Blue Devil Wrestlers Win Under Huge Mat Lamp
December 20, 2024
Grappling under the 50,000 lumen bright mat lamp in Louis D. Giani Gym for the first time, the Huntington wrestling team upset visiting Northport in a Suffolk League III dual meet this week, 37-31.
In many ways it was the “tale of two meets,” with Huntington winning the first four matches and seven of the first eight and building a huge advantage before the Tigers came roaring back over the final five bouts.
Senior Thomas Smith started things off for Huntington with a 14-0 major decision at 190 lbs. Junior Will Peters following with a first period pin in 1:13 at 215 lbs. Sophomore Jason Mejia (285 lbs.) won a wild back and forth match with a pin in 3:46. Seventh grader Jason Bencivenga looked like a seasoned veteran while pinning Hunter Strause in 30 seconds at 101 lbs.
Winning 22-0 and looking to further pad their lead, the Blue Devils watched in disbelief when freshman Chris Granito (108 lbs.) was pinned in 3:13 while winning the match. Granito jumped out to an early lead and appeared head to victory because getting caught on his back in the second period. Huntington then won the next three matches to put the team safely ahead.
Freshman Dante Francis looked sharp in a match that lasted just 45 seconds before he pinned River Donoghue at 116 lbs. Freshman Charlie Cirlincione followed at 124 lbs. with a hard fought 11-5 decision. Junior Walter Kusterbeck capped Huntington’s run with a 0:26 second pin at 131 lbs.
Northport charged back, but fell short as Huntington claimed victory before an usually large crowd that included many alumni.
It was a fun night for the Blue Devils, with a spectacular performance by senior vocalist Liva Camarata, who sang the national anthem under the spotlight. Coach Ron Wilson was the announcer and Superintendent Beth McCoy and Principal Rochelle Brown were among those in the crowd.
