Blue Devil Sports News
The Huntington High School wrestling team crowned three individual champions on Saturday at the Ted Peterson Memorial Invitational at Island Trees.
The Blue Devils finished third in the team standings behind Massapequa and Plainedge. The tournament included nine Nassau County squads, two from Suffolk and another from Rhode Island.
Huntington’s Kyle Mock, John Arceri and Anthony Puca all captured titles. Corey Jamison, Brandon Mendez and Joe Puca were second in their respective weight class. Ethan Dwyer placed third after winning an exciting 4-2 overtime decision in the consolation bout at 99 lbs.
Mock grabbed the 106 lb. title with a thrilling 10-9 decision. The teenager notched a two-point reversal with 10 seconds remaining in the final period to take the lead.
Arceri followed with a 4-1 decision in the 113 lb. finals to cap a fine day. Anthony Puca nipped his foe from Farmingdale in the finals, 3-2 to win the 220 lb. crown
Jamison fell 3-1 in the finals. Tied 1-1 with five seconds remaining, the Blue Devil star was taken down in a scramble to lose a heartbreaking decision. Mendez fell 14-5 in the championship bout. JP Puca dropped a 4-1 decision in the finals.
The Blue Devils are ranked No. 2 in the Suffolk Division I tournament poll and No. 7 in the dual meet poll as of January 3.
Final team standings: 1. Massapequa 249; 2. Plainedge 221.5; 3. Huntington 211; 4. Island Trees 167; 5. Farmingdale 138; 6. Bethpage 137.5; 7. Freeport 133.5; 8. Uniondale 129; 9. Mepham 93.5; 10. Amityville 71; 11. Lincoln-Rhode Island 27; 12. Hempstead 2.
Cassell & McCartney Win
The Huntington High School boys’ swimming and diving team edged host Lindenhurst, 53-48. New York State champion Gunther Cassell won the 200-yard IM and 100-yard butterfly and Dan McCartney captured the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle races to lead the Blue Devils.
Feltman’s Final Season
Senior Rachel Feltman closed out her six year varsity career with the Huntington High School girls’ swimming and diving team in fine fashion.
Feltman was the Blue Devils’ co-captain this past fall. Head coach Chris Helmke said the teenager displayed “great leadership qualities.” She excelled on the 1-meter diving board, finishing fourth in Suffolk League III, sixth in the Sachem Diving Invitational and 11th in the Section XI championships/state qualifier. Her 11-dive score was 311.70.
Finley Boys’ Soccer Goes 3-7
The J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ soccer team finished its season with a 3-7 under head coach Travis Smith. The Falcons were captained by eighth grade midfielders Mateo Alzate-Rodrigo, Kevin Lynch and Levi Leach.
Finley was led by the three captains and by eighth grader John Healy and seventh grader John Tucker, who both played defense. The roster consisted of 31 players.
Smith called Alzate-Rodrigo a “team leader and playmaker” and said that Lynch is “aggressive and hardworking.” Leach was billed as a “competitive team leader.”
The Falcons lost their first three games to Hauppauge (1-0), Stimson (2-1) and Elwood (5-2) before toppling Oldfield (4-0). The Falcons then dropped their next four contests against Kings Park (6-2), Hauppauge (2-1), Stimson (2-1) and Elwood (2-1). Finley won its final two games against Oldfield (2-1) and Kings Park (2-1).
“It was a hardworking team that showed great improvement and came together toward the end of the season,” Smith said. The coach said the highlight of the season was beating Kings Park at home in the final game.
H-ton Boys’ Volleyball Struggles
The Huntington High School boys’ volleyball team finished the season with a record of 0-14 under head coach Chris Mooney. The Blue Devils’ 18-player squad was captained by seniors Ryan Casale and Drew Tenbus.
Casale received All-Conference recognition while Tenbus and sophomores Daniel Mollitor and Justin Martinolich were named All-League honorable mention.
Despite the losing record, Huntington was competitive in many meets. The Blue Devils lost 3-2 contests to Westhampton Beach, Shoreham-Wading River and Center Moriches. The team won a game in meets against Smithtown East, Smithtown West, East Hampton and Bay Shore.
Cartwright a Reliable Addition
Sophomore Nina Cartwright turned in a great season for the Huntington girls’ swimming and diving team. “She has become a strong and reliable addition to the squad, helping to add points in butterfly and freestyle events,” head coach Chris Helmke said.
Cartwright qualified for the county championships in the 200 freestyle relay. Helmke called her a freestyle and butterfly “specialist.”
Girls’ BB Honors
Heather Forster culminated a string of three exceptional games by being named most valuable player of the Lady Devils’ Basketball Invitational. A Huntington junior, Forster led her team to the championship of the tournament, which was held at Freeport High School.
Blue Devil juniors Samantha Lynch and Katie Nugent were also named to the All-Tournament team. Both players turned in outstanding performances over three consecutive days.
Huntington topped Sacred Heart Academy and St. Joseph Hill Academy in preliminary games before swamping undefeated Levittown Division in the finals, 54-27. Calhoun, Freeport, Our Lady of Mercy Academy and Valley Stream Central also participated in the tournament.