VSN wrestles to conference title

Fresh off capturing its first conference championship since 2008, Valley Stream North participated in a challenging Nassau wrestling qualifying tournament last Saturday at Massapequa and continued to meet coach Tom Maddock’s expectations.

“We didn’t wrestle as well as we did during the regular season, but it was a difficult qualifier and I’m happy with the end result,” Maddock said after the Spartans pushed seven individuals through to the county championships this Saturday and Sunday at Hofstra. “It’s been such a fun season,” he added. “The kids progressed fast and we were able to fill all the weight classes for the first time in years.”

Junior Rob Giuliante (113 pounds) led the way for North in the qualifier by finishing runner-up to Mepham’s Jack Molloy. “Rob’s had a very strong season and he did what he was supposed to do in the qualifier,” Maddock said. “He wrestled well all day and was putting up a good battle in the finals before getting pinned.” In North’s hard-fought dual meet 45-38 playoff loss to Hewlett, Giuliante had one of four pins.

Five Spartans placed third in the qualifier, including first-year wrestler Akhil Champagne at 195. The junior lost to Roosevelt’s Lucius Jenkins but then turned the table on Jenkins in the consolation round. “He’s been a real pleasant surprise,” Maddock said. “He’s our fullback on the football team and we talked to him about trying out for wrestling. We had nobody at the weight class and he took the bull by the horns. Now he can’t get enough of the sport.”

A lack of action during the regular season at the 285-pound class may have hurt senior Jamil Viaud, who was third in the qualifier. He’ll take a record of 14-3 into the county tournament. 

Senior Jordan Gonzalez continued his big campaign with a third-place showing at 145. His loss in the semis to eventual champion Jesse Bran-Umana was only the second of the season for Gonzalez, who reached 30 wins by beating Lance Peter of Roosevelt in the consolation round. “Jordan could crack the top six at the county meet and be All-County,” Maddock explained. “He only has two losses and wrestles tough all the time.”

Sophomore Theo Savitt (126) could surprise at the county meet after placing third in the qualifier. “If he keeps his composure and wrestles smart, he can go far,” Maddock said. “He always goes 100 miles an hour and has some good technique.”

Junior Abdul Siddiqui (99) has made consistent progress and is headed to the big stage at Hofstra after placing third in the qualifier. He also had a key pin in the dual meet playoff loss to Hewlett. Freshman Adam Amin was fourth in the qualifier at 106 and the team’s biggest surprise according to Maddock.

Though thrilled with seven qualifiers, Maddock said nine would’ve been better. O’Neill Anderson (220) and Joe Gisonda (120) both had clutch wins against Hewlett. Anderson was hampered by knee and ankle injuries.