Clarkstown North Wrestling Preview

The Daily Sports Digest is Patch’s way of increasing reader involvement in sports coverage. We encourage you to add your best photo and/or video to share. If you see anything in our scores, standings or schedule that requires updating, please e-mail us directly at HVDailySportsDigest@gmail.com or like us on Facebook and post updates on our wall.

--

After going 10-5 last year and winning the Mamaroneck, Beacon, and Clarkstown North tournaments the Clarkstown North Wrestling team will be looking to make some noise this season, even though they graduated a plethora of solid athletes. Recently Patch caught up with head coach Anthony Melliono to discuss the upcoming season.

As far as age and, more importantly experience goes, what type of team do you expect to have this season?

“We will be a VERY young team after graduating 16 seniors last year. With just a few exceptions, most of our starting line-up will feature athletes experiencing varsity competition for the first time. But we have one of the most experienced staffs in all of the Section, if not the state. I am now in my 20th season at Clarkstown North High School; Coach Ondich is in his 32nd year after leading perennial power Truman High School for 20 years having 10 all-state wrestlers; Coach DiGiaccomo is in his 10th season with us after being on Ithaca College's Division III Championship team in 1993; and Coach Mellino, Sr., is in his 46h season coaching high school wrestling and has been inducted in both the New York State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame as well as the National Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. With all this experience, the athletes will be exposed to a variety of technique each and every day.”

What were some of the weaknesses your team had last year that you hope to improve upon this season?

“Last season, we were statistically a strong team and had a very successful season. But the one area I have already seen an improvement in is the day to day work ethic in the room. This year's squad, although perhaps not as talented on paper, is more focused and everyone is putting in 100% effort.”

Who are some of your returning players coming back who you see being big contributors?

“Colby Kash, who was 32-9 and 3rd in the Division; Ryan Becker, 22-10 and 4th in the Division; Dean Guevarra, 2nd in the Division and 5th in the Section; and Justin Hong, 21-4 and 3rd in the Division, are the most experienced athletes that will take the mat for the RAMS. Each of these wrestlers should have a strong chance at a possible Division title and All-Section honors.”

Who are some of your new players you are expecting to thrust into a larger role on the team?

“We will have quite a number of rookies stepping onto the mat in varsity competition, possibly 10-11 new faces. We have high hopes for some of them but potential and actual results are two different things so I will reserve judgment until I see them in action and not in the practice room.”

How has the team been preparing in the off-season?

“As soon as the 2010-2011 season ended, our wrestlers immediately began off-season training which included not only wrestling twice a week in the evenings but daily weight training as well. Over the summer, we had some wrestlers attend summer wrestling camps while others travelled with Coach Ondich to Europe for a wrestling cultural exchange trip. Then this Fall, the coaches began pre-season wrestling clinics in the evenings as well as daily weight training everyday after school. As the old wrestling saying goes, summer wrestling makes winter champions!”

What are your goals for the season as a team?

“On the mat, our goals are quite simple: to see each wrestler reach his potential whether that be a section title, making the varsity team, or just finishing the season which is very long and physically demanding. Our team goals are to repeat as a NYS Scholar-Athlete team and be recognized with a Sportsmanship Team/Coach Award which are the only two things we have direct control over. Our success on the mat will be a combination of hard work, dedication, commitment, and execution of the technique they have been taught.”

Are there one or two games circled on the schedule this season?

“Not really. Due to we being such a young team, every time they take the mat will be a step towards fulfilling their goals at the end of the season. No one competition is more important than another but we do set three main peaking points: the Rockland County Tournament, the Division Tournament, and the Section Tournament.”

What are you personally looking forward to this season?

“I am really looking forward to working day in and day out with the kids in the room. To be honest, I don't really enjoy the competition as much as the day to day interactions of teaching technique to the kids. Perhaps it is the educator in me but I love working with the kids and seeing their growth from November through February.”

Yesterday’s Results:

Sport: Ice Hockey

Game: Nyack/Tappan Zee vs. Sleepy Hollow/Irvington

Score: Nyack/Tappan Zee Won 8-3

Highlights: Mike Mcgivney had three goals, and two assists in the win. Brian O’Connor added 19 saves.

Sport: Girl’s Bowling

Game: Clarkstown vs. Pearl River

Score: Pearl River Won 5-2

Highlights: Winter Ninvaggi let Clarkstown with the two highest games of the day, as well as the high series at 505. Pearl River was led by Sarah O’Malley 462 and Krystle Cutie 451.

Sport: Boy’s Bowling

Game: Clarkstown vs. Pearl River

Score: Clarkstown Won 5-2

Today’s Schedule:

In Girl’s Basketball, Clarkstown South will face off at Sleepy Hollow at 4:30 p.m.

In Girl’s Basketball, Clarkstown North will take on Lakeland at 7 p.m.