'Outstanding Season' for Port Wrestling

"had another outstanding season," Head Coach Anthony Schettino told Patch.

Here's what he had to say about the season.

"Team accomplishments include: Finishing a strong 16-6 in dual meets while qualifying for the Nassau County Dual Meet Playoffs where the team made the quarter finals. The team also won four dual meets in a row beating teams from both Nassau and Suffolk counties to be named Champion of Champions at the Wheatley Tournament, took a hard fought second place in the eight team Busby Classic and second place at the PSAL Tournament which included teams from New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and upstate New York.

"In individual competition the Vikings had an outstanding Section VIII Qualifying Tournament where they came out with a record 9 All-Conference wrestlers that included (Michael Froccaro, Tony Kim, Nick Dilucia, Noah Tanenbaum, Chris Castillo, Anton Vlahek, Wayne Baker, Elmer Mendez and Anthony D’Aversa.) 

"To cap off the season, Qualifying Champion Christian Castillo (Junior 35-9) earned the Most Pins in Least Time Award after pinning every opponent he met including a 1:03 pin in the finals of the Section VIII Qualifying Tournament.  Christian followed that up by earning All-County honors at the Section VIII Championship Tournament at Hofstra University this past Saturday and Sunday. Castillo is only the 6th underclassman (junior) wrester to earn All-County honors in program history. Castillo shined on the first day of the tournament pinning his way to the quarter finals where he met one of the top wrestlers in the state.  Castillo wrestled a hard fought match however; he would eventually drop a close 1 point decision and begin a long hard road back to placement.  Castillo called upon his skills and conditioning throughout the season while defeating multiple opponents including Julius Diaz of Freeport with a last second takedown in the third period earning him prestigious All-County honors."

With the level of hard work and desire to improve, Schettino said he and his staff "are extremely excited about the talent and chemistry this team holds.  The Viking wrestlers will also be returning five junior, 13 sophomore, 14 freshman and two middle school wrestlers next season which bodes extremely well for future success.

"After taking a break to recharge the batteries, the coaching staff will be providing their expertise this off-season and summer at tournaments, open mats, folkstyle, freestyle and Greco Roman clinics and camps. These opportunities provide an outstanding environment for all to learn and to improve and that is also a key to this program’s success."