Blue Devils Have 10 All-League Wrestlers Headed to County Tournament

The Blue Devils will be sending 10 wrestlers to the Section XI championships next weekend after each of them placed in the top four of their respective weight class at the League III tournament last Saturday in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium at Huntington.

In a marked improvement from a year ago, the Blue Devils scored 156 points and fielded a much more competitive team with All-League wrestlers spanning weight classes from 118 through 285 lbs. The gym was packed as the action played out over nine grueling hours.

Huntington Superintendent Beth McCoy, Deputy Superintendent Christopher J. Hender and Assistant Superintendent Brenden Cusack and Huntington Booster Club President David Evans all stopped in to watch as the wrestlers competed on three mats for the right to advance to the county tournament.

Dante Francis (126 lbs.), Kingsley Evans (157 lbs.) and Vince Pupillo (165 lbs.) all reached the finals after winning a series of thrilling matches, but all of them fell in the championship round bout to finish second in their respective weight class. Joe Conklin was third at 150 lbs. and Gevonne Henderson was third at 157 lbs.

Chris Granito (118 lbs.), Walter Kusterbeck (144 lbs.), Jose Quintanilla (190 lbs.), Will Peters (215 lbs.) and Danny Cabrera (285 lbs.) all placed fourth and will also be advancing to the county tournament next Saturday and Sunday at Stony Brook University.

Huntington was coached in the tournament by Andy Marlow, Anthony Annunziata and Travis Smith. It marked the first time the Blue Devils had hosted the tournament in many years.

“I wouldn’t say we peaked, but our wrestlers definitely knew what was at stake and showed up and wrestled with determination and focus to get the job done and qualify for next week’s [Section XI] championships. They look forward to the opportunity to wrestle for all-county honors and add their names to the long list of great Huntington wrestlers,” said coach Marlow.

“It was great to wrestle in front of our home crowd at these championships. Our fans get pretty vocal and were behind our guys all the way. I know it gave our wrestlers that little bit of extra confidence and energy,” added the coach.