2011-12 Preview: Sachem East Wrestling

Sachem East’s strength will be in the middle of its lineup this season. Though it loses two all-county wrestlers in Sean O’Malley and Frank Merante, a handful of top competitors are back again this year and look to guide East back to the top of the county.

The Arrows move into League II this season – due to enrollment – and will be one of the top teams along with Connetquot.

“It will be a little different for us,” O’Hara said. “Connetquot is a very good team. They’re going to be our main league competition.”

With three all-county returnees, the Thunderbirds will pack a punch on the mat, but they also have to adjust their game to a Sachem team that finished fifth in the county last season.

“That will be a big match for us,” O’Hara said. “It’s one of those days you have circled on the calendar.”

East has some depth in its lineup and should be able to place more wrestlers in the League II tournament, then in League I, which has perennial favorites Brentwood and Longwood and solid programs like Floyd and Ward Melville.

The early part of the season started last week. To recap their tournament experience at Baldwin, .

Head coach: Sean O’Hara (Class of ‘92), 8^th season (98-42)

Last season: Fifth in the county 

Key Wrestlers

99 pounds: Doug Iadanza: He started last season as an eighth grader and showed a lot of promise. Ripe as a freshman this year, Iadanza should have a strong season.

120: Mike Rothbaum: Rothbaum, a senior, hurt his knee last year and missed the second half of the season. He’s fully recovered and is looking to progress farther than he ever has in his career.

126: Jake Restrepo: He transferred to Sachem from Longwood. “He’ll be a real nice addition for us,” said Sachem coach Sean O’Hara. Restrepo is a freshman but is experienced coming from the top program in the state.

126 or 132: Conor O’Hara: A three time all-league wrestler and county runner-up in 2010, O’Hara is a junior captain. “I’m looking to be one of the top ranked kids in the county,” he said. “Being so close to winning during my freshman year, I was right there, and it motivates me more still.”

132: Anthony Messina: A sophomore, he’s a two-year starter and returning all-league wrestler.

138: Jackson Mordente: He is a two-year starter and returning junior.

145: Senior Billy Merone: Hot off a successful fall in football, Merone will captain the wrestling team as well. He is a three-time all-league wrestler.

145: Anthony Pistone: Finished fifth in the county last season and was a league runner up.

160: Michael Pistone and Mark Tracy: Tracy was fourth in league last year at 140 and Pistone saw some action as a freshman.

170: Zach Nobre: He took third in the league last season and lost in wrestle backs. He said he’s looking to work on take downs this season and becoming more of a complete grappler.

182: AJ Solomito: A junior, O’Hara said Solomito should have a solid season this year after a strong sophomore campaign.

184: Christian Nunez: He spent some time last year at Pat-Med and transferred back. He’ll be one of the few heavy weights for Sachem at a tough weight class.

195: John Vigh and Tom Williams: Both juniors with strong potential.

285: Josh Edmonson: Transferred in from Smithtown Christian.

Key Loses

• Sean O’Malley: Suffolk County finalist and League champion at 145 pounds, now wrestling at the University of Maryland.
• Frank Merante: Suffolk County finalist and League champion at 171 pounds
• Rob Seder: League champion at 151 pounds
• Tyler Monsees: League champion at 119 poounds

Overall Expectations

“We have our goals set high,” O’Hara said. “That’s the only way to achieve success is to set the bar pretty high in everything we do. You can’t get anywhere without that hard work. We’re pleased with the group and the way they’ve been practicing.”

Key Matches

• Sachem hosting holiday tournament, December 27/28
• Sachem at East Islip tournament, January 7
• Sachem at Connetquot, January 26