Blue Devil Matmen Hunt for
State Titles
John Arceri, Nick Lupi and Anthony Puca will look to join the elite circle of Blue Devil wrestlers when the Huntington High School mat stars compete in this weekend's New York State tournament at the Times Union Center in Albany.
The greatest Blue Devil wrestlers have been state champions. Every Huntington grappler learns this on the first day they step into the practice room. "It's the goal of everyone on the team to be the best in the state," assistant coach Travis Smith said. "Huntington always sets its sights high."
Huntington's most recent state wrestling champions have been Damon McQueen (2010) and Nigel McNeil (2010 and 2011). Since Lou Giani, Jr. won the program's first state title in 1973, no team has been more successful at the state tournament than the Blue Devils who have captured 26 New York crowns in all.
Arceri (36-2) and Lupi (31-1) are both seeded No. 1 in their respective weight classes at this weekend's tournament. Arceri, a freshman, won the Section XI championship at 99 lbs. while Lupi won the county crown at 220 lbs. Puca (31-3), who finished second in Suffolk at 285 lbs. earned a wild card berth into the state finals.
"We expect all three of our wrestlers to be competitive against anyone in the state tournament," Smith said. "There is going to be very tough competition, but our kids can go with anyone."
Arceri's father, John Arceri, won the 1981 state title at 138 lbs. while wrestling for Ward Melville. Lupi, who is a senior this season, is returning to the state tournament for the second time after finishing fifth in last year's competition at the Times Union Center. Puca, a junior, is making his first trip to the state finals. His father, Lou Puca, was third in Suffolk for Huntington in 1976.
The Huntington wrestlers will weigh in on Friday at 7:30 a.m. and participate in the state tournament's Parade of Champions at 9:30 a.m. Preliminary round action starts at 10 a.m. sharp and continues throughout the day. The semi-finals are slated for 10 a.m. on Saturday, followed by wrestle-back and consolation rounds. The finals are scheduled for 6 p.m.
"All we ever ask our wrestlers to do is to give their best effort," Smith said. "That's always been enough."