Wrestler's MRSA Case Prompts Safety Discussion

A Hauppauge wrestler's battle against a potentially fatal MRSA infection has stepped up discussions calling for new wrestling safety procedures.

Junior Nick Mauriello Jr. plans to attend classes at Hauppauge High School on Tuesday, according to his wrestling coach Chris Messina, for the first time since . His life-or-death battle against MRSA led to a discussion to create new statewide wrestling safety protocols.

"This is something positive, but it only came about because someone almost died," Messina said, a high school wrestling coach for 29 years.

Mauriello was hospitalized after he complained of neck pain and breathing problems after competing in 18 matches over an eight-day span in January. Medical tests revealed he had contracted Methicillian-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus which turned into the rare but deadly Lemierre's syndrome, a bacteria infection in the mouth or throat that spreads through the circulatory system.

While Mauriello's MRSA case was not definitively linked to wrestling, the disease is commonly spread through contact sports due to skin contact, abrasions or wounds.

State Sen. Lee Zeldin, R-Shirley, called a Monday meeting of local wrestling coaches, Section 11 officials and doctors to discuss creating standard safety guidelines for high school wrestling.

"No one really follows the protocols as safely and cautiously as they should, and it starts at your own school," said Terry Phelan, wrestling coach at William Floyd High School.

Discussion centered on best mat cleaning practices from mop wipedowns to use of ultraviolet sterilizers, like the machines Messina uses at .

"The [Center for Disease Control], so no one is upset about the expense issue, recommends that chlorine bleach properly diluted is the best solution," said Dr. Philip Schrank, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine.

"Those schools who are using the bleach are very seldom getting problems," Messina added.

He said there have been two MRSA outbreaks among New York's high school wrestlers in the past two years, bringing a new light to the issue.

Suffolk coaches blamed a lack of facilities, such as schools lacking showers for athletes, and the competitive drive for the surge in infections within the sport.

"It's different for a coach, when you see someone who has something because it forces you to question another coach," said Tony Mecca, one of William Floyd's wrestling coach. "You don't want to lose your No. 1 kid because he has ringworm. There are some coaches who will bypass the system."

Schrank said a nose swab test is available to test athletes who are suspected of carrying MRSA, but at $20 per an analysis, would exceed any high school's athletic budget.

Suggestions from the panel included using a standard mat disinfecting procedure at section and state tournaments, mandating showers be available at schools that host tournaments, a tighter skin check pre-match routine, and launching an educational campaign for referees, coaches, parents and athletes.

Zeldin said he plans to draft legislation with possible help of Section 11 officials, to bring before the state senate. The freshman senator is seeking a co-sponsor in the assembly.