South Side making early strides

South Side’s varsity wrestling team may not have the roster size of many of its opponents—the varsity and junior varsity programs have a total of just 18 wrestlers competing—but it makes up for that based on the strength of some of its performers. Admittedly, filling out a dual meet roster will be tough, but if the early season tournaments are any indication, the Cyclones have some impressive talent making its way up through the ranks.

“It’s a test for how ready and how in shape the guys are,” coach Mike Robinson said of competing against some of the top teams in the county over the last two weekends. “It lets them know what they need to do, change and improve on. It’s definitely an eye-opener and that what the [holiday] tournaments are about, to see where you at and to come back in January and February and be better.”

Three South Side wrestlers placed at last weekend’s two-day Sprig Gardner Tournament hosted by Calhoun Dec. 12 and Mepham the following day. Senior 285-pounder Jason Dantona finished second in his weight class, while senior Matt Turner was fourth at 152 pounds and senior Dan Schwartz sixth in the 220-pound weight class. “[Jason’s] quick,” coach Mike Robinson said. “He doesn’t move or wrestle like a heavyweight. He’ll shoot. He likes to wrestle on the mat, and guys know that. They try and stay away from him.”

Turner, who didn’t win a single match at the Sprig Gardner last season, put together a great run that included three wins in five matches (two by pin), including a pair of hard-fought battles with Kennedy’s Thomas Block. Turner won the first match, in the second round of the tournament, 6-4, but fell in the placing round rematch, 8-6. “He’s been working all year to get better,” Robinson said of Turner. “He’s strong for his size and great on top as far as his technique.”

Senior Phil Marasco, who is currently wrestling at 138 pounds with his eyes set on dropping to 132 after the new year has also taken the year-round training approach and is someone to keep an eye on. “I think he’s going to have a breakout season,” Robinson said. “He’s one of our leaders. He’s great on his feet, and his intensity level is twice as much [as what it was].”

Junior Patrick Wolfron is in his third varsity season and competing at 145 pounds, while sophomore Cliff Cornell a Nassau County Championship Qualifier last season is back at 106 with sights set on ultimately wrestling at 100 pounds.

Eighth-grader Kyle Mosher is already in his second varsity campaign and earned All-County honors after finishing sixth in last season’s Nassau County Championships. He kicked off his 2014 season with a championship at the annual Battle at the Beach hosted by Long Beach on Dec. 6. He pinned Syosset’s Mark Mansa at the 1:06 mark to capture the title. “He’s been wrestling all year round,” Robinson said. “He’s the type of [wrestler] to really look out for. He knows a lot, he’s technical and he’s real flexible.”