Mahopac Grapplers Open with Success

MAHOPAC—The Mahopac High wrestling team enjoyed a solid opening week that concluded with a third-place finish in the Rye Wrestling Tournament last weekend.

The Indians finished third out of 15 teams and juniors Steve Pagliuca and Andrew Scopino each won their weight classes. Pagliuca wrestles at 125 pounds and Scopino at 275 pounds.

That tournament performance was preceded by a 74-12 road victory over Iona Prep on Dec. 3, and 56-24 win over Lakeland/ Panas at home on Dec. 1.

Coach Juan Torres was impressed by his team’s performance at the tournament since some of its top wrestlers, including senior Justis Flamio, who has made it to the state finals two years in a row, did not take part.

Despite finishing well, Torres pointed out that his young team wanted to do much better.

“The kids wanted that first place,” Torres said, adding that he was impressed by their desire to succeed even though they didn’t have some of their top performers.

The Dec. 3 victory over Iona Prep included great performances by many of Mahopac’s wrestlers.

Freshman Zach Boker won by forfeit at 96 pounds. Sophomore Paul Caruso lost by pin at 1:48 of the first round at 103 pounds. Freshman Danny Walsh won by a 5-3 decision at 112 pounds. Junior Danny Quarto won by pin at 1:01 of the first round at 119. Sophomore Max Bachmeir won by pin in 48 seconds of the first round at 125 pounds. Pagliuca won by pin at 49 seconds of the first round at 130 pounds. Junior Brian Carson won by forfeit at 135 pounds. Flamio won by technical fall 18-3 at 140 pounds. Sophomore Alex Kinkler won via pin at 2:42 of the second round at 145 pounds. Sophomore Mike Spinelli won by forfeit at 152 pounds. Freshman Aaron Gallagher won by pin at 1:06 of the first round at 160 pounds. Tom Viento won by pin at 5:36 of third round at 171 pounds. Sophomore Tyler Otero won by pin at 3:51 of the second

round at 189 pounds. Freshman Nick Bocchino lost by pin at 3:23 of the second

round at 215 pounds. Senior Andrew Scopino won by pin at 28 seconds of the first round at 275 pounds.

Torres was impressed with how his team came out and wrestled well from the beginning. He pointed out that that wasn’t the case against Lakeland/Panas and that his charges made sure it wouldn’t happen again.

“They came out a little more on fire, a little more aggressive,” Torres said, adding that his team worked hard in practices between the matches to eliminate mistakes that were made against Lakeland/ Panas.

“We did not see any of those mistakes,” he said regarding the Iona Prep match.

Torres was impressed with Walsh. The youngster showed a lot of grit in having to go up against a tough junior. “He is just one tough freshman,” Torres said.

In that 56-24 victory over Lakeland/ Panas, Walsh won by pin at 1:12 of the first round at 112 pounds. Quarto won by pin at 48 seconds of the first round at 119. Pagliuca won by pin at 39 seconds of the first round at 125 pounds. Bachmeir won by pin at one minute of the first round at 130 pounds. Carson won by forfeit at 135 pounds. Flamio also won by forfeit at 140 pounds.

Senior Patrick Bruenn lost by a 13-4 decision at 145 pounds. Spinelli won by pin at 1:03 of the first round at 152 pounds. Junior Tom Viento won by a 10-2 decision at 160 pounds. Sophomore Mitch Vallen lost by pin at 58 seconds of the first round at 171 pounds. Otero lost by pin at 1:43 of the first round at 189 pounds. Rich Delahanty lost by pin at 5:54 of third period at 215 pounds. Scopino won by forfeit at 275 pounds.

The team also picked up wins at 96 and 103 pounds by forfeit.

Torres said he was impressed with the fact that they had so many pins during the season opener.

The team was to host the first round of the Section 1 Dual Meet Championships on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and would compete on Thursday if they are victorious. That will be followed by participation in the Woodlands Tournament in Hartsdale on Saturday beginning at 9:30