The Island Trees Wrestling team opened the season with a fourth place finish out of 12 teams at the tough Uniondale Knight Classic. The team had six wrestlers finish in the top four in their respective weight classes.
Freshman Nick Fogarty, sophomore Lucas Panebianco and junior Anthony Barletta each took fourth place. Juniors Marcus Comodo and Matthew Jimenez each took home the silver for the Dogs.
In the final match of the evening, senior Joseph Manna posted a 6-2 victory over the number one ranked wrestler in the county to take home the title. Manna is currently ranked second in Nassau County and fourth on Long Island.
On Saturday, Dec. 11 the Bulldogs made their way east to the Bay Shore Duals. Island Trees went on to take second place at the Bay Shore Duals.
The team went 4 and 1 with wins over Centereach, Bay Shore, Copiague and Holy Trinity.
In the semifinals against Bay Shore, 189-pound senior Keith Andersen used a late takedown to win his match and seal the deal for the Dogs.
In the final match the Bulldogs lost a tough 37-34 decision to Mattituck. Manna, Barletta and Panebianco who all went 5-0 led the team.
Jimenez also had a great day with four wins. Manna was also awarded the outstanding wrestler of the tournament. He currently has a record of 9-0.
The Bulldogs opened their league season Friday, Dec. 17 at home against Manhasset.
The Island Trees Wrestling team took home the first-place trophy at the Valley Stream South Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 18.
The Bulldogs won the tournament with 278 points. The team had seven wrestlers reach the finals where four of them went on to take the gold.
Champions were Chris Burns, Matt Jimenez, Keith Andersen, and Joseph Manna.
At 125, Burns continued his winning ways by posting four victories to claim the title.
Jimenez avenged an early season loss in the finals to secure the gold.
Andersen brought home his first title after surviving an overtime scare in the semifinals.
Manna ran his record to 14-0 by pinning all three of his opponents and taking home the award for most pins in the least amount of time for the tournament.
Silver medalists for the day were Tom Mignone, Kevin Strauss and Tom Sinclair. The Bulldogs other place winners were Miguel Dilone, Caleb Parada, Mike Vera, Lucas Panebianco, Marcus Comodo, Anthony Barletta and Luis Butzgy.
The team hosted Valley Stream North on Wednesday, Dec. 22.
