|
WRESTLING
Seahawks Proving Themselves On The Mats
Young teams early
.500 record surprises coach
By Mike Koehler/ mkoehler@longislandernews.com
Wrestling still doesnt have
the luster of lacrosse in Cold Spring Harbor, but the varsity team continues
to gain more respect.
Coach Mike Ferrugiari took over the program nearly a decade ago. Back
then, student participation was minimal and the wrestling squad was at
risk of being cut entirely. Over the years, Ferrugiari and his coaches
created the first title-winning team in 22 years (2008-09 season) and
instilled fear in their opponents.
Now they kind of look at it and say, I dont know about
the kid, hes pretty tough, he said. I definitely
think were moving up the chain. On Long Island, were definitely
gaining respect.
Last years team did not fair well, largely in part to 11 of 15 weight
classes being filled by freshmen or sophomores. But during that season
and the off-season, Ferrugiari boasted that his guys worked hard and improved
beyond their expectations.
This team is achieving more than we thought they would. Its
a young team thats overachieving. We couldnt be happier with
the results, Ferrugiari said.
Cold Spring Harbor is 1-0 in Conference 4B play and 5-6 overall. They
began the season with the goal of getting better. What actually happened
was a great start after practices began on Nov. 14.
The Seahawks exceeded the .500 mark early on and defeated school rival
Wheatley Wildcats 55-24 on Friday for their first conference win.
We expected to win. The Wheatley coach thought they were going to
win. They did what they were supposed to do and what many others thought
they couldnt do, Ferrugiari said. We kind of blew them
out of the water and hopefully that trend continues.
Unfortunately for Cold Spring Harbor fans, their matchup against Jericho
the next day did not end as well. The Jayhawks defeated the Seahawks 60-28.
We had kind of a rough weekend. We didnt wrestle up to our
potential, Ferrugiari said.
They were hoping for better results on Wednesday evening, after press
time, when they hosted Massapequas B team for Cold Spring Harbors
first alumni night. Former Seahawks wrestlers of any age were invited
to visit.
It should make for a fun, exciting night. For the alumni coming
back for the first time in how many years, its going to make for
a fun night. I really hope we impress them with the wrestling and come
out with a W, the coach said before the match.
Leading the way on Wednesday and through the rest of the season are three
seniors. McKinley Mohrman (132 pounds) is on pace to break several school
records. As of Tuesday, hed already earned 92 wins and 65 pins.
His coach expects him to break the 100-win plateau during the Jan. 11
match against Oyster Bay.
Hes got a ton of schools looking at him, Ferrugiari
said.
Teammate Dylan Cole (285 pounds) serves as a co-captain and just recently
surpassed the 50-win mark. His coach said he came in nearly 50 pounds
heavier as a freshman and has done nothing but worked hard and changed
his lifestyle.
His attitude has changed. Its a credit to the sport of wrestling,
he said.
Fellow co-captain Mike Mulderrig (145 pounds) sported an 11-5 record as
of Tuesday and is a threat to win a county title. Ferrugiari said he grew
up watching brother Brian go on to two All-County honors and more than
50 wins.
Him growing up, just watching his brother go through the program
motivated him to do it one day, the coach said.
Ferrugiari was reluctant to name many other wrestlers, noting that since
so many have worked hard, hed likely have to name them all. However,
he did note that senior Zach Baron (170 pounds) has shown tremendous improvement.
Winning 5 bouts in his first year of wrestling, the former basketball
player has already earned 8 wins this season.
Now he regrets not wrestling in ninth and tenth grade, his
coach said.
The conference schedule may have already begun, but Cold Spring Harbor
is slated to compete primarily in January. Early that month, theyll
take on Locust Valley and Oyster Bay two of the best teams in the
conference and the favorites for the title.
If we won a league title, Id be extremely shocked, but thats
not to say it cant be done. Any wrestler can beat another wrestler
on any given day, Ferrugiari said.
He credited the students dedication and work ethic with the teams
early success, along with parent volunteers for cooking and lending a
hand whenever asked.
The numbers are down this year, but Id rather have 17 guys
than 65 guys with no work ethic or common goals, the coach said.
|
|
|
|
|
Enlarge
This Image |
|
 |
|
|
Owen Love (120
pounds) keeps his Wheatley opponent on the mat for a win on Friday.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|