Blue Devil Matmen Win League Dual Meet Crown
The Huntington wrestling team rallied from a 15-0 deficit to topple visiting Half Hollow Hills West, 37-30 and win the Suffolk League IV dual meet championship.
The Blue Devils dropped their first three matches before going on to win eight of the remaining 12 bouts, including several close decisions to the delight of the crowd in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium on Wednesday afternoon.
The victory gives Huntington a perfect 6-0 mark in league dual meets. The Blue Devils are 14-2 overall. “We should have wrestled better in certain situations, but overall it was a good team effort,” head coach Travis T. Smith said.
Ryan Mock started Huntington’s comeback when he won an 11-0 major decision at 113 lbs. Ethan Dwyer (120 lbs.) followed with a crucial 2-0 decision and the Blue Devils were on their way to winning the program’s 32nd league dual meet crown.
Defending state champion and three time Suffolk titlist John Arceri brought Huntington closer when he earned a pin in 5:02 at 126 lbs. Kyle Mock gave Huntington the lead with a pin in 3:58 at 132 lbs.
Jared Leake (138 lbs.) captured the Blue Devils’ fifth consecutive bout with a pin in 5:16. Trailing 25-15, Hills West staged a rally of its own with a fall at 145 lbs. and 6-3 decisions at both 152 lbs. and 160 lbs. to grab a 27-25 lead.
Joseph Puca’s first period pin in 1:26 put Huntington back on top for good at 31-25. Jonathan Canas (182 lbs.) and Ryan Stieve (195 lbs.) followed with 9-7 and 8-1 decisions, respectively, to extend the Blue Devils’ advantage to 37-27. Hills West won the final bout in overtime to pull within seven points in the final score.
“It feels really awesome to finish out my senior campaign with a league title,” Dwyer said. “Everyone knew their role and what they needed to go out there and do and we executed really well. It feels great, but now we’re looking forward to the county dual meet tournament and to hopefully turn some heads.”
Arceri’s victory gives him a 30-0 record and 181 career victories in a Huntington singlet. Ryan Mock (28-2), Dwyer (23-5), Kyle Mock (29-1) and Puca (29-0) all improved their season marks and maintained their standing as among the best in Suffolk in their respective weight class.
“I’ve had a great experience as a senior so far this year and hopefully there are more great things to come,” Arceri said.