Lupi wins National Mat Crown
Nick Lupi captured the National High School Coaches Assn. sophomore national wrestling championship last weekend by doing what he does best: win close matches.
The Huntington High School sophomore pinned North Carolina's Darren Marcin in the opening round before winning four close decisions to claim the 215 lb. national title at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
"Nick wrestled really well," Huntington head coach Kieran Mock said. "He kept every match close and did enough to win. He was really happy. We're all really happy." Mock said that Lupi did not surrender any offensive points.
After recording the first round victory, Lupi won a series of tight decisions. He topped North Dakota's Andrew Beine, 3-2, outlasted Pennsylvania's John Fagan, 3-2, bested Georgia's Trevor Stevens, 3-1 and nipped Nevada's Spencer Empey for the national crown 9-7.
"We were all excited," Mock said. "It was a great effort by Nick. He made all the right moves. It caps off a great year for him."
Lupi's weight class drew 25 entries, including many of the top sophomore class wrestlers in the country. The sophomore tournament featured wrestlers from 42 states. Pennsylvania led in team scoring. New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Colorado rounded out the top five.
Lupi compiled a 30-7 record for Huntington High School this past winter. The Blue Devil star finished second in Suffolk.