Lightweights Impress As West Islip Falls to Islip 47-24

The West Islip varsity wrestling team opened its season in front of a big crowd at home Wednesday night, and while a few Lions stood out with some nice wins, the team lost to Islip 47-24.

The match began with a back-and-forth battle between West Islip's Paul Schumann and Islip's Vin Provenzano at 160 pounds. After the full time expired, Provenzano had his hand raised with a 6-3 win to put Islip up 3-0. One of West Islip's team leaders, , was up next with an unfortunate draw against one of the best wrestlers on Long Island, Kyle Wade. Wade had his way with Ryan in a 15-0 major decision to increase Islip's lead to 8-0.

"Anytime you go up against Wade it's tough…he's a beast," head coach Nick LaGiglia said. "They're a real good team and we're starting off trying to raise our level up to theirs."

At 189, Islip's Xavier Craig had the first pin of the match in quick fashion over Dylan Colquhoun.  Zach Connor defeated Brendan Smith on points at 215 and Ryan Hughes quickly pinned Justin Escalara at 36 seconds and after five matchups the Lions found themselves in a big hole down 23-0.

"It's our starting point for the season," LaGiglia said. "We knew going in a couple of guys couldn't get pinned and they wind up getting pinned and that's the difference in the match right there. Our guys that we needed to go out and get pins didn't and that adds up."

The Lions finally got their first win in the first lightweight match at 96 pounds when Travis Isgro pinned Joe Demasi 1:12 into the matchup to put the Lions on the board down 23-6. After Islip's Brad Wade pinned Drew Forcino at 103, the Lions choice at 112, Tyler Walsh, pinned Tim Going to bring the score to 29-12.

In what was one of the more exciting matchups on the night at 119 pounds, West Islip's Nick Gennaro fought tough with Matt Hagg and almost had him pinned, but Hagg fought out and it went the distance with Hagg winning on points, 9-5.

At 125 pounds, West Islip's Will Graham impressed, beating John Theo 7-1 and Matt Donovan pinned Eric Purchach at 130 for back to back Lion wins. Islip's James Ianconni and Andrew Gray battled for six minutes in an action packed match before Ianconni won an 18-14 decision. Joe Burne got the Lions their last win of the match at 140 when he pinned Chris Whalen before the last two Lions were pinned to end the match, 47-24.

"Isgro got us a huge pin at 96," LaGiglia said. "Our lightweights [impressed]. Walsh with a pin and Gennaro had a real tough match with Hagg, I thought he could've pulled that one out. Graham wrestled real well and Donovan is always an anchor for us and got a nice pin. We have some young guys here and we'll see them again at the Islip Cup."

The Lions now turn their attention to Connetquot in another home match on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 3:30p.m.

"Next time out we've got to get in better shape," LaGiglia said. "We were kind of gassed in the third period and that can't happen. We have to have a plan and execute it better."