Connequot's Zullo pinned down priorities

Connetquot's John Zullo says he made the right decision. The 171-pound senior wrestler grappled with the consequences and came out the other end satisfied with himself.

The dilemma started before football season, where he was expected to contribute as a two-way player for the Thunderbirds. A standout lacrosse player, he had a partial athletic scholarship offer from The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

In order to qualify for an additional academic scholarship from the school, he needed to increase his SAT score. The time-consuming football commitment did not fit into the schedule of his SAT classes.

The decision came down to economics.

"I really liked football, but it was in my better interest to get more money for college," Zullo said.

That is not to say the decision was easy. His football buddies tried to convince him to play. Little by little, he explained his thinking, and his friends understood. So he gave up the gridiron in favor of three three-hour SAT prep classes per week.

Initially, the jealously set in as Zullo went to the football games and watched his old teammates do what he loves. But he stayed the course, his eye on the prize that would pay for college.

"When I first started class and saw what a commitment it would be, I was worried," Zullo said. "Halfway through the course, I noticed that I could actually do this."

In the fall, Zullo increased his SAT mark by 250 points. He qualified for the academic scholarship at St. Rose, comforted that he can earn a diploma without a mountain of debt.

Now, his 14-4 record entering this weekend can give him comfort. A county championship contender on the mat, Zullo is back to competing. His wrestling coach, Bill Santoro, could not be happier.

"He is one of those kids who I don't have to hesitate to use as an example to the younger kids," Santoro said. "He has his priorities in order.

"If I had 15 John Zullos, I could just sit back and have a cup of coffee."

Zullo has little more than a cup of coffee left in his high school career. As for the dilemma that brought him to this point, there are no regrets.

"In the heat of the moment, nobody wants to stop doing what they love," Zullo said. "When you actually sit down and think about it, it's actually smarter than everyone thinks."