Spartans hit the mat running

With the return of four Nassau County Division II wrestling champions as well as a pair of runners-up, Valley Stream North is looking to hold its own this season despite a rise to Division I.

The Spartans made a statement last Saturday with a second-place finish in their annual Ralph Jansson Tournament, sending six wrestlers to the finals in the process. Seaford took the nine-team event with 158 points, only 9.5 ahead of North. Sewanhaka West was third with 133.

“We turned up the intensity level at practice after the first week and came into our tournament in much better condition,” Spartans coach Tom Maddock said. “I’m really pleased with how the kids wrestled. It’s the best we’ve done in years. Competing against Division I schools is tough and the kids know they have to step up their games.”

Seniors Jesse Oppenheimer (120 pounds) and Shane Saltzman (138) won their respective weight class titles, while juniors Jason Mangual (113) and Justin Uslaner (132), and seniors Billy Patsos (170) and Jason Chang (220) placed second.

Oppenheimer, a defending county champion at 125 pounds who rallied to pin Lawrence’s Pankil Chander in overtime, was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. “Jesse’s looking really strong,” Maddock said. “He has the experience, skill and toughness. He’s in a tough weight in Division I, but he’s capable of being All-County.”

Saltzman’s 11-4 victory over Seaford’s Kevin Butler in the finals of the Jansson gave him his second tournament title this month. He won the Hank Paris Tournament in Carle Place Dec. 3, taking an 8-3 decision over Eddie Lopez of Calhoun in the title bout. “Shane missed most of last season with a broken ankle and never got into a rhythm,” Maddock said. “He’s come back strong and seems more relaxed and confident. He’s an aggressive wrestler and tough on his feet.”

Uslaner, a two-time county champion up three weight classes from last year’s 112, lost in the finals of the Jansson to Lawrence’s Mohamed Chaudhry, 10-4, but will be one of the keys to North’s success against Conference 4A rivals Island Trees, Seaford, Clarke, Great Neck North and North Shore. “Justin never makes things easy on his opponent,” Maddock said of Uslaner. “His match against Chaudhry was 5-4 until the very end.”

Junior Rob Kishun, a county champion, was fourth in the Jansson at 105 after finishing second at Carle Place, while North’s other returning county champ, junior Nick Gonzalez, missed the tournament due to injury. Gonzalez is likely to compete at 182 after finishing last season at 160.

Patsos, who was runner-up to Gonzalez for the Nassau crown last winter, also reached the finals at Carle Place. Junior Kyle Miller (113) and senior John Rauert (195) were third and fourth last Saturday, respectively, and junior Keith Donovan (138) impressed with a third-place showing.

The Spartans hit the road for their first three conference dual meets, including a trip to Seaford Jan. 4.