Thank you for a great season
-
- March
- 13
To the wrestlers, coaches and parents, thank you for a great 2007-08 wrestling season. The only drawback though, is that it is now officially over. I will be moping around the house until November when the 2008-09 season kicks off.
Wrestlers, coaches and parents, if it was not for your cooperation this season I would not have been able to do my job, and for that, I am quite grateful. There were probably many days during the season where the last thing you needed was to take a call from me (following a long day at school and practice) or see me approaching you with my gleeming dome, asking to interview you at a tournament or match. But, wrestlers, you all were always accomdating.
Congratulations to all of the wrestlers for making it through another grueling season. It doesn’t matter what skill level you’re at, you all deserve credit for competing in this GREAT, but underappreciated sport.
To the seniors, you will all be missed, especially Mahopac 4-time sectional champ Dominick Oddo and Harrison 3-time champ Mark Arcara. I remember Oddo as a 2004 Empire State Games bronze medalist in 2004. That is when I first interviewed him and the following February, that little freshman 96-pounder won the title, joining his father as a sectional champion.
I remember Mark Arcara as a 6-year old, coming around the matches and tournament with his father, Frank, or ‘Cuz’ as everyone knows him. Harrison coach Vinny Nicita told me that Mark would be his next great wrestler, and he was right.
I would later meet up with Mark and his classmate/teammate/best friend, Al Volpe, as 6th-graders. I was doing a long-term Social Studies position from the first day of school in 2001. In walks Mark and Al for first period. During class, I would often ask Mark how he did in a kids tournament or how he was feeling. The students thought I was nuts. It just seemed like yesterday. Now, Arcara and Volpe are seniors and will graduate in June. Guys, thank you for always being respectful in class those four months and any other time I substituted for one of your 7th- or 8th-grade teachers. And, thank you for always being cool with me when it came to an interview.
I remember New Rochelle coach Jim Guccione telling me five years ago to keep an eye on a pair of promising eighth-graders he had in Tom Antonioli and Danny Zimon. Guccione was excited to have this two New Rochelle kids-club graduates stepping up to varsity. Guccione had every right to be excited.
All Antonioli did was become the first New Rochelle wrestler to place in sectionals five times and this year, win the 145-pound sectional title. Antonioli will graduate as the program’s winningest wrestler. Zimon was a sectional finalist in 2005 and placed two other times and amassed more than 100 wins. Together, the seniors were a dynamic tandem. Congratulations to both and all the best in college.
Before I conclude this post, let me cite the great season Lakeland/Panas’ Joe Hauser had. The junior bumped up two weight classes, from 125 to 135, in late January, won the Super 16, Divisional and was a sectional finalist. He accomplished all of this despite losing his father last fall in a car accident. It is difficult enough to deal with the passing of your father, let alone compete in a mentally and physically-demanding sport like wrestling, keep it together and have a successful season. Joe Hauser, the Section 1 wrestling community should be proud to have you. We will see you next year – in a sectional final and then in Albany for the state championships.
And I hope to see all of you next November. Thank you, and thank you to all of the positive contributors to this blog.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, March 13th, 2008 at 11:40 pm by Tony Pinciaro.
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Tony PinciaroPinciaro, who grew up in Silver Lake, has been covering high school wrestling for The Journal News for 14 years. During this period he has covered some of Section 1's finest wrestlers from Joe Mazzurco to Griff Powell to P.J. Bory to Phil Donnelly, just to name a few. Tony is married with two children, Elena, 9, and Vincent, 6, a future
Section 1 wrestler. (He can already take his father down with a double.)
thanks tony
Thank you for your coverage, predictions, (even though they were not always the way we liked) over the past 5 years we
enjoyed reading your blog and topics in the local paper as well.
My husband and I will not know what to do with ourselves come November and we have no wrestling tournaments to go to.
I was talking with Liz Zurla at states and she said since she has no more sons to wrestle she is thinking of adopting another boy. I am with her. I am sooooo going to miss it.
Our years with New Rochelle have been the best. We love Gooch, Eddie, Beck & Paul. They made Thomas’ years at NR
very succcessful. It was a great five years.
Thanks again.
Marypat Antonioli
Tony;
Thanks for a great season of coverage.
There are two youth tournaments on the horizon
Carmel is this Sat the 15th.
Brewster is a week later Sat the 22d
info at www.section1youthwrestling.com
haha damn rite shes adopting a kid.. Ill teach him everything i know! Hell have a better cradle than I do!! Congrats to everyone on an amazing season. Section 1 is slowly becoming a deep section and our improvements were very obvious at the state tournament this year. We have an incredible group of wrestlers returning next year. I cannot wait for November. To all the wrestlers- keep working hard because we will be the best one day
-Marc
Oh and thanks a ton Tony.. You’re the best reporter around bar none
MP
We were empty nesters and still followed the FL squad. It’s really easier….no heartburn, no nerves….you just enjoy the boys. Do it next year! And you can console the other nutsey nervous parents in the stands. Life after is not that bad!
FLP
We wont be empty nesters, still have a 13 year old daughter.
Not a wrestler though. I will still go watch New Ro. I love those kids. Will do much better now that Thomas is done.
Thanks.
MP
Tony,
You’re such a class act….we’re the ones who should be thanking you. I totally agree with Marc Zurla, you are the BEST reporter around bar none.
Janet Protano
So no wrestling took place this season in Rockland???
what are you talking about Harry. Who said no wrestling took place in Rockland.
It seems that Tony only thanks Westchester for a great wrestling season. I am sure there were some great things in Rockland wrestling this year. I am not saying Westchester did not have a great season. They did, much better than Rockland, but let’s not forget other great moments and be bias.
opps…and NOT be bias.
Mr. Doyle –
Can you please point out to me where I specifically say
‘Thank you to Westchester wrestlers only’
for a great season?
THANK YOU TONY I THOUGHT HE WAS MISSING THE POINT ALL TOGETHER AS WELL.
MP
Harry-
You are making your self sound stupid Tony just mentioned a few really good wrestlers, and i said few because there are a lot of them in the section and he cant mention all of them. Tony good job covering everything this year and I cant wait till next season.
The actual quote was, “Congratulations to all of the wrestlers for making it through another grueling season”. As to any parents who feel lost because your son has graduated, I know that feeling but theres still a team. Most of you have learned all the names and went to tournaments not only for your own sons but his teamates also. There is a ton of parents who still follow not only their graduated sons team but other wrestlers we have learned to love to watch and cheer on. I even bought plane tickets to states but unfortunately couldnt make it. But I did find a live broadcast online. So you don’t have to feel empty because I guarantee that when you go to a dual meet or tournament to cheer on those other great kids you’ve learned to care about that hole gets filled right back up. Besides for section one to grow and like Marc Zurla said “become the best one day” we need more than the kids to do their part we need the adults and fans to show everyone and other sections that we (SECTION ONE) KNOW that wrestling is a GREAT sport. So when the season starts up get a team schedule and go to some dual meets or tournaments. Let those kids know that you appreciate them and their hard work. Don’t be afraid to congratulate them even if they dont personally know you.We make a difference when they feel like they make a difference. Tony GREAT COVERAGE and to all you wrestlers, I believe their is no greater heart and will than that of a wrestler. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR AND TO ALL WHO CAME BACK. REMEMBER OFF SEASON WRESTLING MAKES A DIFFERENCE.