2013-14 wrestlers to watch
Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
VITO ARUJAU
Syosset, Freshman, 113 pounds
The Nassau champion at 99 pounds, Arujau was just an overtime period away from a state title as an eighth grader. Defeated defending state champ Kyle Quinn of Wantagh at 120 pounds in a tournament final at Long Beach in December. |
Credit: Pat Orr
NICK CASELLA
Locust Valley, Junior, 120 pounds
Has finished second in the state each of the past two years -- at 99 pounds in 2012 and 113 pounds in 2013. Finished last season with a 39-4 record, including avenging one of those loses (Cheick Ndiaye) in the state semifinals. |
Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
MIKE D'ANGELO (right)
Commack, Junior, 132 pounds
Finished second in Suffolk at 120 pounds and fifth in the State. Went 40-4 last year, losing only to the Suffolk champ Travis Passaro and state champion Alex Delacruz. |
Credit: Pat Orr
JESSE DELLAVECCHIA
East Islip, Junior, 120 pounds
Finished fourth at states at 99 pounds after a third-place finish in Suffolk. Went 44-3 after a 39-0 regular season -- his only losses were in the county and state tournaments. |
Credit: Richard Slattery (2011)
FREDDY DUNAU (right)
St. Anthony's, Senior
Three-time defending Catholic League state champion won at 126 pounds last season and took fifth place in the Public School championship in Albany. Went 24-3, with two of his losses in the public school tournament. |
Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
TOMMY DUTTON
Rocky Point, Junior, 145/152, 145 for counties and states
Defending Suffolk champion at 138 pounds finished fourth in the state. Has more than 170 career wins and has won a League championship and placed at counties each of the last four years. |
Credit: George A. Faella
DENNIS FERRO (top)
East Islip, Senior, 152 pounds
Finished third in Suffolk at 145 pounds last year and put up a strong showing at the state championships, winning two wrestleback matches. Had a strong showing at the Super 32 tournament, winning five matches. |
Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
LOUIS HERNANDEZ
Mepham, Senior, 152 pounds
Returns for his senior season as the defending state champion at 145 pounds. Hernandez went 51-1 in his junior season. Placed third at the Super 32 challenge in North Carolina in October. |
Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
JAMES O'HAGAN
Seaford, Senior, 185 pounds
The defending Nassau champion at 285 pounds also finished third in the state. Finished 39-2 last season with his only losses to state champion Michael Hughes. |
Credit: Pat Orr
TRAVIS PASSARO
Eastport-South Manor, Sr, 126 pounds
The returning Suffolk champion at 120 pounds, Passaro finished third in the state. Passaro also defeated the state champion, Alex Delacruz of Ossining, in a separate tournament weeks after states, according to ESM head coach Nick Garone. |
Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
KYLE QUINN
Wantagh, Junior, 113 pounds
The defending state champion at 106 pounds, Quinn enters his junior season as a leader on a retooling Wantagh team. Finished third at 106 pounds in the NHSCA tournament in Virginia Beach in the offseason. |
Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
STEVEN SCHNEIDER
MacArthur, Senior, 170 pounds
The defending Nassau champion at 160 pounds also finished second in the state. He has committed to wrestle at Binghamton. |
Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
NICK WEBER (bottom)
Kings Park, Senior, 195 pounds
Finished second in Suffolk at 195 pounds and fifth in the state last season. Will be the wrestler to beat at 195 in Suffolk and a top contender in the state. |
