HAUPPAUGE'S COACH MESSINA MAKES HISTORY

Hauppauge Head Coach Chris Messina has moved into the record books as the winningest wrestling coach in Suffolk County history. Messina notched his 437th career victory with Hauppauge’s 49-23 win over Deer Park on Wednesday, January, 21, 2015 – surpassing legendary Huntington Coach and Messina’s self-described “idol” Lou Giani.

Coach Messina has been at the helm of the Hauppauge Wrestling Program since 1981, capturing 25 league titles as well as a County Title in 1999. “He has coached numerous League, County and State Champions, while serving not only as a coach, but as a mentor and friend to all of the wrestlers who have had to privilege of calling him coach,” stated Dan Butler, Hauppauge’s director of Physical Education, Health, Family and Consumer Science, Recreation and Athletics. “The impact that Chris has had on his wrestlers – on and off the mat – is immeasurable.”

When asked how he felt about making the record books, Messina stated he believes: “this is not really an individual award, but rather the culmination of many years of teams coming together, striving for a common goal. Even though my name is on the record, it is really the Hauppauge schools and the community that made it possible to develop the program and to create a culture of winning.”