DelMonaco Advances to Semifinals of Section 1 Wrestling Tournament

WEST NYACK -- When Sleepy Hollow's Pete DelMonaco walked off the mat at the conclusion of his divisional final last week, he knew immediately what he would focus on in practice in preparation for the Section 1 Large-School Wrestling Championships.

DelMonaco had just been beaten by John Jay-Cross River's Scott Genovesi, but not by a large margin.

"Genovesi had controlled the match from neutral and I felt he took me out of my game," DelMonaco said.

Delmonaco returned to practice last Monday and focused on working on his feet so he would not be dictated to again.

The diligent week of practice resulted in DelMonaco winning his first two matches yesterday at Clarkstown South High School, thus earning a berth in the large-school 160-pound semifinals. DelMonaco, who is seeded sixth, will face second-seeded Greg Wetzel of Arlington in one semifinal. The other semifinal has the top-seeded Genovesi wrestling fourth-seeded Chris Viento of Mahopac.

The Section 1 Wrestling Championships for both large schools and small schools resumes tomorrow, 9 a.m., with the semifinals at Pace University in Pleasantville. The finals for both divisions is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

DelMonaco is the lone Sleepy Hollow wrestler remaining in the championship round. Junior Dondrey Sharrock reached the consolation semifinals where he has a chance to finish third.

DelMonaco did not allow a point in victories over North Rockland's Matt Freeman (11-0) and Jamal Mercer (9-0).

"I worked a lot in practice on neutral as far as shooting and motion," DelMonaco said. "We also worked on hand control and setting up my shots."

The senior had added motivation coming into the tournament, considering he did not place in last year's sectional championships. He assured himself of a place finish with his quarterfinal win over Mercer.

"I am pleased with my work from neutral and I know my coach (Brian Tompkins) is pleased with it also," Delmonaco said. "I wanted to go out today, work my style, wrestle my match and leave it on the mat."

Sharrock opened with a pin, at 2:38, of Yorktown's Tom Falcone before he was beaten by Tappan Zee's Tim Coyne. This sent Sharrock to the consolation bracket where a loss in his next match would have meant elimination.

Sharrock decisioned Clarkstown North's Charlie Regalbuto, 3-1, then beat Hen Hud's David Lee, 5-3, earning a trip to Pace and a top-six sectional finish.

The match with Lee was tied at 1-1 early in the third period. Lee wanted to lock up with Sharrock and attempt to throw him, but Sharrock knew better. He maintained his leverage and executed a takedown for a 3-1 lead.

"My cousins wrestle Greco-Roman and freestyle and they taught me that low hips don't get tossed so I lowered my level," Sharrock said.

Following his quarterfinal loss, Sharrock caught Tompkins' eyes and understood the "look."

"Coach gave me the look that it was all or nothing," Sharrock said. "I could either wrestle back and take third place or be one of those woulda, coulda, shoulda guys who placed in sectionals."