South Side Wrestling Takes Second in School Tourney

The Mepham Pirates showed off its tournament dominance again on Saturday, winning the  Tournament hosted by Rockville Centre. 

Mepham finished in first place with 308.5 total team points. Host school South Side finished in a distant second with 179.5 team points. It was Mepham's second consecutive tournament victory after winning the  last week. The eight-team tournament included wrestlers from Oceanside, Mepham, Chaminade, Lynbrook, Plainview, Hempstead, Hicksville and South Side.

Most Outstanding Wrestler

Mike Paccione of Mepham was named the tournament's most outstanding wrestler. Paccione won the tournament at 145 pounds with a 13-1 decision win in the finals. It was Paccione's second consecutive win at the South Side tourney. His most effective move was a high crotch that set up multiple take downs and points.

Paccione said he credits his confidence and hard work as the key to his success. "Wrestling hard and always knowing I can win," he said.

Like his team, this is also Piccione's second tournament victory after winning last week's Sprig Gardner tournament, also at 145 pounds.

South Side

The second place finish for the Cyclones was a step in the right direction, and head coach Jason Washington said he was impressed with his team's improvement from last week's tournament.

"It was a good test for our varsity players," Washington said. "There was a lot of aggressive, good wrestling"

One of the most aggressive wrestlers for South Side was Steve Meoli, who won the tournament in the 215 pounds weight class. For Meoli, it was his second gold medal of the tournament. Using his strength and an elevator roll, Meoli was able to fight his way throughout the tournament.

"It is a great feeling," Meoli said. "The victory feels fantastic."

South Side had eleven wrestlers place in the tournament, including three who won their respective weight classes. Joining Meoli with a first place finish was Christian Lethridge (171 pounds) and James Rodriguez (140 pounds).

Thomas Cozier (103 pounds) won the Mike Manzella Award for South Side. The award is named after a Rockville Centre resident and Chaminade wrestler who died from brain cancer in college.

Up next for the Cyclones is a dual meet against Wantagh on Wednesday night.

Mepham

The Mepham Pirates' dominating day included six, first-place finishes, which was very impressive to Mepham head coach Rich Anderson.

 "They were all going for the pin, fall and extra points," Anderson said.

Besides Paccione's gold-medal win, the other first place finishers were Steven Tsai (160 pounds), Louis Hernendez (135 pounds), Gary Dubovick (130 pounds), Nick Gangi (125 pounds) and Jamie Dunn at 103 pounds.

The victory was a total team effort with first and second-team wrestlers scoring points and placing in the tournament.

"We were very aggressive and did not let up on office" Anderson said.

The team will look to continue their winning ways with a dual meet on Wednesday against Kennedy at 7  p.m.

Lynbrook

With the return of three wrestlers from the Conference III Long Island Football Championship team, Lynbrook placed third in the tournament with a team total of 140 points.

It was the first matches of the season for the returning football champs, and coach Bob Bennet said he was very pleased with how the Owls wrestled. 

"They did very well," Bennet said."They all gave 100 percent out there today."

One of Lynbrook's returning wrestlers included Mario Pucchio, who dominated the 285 pound weight class. Pucchio had the fastest pins in the tournament, defeating each opponent within the first period.

"It's amazing and surprising too," Pucchio said of his fast success.

Pucchio said he credits his hard work in practice and the headlock move as the key to his quick pins.

"Working hard in practice with my partner, and the headlock straight up, I've been using that move since eighth grade," he said.

Lynbrook finished with seven wrestlers placing in the tournament. Up next for the Owls will be a dual meet against Valley Stream South on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Total Team Points

Mepham 308.5

South Side 179.5

Lynbrook 140

Chaminade 137.5

Plainview 100

Oceanside 79

Hempstead 41

Hicksville 34.5