The Blue Devil wrestling program celebrated its season during an awards reception in the cafeteria. The teenagers and their parents enjoyed dessert and refreshments as the coaches recapped the season.
Team members gave the sport everything they have and battled to the final whistle. When all was said and done Tazadon Smith won the league title and went on to place third in Section XI and Joe Petrone finished third in the league and fifth in Suffolk.
Huntington’s Billy Burton won the league title and Robbie, Aedan McDonald and Samir Rathore were all league runners-up.
Head coach Lou R. Giani and assistant coaches Kieran Mock, Omar Santiago and David Bergmann were pleased with the effort put forth by the wrestlers, who were recognized with varsity and junior varsity letter awards and a series of special honors that were also presented.
The honorees include:
Most Outstanding Wrestler: Tazadon Smith
Most Improved Wrestler: Joe Petrone
Hardest Worker: Samir Rathore
Hardest Worker: Billy Burton
Hardest Worker: Robert Smith
High Scorer: Joe Petrone
Most Falls: Joe Petrone
Most Near Falls- Aedan McDonald
Most Takedowns: Tazadon Smith
Most Reversals: Ryan Baker
Most Escapes: Chas Forte
Most Tech Falls: Lucas Cirlincione
Highest Grade Point Average: Robert Smith
JV Most Outstanding Wrestler: Lucas Cirlincione
JV Most Improved Wrestler: Zach Zboray
“I feel my season was good, but I can definitely do better,” Petrone said. “I just need to train harder in the off-season. I intend to be the 2020 county champ and hopefully do something in the states.”
The Blue Devils were captained by Petrone, McDonald and Burton. All of the award recipients are returning next winter.
“This was the best season I’ve had so far,” McDonald said. “I improved a lot and hope to continue to improve. Most of us will be wrestling a lot in the summer to help us get to All-County place finishes. The team was great. We still have a lot to work on, but there is some young talent coming up and I know our coaches will get us to where we need to be.”
The wrestlers gathered together for a series of photos near the end of the evening and everyone went home happy.
