Huntington Wrestlers Win Tournament Team Title

Five Huntington wrestlers won individual weight class championships and the Blue Devils won the team title, besting squads from five other Long Island high schools at last Saturday’s Lou Giani Invitational. Huntington’s Zachary Zboray was voted the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler and Sam Nicotra won the Most Pins in the Least Amount of Time Award.

Huntington narrowly edged Kings Park in the team standings, 268-256. Port Jefferson (236.5), Massapequa (92), Roslyn (71) and St. Anthony’s (44) trailed the leaders.

Justin Villatoro (126 lbs.), Enzo Pupillo (132), Sam Nicotra (138), Max Casiano (160) and Zachary Zboray (172) all captured first place at their respective weight class. Jonathan Granito (118) and Dante Salgado (138) placed second. Cristian Alfaro (132), Brett Bender (145), Christian St. John (172), Joe Algieri (215) and Silvio Torres (285) finished in third place. Vincent Pupillo (145) placed fourth.

Nicotra’s four pins in a combined 2:55 garnered the junior an award. Enzo Pupillo, Salgado and Casiano also had four pins each. Several other Huntington wrestlers had three pins each.

The day included many surprises. The Blue Devils looked especially sharp for the season opening tournament, which played out in Lou Giani Gymnasium before a crowd of about 300.

“All things considered, we looked very good,” Huntington head coach Travis Smith said. The Blue Devils were not at full strength with several starters out of the lineup due to either sickness, injury or personal situations.

“The team has been working hard and was well-conditioned for this tournament,” Smith said. “It was great to win so many matches.

Huntington returns to the mat on Saturday when the Blue Devils vie in the Locust Valley Invitational.