Lynbrook molding into shape

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Lynbrook wrestlers geared up for conference matches with its best performance of the season, finishing in third place in a tournament Dec. 15 at South Side High School in Rockville Centre that featured roughly a dozen schools.

The result was especially thrilling for coach Rich Renz, considering his team has been competing shorthanded due to injuries and a number of senior graduations a year ago. “That was a great accomplishment because we didn’t go into the tournament with a lot of kids,” said Renz. “The kids wrestled really well all day. I take my hats off to them.”

The school crowned one champion at the tournament and had three other finalists, including sophomore Allie Fitzgerald, who last year made history when she became the first female to win a weight class title at a sanctioned wrestling tournament on Long Island.

Senior co-captain Johnny Dibenedetto prevailed in a thrilling come-from-behind overtime win to claim Lynbrook’s lone championship on the day in the 170-lb. weight class. Other finalists included fellow senior co-captain Justin Weinberger (138 lbs.) and junior Jessie Singh (195.)

Lynbrook has gone 2-2 so far in four non-conference dual meets. And while the team has been dealing with roster turnover plus injuries to seniors Kyle Serro and Jake D’Agostino, the South Side Tournament result was promising for another reason: Lynbrook outperformed Farmingdale and Oceanside high schools in the tournament, the two non-conference schools who defeated them in dual meets. It’s a sign, said Renz, that his wrestlers are already showing vast improvement in a short period of time.

 “The most important thing is it gave my kids confidence and it showed them that they’re in good shape right now in terms of where they are at this point in the season,” said Renz.

Lynbrook has battled for a conference championship in each of the past three seasons, qualified for the dual meet playoffs and made noise in the county tournament at Hofstra. Renz said he believes his team has the talent to get there again, beginning with their first Conference 3B meet against Valley Stream South.

Key wrestlers include their other senior co-captains Tyler Heaney (152 lbs.) and Henry Quilca (182 lbs.), as well as junior Joe Mattia (120 lbs.), sophomore Tom Becker (113 lbs.), junior Sean Curley (113 lbs.), sophomore David Vivar (132 lbs.), junior Patrick O’Brien (138 lbs.), sophomore Liam Clark (143 lbs.), senior Jordan Camilo (152 lbs.), junior Michael Urena (160 lbs.), senior Jessie Candel (182 lbs.) and senior Jimmy Murray (220 lbs.)

After Valley Stream South, Lynbrook will face steep challenges from the rest of their conference over the next five weeks, including Valley Stream North, Mineola, Lawrence and North Shore.

“The kids are working real hard this year,” Renz said. “I’m hoping we can keep that positive energy going as the season progresses. They’re staying focused and staying positive. That’s half the battle.”