Weiner establishes himself as a favorite
Weiner establishes himself as a favorite
By Tony Pinciaro
The Journal News
Based on Sam Weiner's work ethic, athletic ability and intelligence, White Plains coach Dave Bergen felt Weiner was ready for a breakout season.
Bergen was correct as the junior 171-pounder is 18-2 and has established himself as one of the favorites in his weight class for sectionals.
"Based on last year, I knew Sam was moving in a positive direction," Bergen said. "Sam is a natural athlete, real talented, strong and focused. Sam can get himself focused. This enables him to turn it up a notch and get the job done.
"I hold Sam a little similar to John Coretti, who progressively built his way up to a phenomenal senior year."
Coretti was a 189-pound sectional champion and is a junior at West Point.
Weiner has been a Tony Carlucci and Scarsdale champion and recently finished fourth at the Ted Murphy Shoreline Classic.
Weiner prepared for this season by attending wrestling camps and spending more time in the weight room.
"Sam was just begging for camp information and doing this and that for wrestling," Bergen said. "Sam is a lot stronger this year and he has added a few different moves from last year.
"Sam is really critical of himself and picking himself apart. After Shoreline I told him to go home and make a list of things that he wanted to go over. The list was forever, but that's Sam because he wants to know everything right now."
Page jumps out: The first tournament of the season for Mount Vernon told coach Craig Ramsey all he needed to know about Dennis Page.
The junior 160-pounder finished third at the Long Beach (L.I.) tournament, losing to 2006 state champion Eduardo Delgado of Long Beach in the semis. Page would follow that up by winning the Glen Cove title and earning most outstanding honors. He would later add the Scarsdale tournament title.
This is no surprise to Ramsey, who was alerted to Page his freshman year by assistant coach John Woodburry.
"Dennis was a decent talent last year, but he was immature," Ramsey said. "He is focused and on track this year. He also did some work over the summer, going to Long Island and the New York Athletic Club and this has helped him.
"He's learned some different moves and different techniques and wrestling against the caliber of competition on Long Island made him wrestle harder."
Edgemont tournament turns 25: Edgemont will host its 25th annual invitational beginning tomorrow at 10 a.m. The finals are scheduled at 5 p.m.
Edgemont always held its tournament on the first Saturday of the new year, but coach George DiChiara decided to switch it. He did this because of numerous annual tournaments that day.
The 17-team field includes: Hen Hud, Irvington, Mamaroneck, Horace Mann, Westlake, Eastchester, Saunders, Monticello, Collegiate, Liberty, Tuxedo, Salesian, Horace Greeley, Woodlands, New Fairfield (Conn.), Scarsdale and the host.
The vote is in: Here is the latest Section 1 Wrestling Coaches Association poll:
Division I (large school): 1. Carmel; 2. Fox Lane; 3. North Rockland; 4. Suffern; 5. Mahopac.
Division II (small school): 1. Nanuet; 2. Ardsley; 3. Sleepy Hollow; 4. Pearl River; 5. Dobbs Ferry.
Takedowns: In Port Chester's win over Horace Greeley, the Calero brothers -John (189 pounds), Jamie Calero (152) and Alex (140) - all pinned. ... After falling to New Rochelle's Danny Zimon in the Ted Murphy Shoreline Classic quarterfinals, Harrison's Rick Contrata (130) decisioned him to finish third. ... Scarsdale's Nick Civetta (215), George Antonio (125) and Nick Tatti (135) all pinned in less than a minute against Saunders. ... Rye Country Day School is 9-1-1 on the season.
Tony Pinciaro writes a weekly high school wrestling notebook. Reach him at apinciar@lohud.com or 914-696-8234.