Bulldogs' Bark is Worse Than Cougars' Bite

It was a cold January night when the Long Beach Bulldogs entered the Cougar Den, also known as the school's Bellmore gymnasium. The home team entered the gym with a look of confidence and charisma, bearing their heavy weight contender robes, much like superstars Ken Chertow, Evander Holyfield and my personal favorite, Rocky Balboa.

"They look good, intimidating, and at least their warm," said Jackie Prisco, a crowd member and enthusiastic follower of the team.

The crowd made their presence known early, cheering on their home team from the start. But it was quickly silenced by three straight defeats by pin. It seemed to take a bit of warming up for JFK, but by the fourth match of the night the gears were greased. Lightweight contender Robert Person went the distance for the Cougars with a 6-0 win. The effort he put forth was the giant spark the team needed.

"That's right, Person" yelled a fellow teammate from the bench after the victory.

JFK had life and continued to win three out of the next four matches. What seemed to be the climax of the night for JFK was a relentless showing of will and strength from team member Richie Frank. Battling what appeared to be a minor ankle injury, in a match that teetered back and forth the entire time; he was able to escape and reverse a hold in the final seconds and take home a 6-5 win for the Cougars.

JFK wrestling Coach Brian DeGartano had a lot of time this holiday weekend to address the team's weaknesses and seemed to like the efforts from his team. With cameras rolling from all angles, the coach reviews tapes to help the team improve day by day.

This is a tactic used to study reactions to different circumstances or holds, if the wrong reactions occur they can be easily seen and corrected.  

The matches were back and fourth all night; the Cougars showed their teeth but fell short to the Bulldogs, 36-24.

Kennedy will travel to Calhoun on Jan. 8 and then bout Levittown Division on Jan. 12 at home.