The Tradition Continues
At the beginning of the 2013-14 Mepham wrestling season, the coaching staff sat down together and discussed their goals for the season. The team had just graduated the best senior class in about twenty years, so many people outside of the program didn’t have high expectations for the Pirates this season. But the coaches knew that there was still a lot of talent left in the room, and set three primary goals in early November: 1) a winning dual meet record, 2) a third consecutive top-ten finish at the County Tournament, and 3) four or more All-County wrestlers. At the end of the season, we are proud to say, mission accomplished.
Goal number one was accomplished as the Pirates finished 6-3 on the season. We finished 4-1 in the league, and earned our way into the Dual Meet Playoffs where we met the Hewlett Bulldogs in the first round for the second straight year. Although we lost to Hewlett, we were extremely proud of the effort that the boys gave against a team that was ranked in the top eight in the county all season long.
Goals two and three were accomplished at the Section 8 Championships where the Pirates once again put on a great display of wrestling. Louis Hernandez became just the second Pirate ever to win three consecutive County Tournaments as he defeated Wantagh’s Nick Vines by major decision, 14-4 in the 152 pound final. Junior Joel Zambrano had the most exciting match of the tournament in the 106 pound semifinals against Long Beach’s Matt Maquet. Down 3-1 with less than ten seconds left in the match, Joel hit a front headlock roll through for two and two to win the match 5-3 and earn a trip to the county finals on his way to a second-place finish. At 132 pounds, senior John Sherlock shook off an early loss and won four consecutive matches to earn his second All-County status with a fourth-place finish. Along the way, he pinned two of the toughest wrestlers in the weight class, North Shore’s Hunter Sharf and Wantagh’s Blaise Kavanaugh. 145 pounder Matt Assael culminated a fantastic senior year in which he won 35 matches with a semifinal appearance. After a hard-fought loss in the semis, Matt fell victim to one of the worst calls in the history of Nassau wrestling in the wrestlebacks, but like the trooper he is, he finished his career on a high note by winning his last match and taking fifth place. Junior Alex Pekoff saved his best performance of the season for the toughest tournament of the year as he made the “blood round,” and nearly earned All County status at 106 pounds. As a result, the Pirates finished in eighth place in the county, making the top ten for the third consecutive year.
At the New York State Championships, Louie Hernandez once again took first place, this year at 152 pounds. Louie advanced to the semifinals via a technical fall and a pin on day one, and on day two, Louie wrestled his toughest match of the season against North Rockland’s Blaise Benderoth. Louie had to come back against the excellent junior from Section I to earn the 7-5 victory. Louie cruised in the finals against Hilton’s Anthony DePrez, winning 8-4. He took DePrez down three times, earned a reversal, and rode the hell out of the Section V senior. Louie became the third Mepham wrestler ever to be a two-time state champion (Alan Stock ’66-’67; Mike Arena ’83-’84). He also closes out his Mepham career as the all-time leader in wins (147) and tournament titles (24). In addition to all of his impressive in-season credentials, in April, Louie became a National Champion at FloNationals at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Louie finished 6-0 during the tournament, and won a thrilling match in the finals against Pennsylvania state champion, Kyle Bova. It was an amazing way to cap off his ridiculous high school career.
Joining Louie on the famous “Wall of Champions” this year will be John Sherlock and Matt Assael. After making numerous appearances in the finals throughout his first three years, John Sherlock finally broke through in the finals of the South Side Tournament where he earned a first period pin over Long Beach’s Tyrese Byron. Johnny also won the Qualifying Tournament with a 7-0 decision over Lynbrook’s Anthony Arena. “Spidey” finishes his career with 98 career victories to go along with his two All-County jackets. Matt Assael is a great example of how much hard work can pay off. After finishing 13-13 his junior year, Matt worked his tail off in the offseason, attending camps, clinics, and entering tournaments. His tireless efforts paid off as Matt finished 35-7 with three tournament titles (Sprig Gardner, Ted Petersen, Qualifier) and an All-County jacket. Younger wrestlers, take notice of Matt’s dramatic turnaround from his junior to senior year. It’s nice to want to be better, but it takes a ton of hard word to actually become better. Put in the work, and you will improve.
We eagerly look forward to the 2014-15 season. Joel is hungry to get back to the County Finals and hopefully make his first trip to Albany. Alex Pekoff got a nice taste of success at the Counties, and he looks to make that next step so that he too will be on the podium at Hofstra next February. Youngsters Tyler Althenn, Matt Lambert, Jeremy Pekoff, and Albert Hernandez will look to take another step in the right direction after successful sophomore and freshman seasons. Which underclassmen are going to dedicate themselves to becoming the best wrestler that they can be? We’ll find that out in November.
One of the hardest parts of being a high school coach is saying goodbye to the seniors each year. The coaching staff would like to wish the seniors well in all of their future endeavors. Whether you were a four-year starter or just came out for your senior season, we hope that the sport of wrestling has made you a better man. In the words of legend Dan Gable, “Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.” Congratulations on another great season, boys; we’re proud of you. Go Pirates!
At the beginning of the 2013-14 Mepham wrestling season, the coaching staff sat down together and discussed their goals for the season. The team had just graduated the best senior class in about twenty years, so many people outside of the program didn’t have high expectations for the Pirates this season. But the coaches knew that there was still a lot of talent left in the room, and set three primary goals in early November: 1) a winning dual meet record, 2) a third consecutive top-ten finish at the County Tournament, and 3) four or more All-County wrestlers. At the end of the season, we are proud to say, mission accomplished.
Goal number one was accomplished as the Pirates finished 6-3 on the season. We finished 4-1 in the league, and earned our way into the Dual Meet Playoffs where we met the Hewlett Bulldogs in the first round for the second straight year. Although we lost to Hewlett, we were extremely proud of the effort that the boys gave against a team that was ranked in the top eight in the county all season long.
Goals two and three were accomplished at the Section 8 Championships where the Pirates once again put on a great display of wrestling. Louis Hernandez became just the second Pirate ever to win three consecutive County Tournaments as he defeated Wantagh’s Nick Vines by major decision, 14-4 in the 152 pound final. Junior Joel Zambrano had the most exciting match of the tournament in the 106 pound semifinals against Long Beach’s Matt Maquet. Down 3-1 with less than ten seconds left in the match, Joel hit a front headlock roll through for two and two to win the match 5-3 and earn a trip to the county finals on his way to a second-place finish. At 132 pounds, senior John Sherlock shook off an early loss and won four consecutive matches to earn his second All-County status with a fourth-place finish. Along the way, he pinned two of the toughest wrestlers in the weight class, North Shore’s Hunter Sharf and Wantagh’s Blaise Kavanaugh. 145 pounder Matt Assael culminated a fantastic senior year in which he won 35 matches with a semifinal appearance. After a hard-fought loss in the semis, Matt fell victim to one of the worst calls in the history of Nassau wrestling in the wrestlebacks, but like the trooper he is, he finished his career on a high note by winning his last match and taking fifth place. Junior Alex Pekoff saved his best performance of the season for the toughest tournament of the year as he made the “blood round,” and nearly earned All County status at 106 pounds. As a result, the Pirates finished in eighth place in the county, making the top ten for the third consecutive year.
At the New York State Championships, Louie Hernandez once again took first place, this year at 152 pounds. Louie advanced to the semifinals via a technical fall and a pin on day one, and on day two, Louie wrestled his toughest match of the season against North Rockland’s Blaise Benderoth. Louie had to come back against the excellent junior from Section I to earn the 7-5 victory. Louie cruised in the finals against Hilton’s Anthony DePrez, winning 8-4. He took DePrez down three times, earned a reversal, and rode the hell out of the Section V senior. Louie became the third Mepham wrestler ever to be a two-time state champion (Alan Stock ’66-’67; Mike Arena ’83-’84). He also closes out his Mepham career as the all-time leader in wins (147) and tournament titles (24). In addition to all of his impressive in-season credentials, in April, Louie became a National Champion at FloNationals at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Louie finished 6-0 during the tournament, and won a thrilling match in the finals against Pennsylvania state champion, Kyle Bova. It was an amazing way to cap off his ridiculous high school career.
Joining Louie on the famous “Wall of Champions” this year will be John Sherlock and Matt Assael. After making numerous appearances in the finals throughout his first three years, John Sherlock finally broke through in the finals of the South Side Tournament where he earned a first period pin over Long Beach’s Tyrese Byron. Johnny also won the Qualifying Tournament with a 7-0 decision over Lynbrook’s Anthony Arena. “Spidey” finishes his career with 98 career victories to go along with his two All-County jackets. Matt Assael is a great example of how much hard work can pay off. After finishing 13-13 his junior year, Matt worked his tail off in the offseason, attending camps, clinics, and entering tournaments. His tireless efforts paid off as Matt finished 35-7 with three tournament titles (Sprig Gardner, Ted Petersen, Qualifier) and an All-County jacket. Younger wrestlers, take notice of Matt’s dramatic turnaround from his junior to senior year. It’s nice to want to be better, but it takes a ton of hard word to actually become better. Put in the work, and you will improve.
We eagerly look forward to the 2014-15 season. Joel is hungry to get back to the County Finals and hopefully make his first trip to Albany. Alex Pekoff got a nice taste of success at the Counties, and he looks to make that next step so that he too will be on the podium at Hofstra next February. Youngsters Tyler Althenn, Matt Lambert, Jeremy Pekoff, and Albert Hernandez will look to take another step in the right direction after successful sophomore and freshman seasons. Which underclassmen are going to dedicate themselves to becoming the best wrestler that they can be? We’ll find that out in November.
One of the hardest parts of being a high school coach is saying goodbye to the seniors each year. The coaching staff would like to wish the seniors well in all of their future endeavors. Whether you were a four-year starter or just came out for your senior season, we hope that the sport of wrestling has made you a better man. In the words of legend Dan Gable, “Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.” Congratulations on another great season, boys; we’re proud of you. Go Pirates!