Unless a wrestler has experienced it, there really is no way for him to truly appreciate what the New York State wrestling championships are like. The tournament is essentially a multi-ring circus involving the state’s best high school wrestlers, mostly sectional champions, laying it all on the line under the glare of thousands in a large, loud arena.
Ethan Schmidt and Colby Suglia have both been there and done that. Now they want to do it again. READ
Seven Mattituck High School senior athletes put pen to paper on national signing day, securing their collegiate futures. In addition to scratching their signatures, they might as well have also written glowingly about the state of lacrosse on the North Fork. READ
Colby Suglia has an agreeable manner — off the lacrosse field. For players on the field wearing opposing uniforms, however, it might be a different story.
As Suglia sees it, lacrosse affords him the opportunity to be himself — on the field.
(more…)
Disappointment.
That was the word of the day.
That was the sentiment expressed by Mattituck/Southold players following their Suffolk County Division II boys lacrosse game in Port Jefferson Thursday. Port Jefferson turned in a stunning performance, coupling outstanding goaltending by freshman Peter Murphy with a game-changing run of eight straight goals for a 12-7 defeat of the Tuckers. READ
Colby Suglia and Ethan Schmidt have both been to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Wrestling Championships before — as spectators.
This time was different. This time the two Mattituck High School juniors were participants. And, yes, it’s a lot different when you’re on the mat, grappling with the best wrestlers in the state, nearly all of whom are sectional champions. READ
Finishing as a county runner-up in wrestling is a nice achievement and something to be proud of, especially in Suffolk County, widely regarded as the top wrestling section in New York State.
And yet, at the same time, it’s awfully bittersweet coming so close to that top step on the podium.
Ethan Schmidt and Colby Suglia know the feeling well. Last year the Mattituck/Greenport/Southold wrestlers were both county runner-up finishers.
Now they know what it feels like to be county champions. READ
Forfeits count in high school wrestling — unfortunately for Mattituck/Greenport/Southold.
Four successive forfeits at the close of Mattituck’s home and league opener Friday night turned a 28-24 Tuckers’ lead into a 48-28 Elwood/John Glenn win. READ
The goal for any returning county runner-up wrestler would have to be the same: Take that next step up the podium. READ
Winning and losing is the cycle of life in high school football. Last season was undeniably a down cycle for Greenport/Southold/Mattituck.
Having graduated 14 players from the previous year, Greenport purple had turned green. The Porters were desperately short on experience. That was reflected in the results and an 0-8 record. READ