Hauppauge’s Chris Mauriello is fourth wrestler to win six straight league titles
Hauppauge's Chris Mauriello with the takedown against Westhampton's Scott Rentmenter during the 152 lb. match at Hauppauge High School on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. Muriello won by injury default at 1:10. by Joseph D. Sullivan Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Chris Mauriello became the fourth wrestler in Suffolk’s 60-year history to win six straight league titles. The Hauppauge senior won by injury default at 1 minute, 10 seconds of the first period in his bout against Westhampton’s Scott Rementer at 152 pounds.
Mauriello, who’s captured one Suffolk title and placed sixth in the state tournament last year, had two first-period pins and a technical fall on Saturday on his way to the Suffolk V final.
“The goal all season was to get back into the state tournament and win that title,” Mauriello said. “The league tournament is a stepping stone into the county tournament. I want to peak at the right time and have my best performances at this time of year.”
Mauriello used a takedown in the first nine seconds of the final and built a commanding 10-4 lead before the bout was halted with 50 seconds left when Rementer’s badly split lip continued to bleed.
“When I took him down his tooth pierced his lip and they couldn’t stop the bleeding,” Mauriello said. “I felt bad for him. I wanted to keep wrestling but it wasn’t possible. I’m not out there to hurt anyone, it was an accident.”
Mauriello (37-1), who holds the Hauppauge record for wins in a career, is now 240-37.
Defending state champion Adam Busiello of Eastport-South Manor rolled through the 106-pound bracket. The freshman turned in a 14-3 win over Nick Pagnotta of Rocky Point in the final. He improved to 40-0 on the season and earned his fifth tournament title this season.
“It’s all about staying focused on one match at a time,” said Busiello, who is the top-ranked high school wrestler in the country. “I’m healthy, I’m eating right and trying not to battle with my weight. It’s been on cruise control but now it’s serious where any mistake can cost me.”
Busiello also was excited for his older brother, John, who won the 145-pound title with a pin in 1:24 of freshman Liam McIntyre of Westhampton.
“We’re both working towards winning the Suffolk title and then the state,” Adam Busiello said. “That would be great.”
Comsewogue experienced a little bit of greatness when the Warriors crowned their first league champ since 2011. Senior Claude Corbett beat Hauppauge’s Steven Holder, 9-4, in the 160-pound final.
“He’s improved all season,” said Jon Klinger, Comsewogue’s varsity assistant coach in his first year. “He’s a great kid, headed to the University of Pittsburgh to study in the science field. His success is really good for the program, giving us something to build on and motivate other wrestlers.”
East Islip’s Shane Garcia had an impressive tournament. Garcia pinned all four of his opponents in a total of eight minutes to win the 195-pound title. He trailed Rocky Point’s Kyle Strovink into the third period before he hit a cradle and pinned the Eagles wrestler in 5:27.
Rocky Point took home the team honors. The Eagles won their fourth straight league tournament title. They were buoyed by league champions Anthony Sciotto at 99 pounds, Anthony Cirillo at 113, Jack Gold at 132, and C.J. Archer at 138. The parade of champions helped Rocky Point pull off the trifecta of championships, winning the League V tournament and the league and county dual meet titles.
“Our guys have put in the time all year round,” Rocky Point coach Darren Goldstein said. “Our assistant coach Anthony Volpe put in a tremendous amount of extra time getting our guys the much needed experience to get them ready for the season. We had a more complete lineup from top to bottom this year. Our next challenge is to wrestle well and win the county tournament team title.”
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
