Spotlight: Hauppauge Hosts League IV Wrestling Tournament

As sports fans run last-minute errands to prepare for Super Bowl parties this weekend, Hauppauge wrestlers are getting ready for their own local showdown.

The chant "Go Big Blue" will take on a different meaning this weekend for Hauppauge varsity wrestling team, who is hosting the League IV tournament at from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Eagles have the potential to clinch the tournament championship this year, standing undefeated 6-0 in League IV, and 11-1 overall. The team is for victory Saturday to redeem itself, after losing the League V tournament title to Kings Park in 2011.

Hauppauge has already clinched the title of the 2012 Dual Meet champs in by handing Half Hollow Hills West its first defeat, 41 to 25, on Jan. 25. The Eagles also placed sixth out of 99 teams in the Eastern States Wrestling tournament earlier this month, competing against other schools from throughout the northeast region.

Several Hauppauge wrestlers are hoping to bring home a league title and advance to the Suffolk County champions. Wrestlers to watch for include: Chris Mauriello, ranked third on Long Island in the 113-pound weight class; Mark West, ranked first on Long Island in the 130-pound weight class; and Sam Schwartzapfel, who is ranked third in Long Island for the 138-pound weight class.

Senior Nick Mauriello hopes to win a title, as he's currently ranked first on Long Island in the 132-pound weight class. Nick Mauriello

The League IV tournament will start with the preliminaries and quarterfinals at 9:30 a.m. The semi-finals will begin at 2 p.m. with the final matches starting at 6 pm. Saturday.