Preview: Eagles Wrestling Hopes To Defend League Title

Hauppauge Eagles Wrestling team is coming off an an extremely successful 2009-2010 season, in which they won League V championship and individual state titles. Since then, a number of seniors have graduated but others have stepped up for their turn on the mat.

Record last season: 8-0 (17-0); League V champions

Head coach: Chris Messina (29th season)

League/Division: League V, Section XI

Key Wrestlers:

• 96 lb.- Chris Mauriello
• 112 lb.- Mark West; 2010 NYS champion at 96lb.
• 125 lb.- Nick Mauriello
• 130 lb.- Michael Ehlinger
• 135 lb.- Adam Lepkowsky
• 174 lb.- Chris Menendez
• 215 lb.- Anthony Martello

Breakdown:
The Hauppauge Eagles have a tradition of success in varsity wrestling.  Under Messina, the Eagles have lost only one team meet in the last four league seasons out of more than 80 meets. Messina said it's difficult to continue pace, but they keep reloading each year. The community has come to support the Eagles' wrestling more each season with the youth and middle school programs bringing more athletes to the mats in hopes of one day bringing home a medal for Hauppauge.

Six of last year's eight graduating seniors were All-County wrestlers. But, the Eagles return this year with the seven wrestlers who are  ranked in the top five of their weight class in Suffolk County. 

Looking at last year's preseason rankings and the season's final results show that these ranking boards have a strong understanding of the athletes and their competition, but certain things are bound to change. 

Last season's 96lb. wrestler, Mark West, was only a freshman when he won the New York State championship. West is now a year older and 16 lb. heavier, but that doesn't worry Messina.

 "He's done a really good job so far with the weight. He spends a lot of time in the gym, it's all work weight. His showing last year gave everyone a lot of confidence in his ability," he said.

At his new weight, West was one of the busy wrestlers at Hauppauge's first competition this season. The Eagles finished third in a Mahopac, of Section I, tournament on Dec. 11. The winner of  the tournament was Hauppauge's only loss, MacArthur high school from Nassau. Among the Eagles' notable victories from that tournament were wins over Fox Lane, Mahopac, and the 2010 New York State team champions, Rocky Point. 

"It was a good showing. It's important, early on, to make sure everyone stays healthy, but it's also good for them to be competing.  We can't look at this too much, there are going to be a lot of changes in weight classes, and other areas that we can't account for. We'll keep trying to get better," Messina said.

Key Dates: Jan. 7 @ 6p.m. Harborfields at  Hauppauge for the season's home opener.