Southern/Central Westchester notebook: Another highlight at Ardsley

Southern/Central Westchester notebook: Another highlight at Ardsley
By Tony Pinciaro
The Journal News

Ardsley coach Pete Vulpone did it again.

Each season, Ardsley hosts its tournament the week prior to divisionals. And each year, Vulpone assembles a high-caliber field and adds a new team that results in excellent wrestling.

Ardsley tournament fans will be treated to another outstanding day beginning tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. The 15-team field is highlighted by Section 11's Shoreham Wading-River and Corey Jantzen. The Harvard-bound senior is the nation's top-ranked 135-pounder.

Along with Shoreham-Wading River are Beacon, Dobbs Ferry, Harrison, Horace Greeley, John Glenn (Section 11), Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, North Rockland, Pleasantville, Scarsdale, Walkill (Section 9), Washingtonville (Section 9) and Ardsley. The finals are slated at 6 p.m.

"Coach is always trying to get us the best competition to prepare us for sectionals," Super 16 119-pound champion Danny Manley said. "The more competition we get, the better we perform in sectionals."

Not only will all eyes be on Jantzen each time he wrestles, North Rockland and Pleasantville fans will focus on the 125-pound weight class.

North Rockland's Marc Zurla and Pleasantville's Michael Esteves are on schedule to meet in the final. Zurla decisioned Esteves in the Ted Murphy Shoreline Classic title bout.

Count on Contrata: There is always one thing Harrison coach Vin Nicita can rely on each time senior Rick Contrata wrestles -a strong showing resulting in a win.

"Ricky has always been a solid wrestler every year," said Nicita, who wrestled for Harrison with Ricky's father, Rick, and his uncle, Steve Contrata. "Every year Ricky has gotten better and better, and he really came into his own his junior year."

Last season Contrata finished fourth in the section at 130 pounds and went 30-9.

Contrata's consistency is one of his many strengths, especially in tournaments. Contrata averages a finalist or top-four finish. Contrata, who has 23 wins this season and 99 in his career, won his first tournament title, at Scarsdale, last month.

"Ricky has always had good technique since he came up as a freshman," Nicita said. "He's gotten physically stronger and is finishing his shots."

Takedowns: New Rochelle's Tom Antonioli (135 pounds) recorded his 100th career win and finished fifth at the Big 10 tournament in Albany. Teammate Danny Zimon (130) was a finalist and Zach Yankiver (140), Egypt Burrows (145) and Mike DeSantis (171) each finished fifth. The Huguenots were eighth in the 18-team field. ... Mount Vernon won six of the eight matches wrestled, but lost to Mamaroneck 42-39 because of five forfeits. ... Irvington's Ryan Pastore posted a 13-2 major decision over Rockland County 152-pound champion Anthony Raimone of Pearl River. In the same match, teammate Sal Mastropolo (189) had a 29-second fall. ... Pins by Alex DeMasi and Nick Tatti, and a decision by Zach Tatti in the final three bouts rallied Scarsdale to a 38-34 win over White Plains. ... Pleasantville's Raf Tigre had a nine-second pin against Hastings. ... Nanuet will host the inaugural Golden Knights Classic tomorrow starting at 9 a.m. and Somers will have the spotlight on for the finals of its tournament, also beginning at 10 a.m.

The vote is in: Here is the latest Section 1 Wrestling Coaches Association poll:

Division 1 (large school): 1. Carmel; 2. Fox Lane; 3. North Rockland; 4. John Jay; 5. Suffern.

Division II (small school): 1. Nanuet; 2. Ardsley; 3. Sleepy Hollow; 4. Pearl River; 5. Dobbs Ferry.

Tony Pinciaro writes a weekly wrestling notebook.