotch wrestlers in his family, Flores said, and can make noise in the county tournament after gaining valuable experience on the big stage last winter. Candela reached the 106-pound final in the Battle at the Beach where he fell to Matt Maquet of the host Marines. Another young returning county qualifier is Michael Fishman, a 113-pound sophomore. “Michael’s a very strong kid who’s never intimidated,” Flores said. “He always wrestles his heart out.”

Junior captain Jarron Koretz (145 pounds) is someone the coach is counting on to provide success on the mat and leadership off it. “He carries a positive attitude and inspires everyone to work as hard as they can,” said Flores, who is also leaning on seniors Dan Fierro, Dan Grossman, Matt Accomando and Juan Jimenez for much of the same.

Keeping freshman John Cannella out of the varsity lineup is going to be difficult, Flores said, after the 132-pounder stood out against JV competition in December. Sophomores Mike Pagona (138) and Anthony Cascio (152) are holding their own at challenging weight classes, and the return of junior Anthony Pena, who was injured last season, has bolstered the upper half of Oceanside’s lineup. Pena won the 195-pound JV portion of the Battle at the Beach and picked up two pins in the duals at Lynbrook.