Blue Devils Ready for County Grapplers Tourney
Coming off one of their most successful campaigns ever, the Huntington High School wrestling team is prepped and ready for the Suffolk mat tournament this Friday and Sunday at Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.
The Blue Devils compiled a 16-3 overall dual meet record this winter. It’s the most victories ever by any Huntington wrestling team in a single season.
The squad won the Suffolk League IV dual meet crown with a 6-0 mark. It’s Huntington’s first such outright dual meet title since 2008. (The Blue Devils shared the dual meet crown in 2009.)
Huntington also won last Saturday’s League IV tournament after winning seven-of-seven matches in the finals. The Blue Devils have not won both the league dual meet and tournament championships in the same season since 1998.
“We are very happy with how the team has performed this season, but we still have a long way to go,” head coach Travis Smith said. “The best Huntington teams have always been measured by what they can accomplish in the county and state tournaments. That’s what our focus is on right now.”
Huntington will send 12 wrestlers into battle this weekend at Hofstra. The Blue Devils will be led by three-time county titlist and defending state champion John Arceri (37-0) and sixth place state finisher Joseph Puca (35-0) along with fellow league champs Ryan Mock (35-2), Kyle Mock (35-1), Chris Bierd (14-9), Ryan Stieve (15-10) and Khari McNeil (23-4).
Third place league medalists Ethan Dwyer (25-9) and Charlie Gadson (11-16) and fourth place finishers Sean Flick (16-11), Jarred Leake (20-15) and Jonathan Canas (14-10) will also be vying for All-County honors this weekend.
Arceri will be attempting to become the first four-time Blue Devil county wrestling champion. “We are taking it one match at a time with John, just like we are doing with each one of our wrestlers,” Smith said.