Glen Cove returns key group

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The Glen Cove wrestling team unravels the mats for another exciting season as some new leaders with key experience come to the forefront and look to lead the Big Red.

Of those leaders, junior Sal Guastella (160/170 pounds), returning after a season of qualifying for the Nassau County Tournament, will lead his group into battle.

“His work ethic is really something that stands out,” Big Red coach Chris MacDonald said. “He’s a three-sport athlete, but he’s on the mats a lot. He’s wrestling a lot and it shows.”

Guastella, a finalist in last year’s Nassau County Qualifying Tournament, is blazing through achievements and expectations. “By senior year, he is projected to beat the all-time Glen Cove wrestling winning record,” MacDonald said.

The Big Red also had seven other members join Guastella in last year’s Nassau County Qualifying Tournament. Of those, sophomores Edson Murrillo (106), Isaiah Jackson (99), and Eder Leiva (170/182) make up a strong returning core with key experience performing at a high level. 

“All three of those guys, along with Guastella, are great leaders with experience for the team,” MacDonald said. 

Murillo, although wrestling at 106 a year ago, will fluctuate from that weight class to the 113/120 range, depending on the need of the team.

Joining him as a starter for either 113/120 is returning sophomore Tyler Kaffl, who placed 6th in the conference last year. “He’s another sophomore we have building off a solid freshman year,” MacDonald said.

Sophomore RJ Alma will compete around the 182-195 mark while freshman Phil Aguiler will hold anchor the 220-plus weight classes.

Although the team is comprised of key underclassmen talent, there is no void of talented seniors either.

Senior Liam Young (145/152 pounds) will be a key asset in the middle weight divisions for Glen Cove, finishing fifth in qualifiers last year and having already scored a victory in this early season.

Senior Brandon Kolanovic, a four-year varsity wrestler, fills out a talented Glen Cove roster, starting at either 195 or 220.

As for the attitude and hunger of this young team, MacDonald comments: “Everyone is working extremely hard. There is constant movement, constant effort, and this go-go-go mentality.”

With the emergence of a flock of young talent, MacDonald admits there’s an early learning curve, but believes his group is up to the test.

“The beginners are learning, but they’re working hard,” MacDonald said. “There is no sitting around. We work, we break for water, and shortly after they’re jogging back in and getting back to the workout.”

MacDonald commends the work of assistant coach Pat Cook, who also is the J.V. Football coach for instilling a tough and gritty work ethic in his football kids, that cross over in to the wrestling world. “He makes sure they’re working hard in the weight room, and ready for the wrestling season,” MacDonald said.

Now with the season underway, the Big Red look to make a splash with a budding team that has major upside for the present and the future. “We’re a young team so I want to get as many of our guys to the county tournament as possible,” MacDonald said. “There’s a real hunger in this team, they’re fired up and ready to show it.”