South Side Wrestling Takes Two Matches in Loss to Plainedge

The South Side High School wrestling team lost to Plainedge on Wednesday night, 71-13, during a meet at the high school, but two wrestlers did take home victories in the loss.

South Side Head Coach Jason Washington said Plainedge is one of the top two teams in Conference III-A, and hopes losses to better competition can prepare his team for the county tournament at the end of the season.

“Our guys have to learn from losses like this,” Washington said. “The only way to get a better program is to face the best competition in Nassau County and that's what we're doing. The team has to watch tapes of the matches to see their mistakes and use this as a building block.”

Washington said he was impressed with his lightweight-class wrestlers including freshman Ryan Holzgruber (103-pound weight class) who won his match 13-0, and sophomore Paul Wolfrom (119-pound weight class), even though he lost, 4-3.

“The younger guys are improving with every match,” Washington said. “Paul was in his match until the last minute against a top wrestler. He wasn't getting the looks he wanted and had his opponent in different head positions, but the kid was tough. When the opponent is tall and lanky, it stretches you out. Taking certain shots that you think might be there really are not available.”

Besides Holzgruber, the only other Cyclone to win his match was senior James Rodriguez in the 140-pound weight class. Rodriguez defeated his opponent, 2-0.

Plainedge ended the match with four consecutive pins in the heavyweight classes. Washington said he was encouraged by the performance of freshman Kevin Rafferty in the 152-pound weight class, even in the loss.

“It is tough to put a freshman against such a great opponent,” Washington said. “Kevin didn't seem fazed by the loss and didn't put his head down after the match. Instead, he came up to me and said he has to get stronger to be able to compete better.”

The Cyclones will compete in the Syosset tournament on Saturday before hosting conference opponent Hewlett next Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.