Hewlett Bulldog Wrestlers Finish Up Regular Season

This past Wednesday, Jan. 16, saw the Hewlett Bulldogs celebrate Senior Night with a convincing win over conference rival, South Side High School, 64-15.

Senior Captains Simon Greebel, Aaron Weinberg, Robert Rosenberg and Lester Enriquez together with seniors Justin Ciraolo, Samer Baig and Matthew Kevelson were wholeheartedly thanked by Coach Stephen Jones for their contributions to the program. Joined by their respective mothers on the mat, Coach Jones spoke from his heart while bidding the young men a respectful and humorous sendoff.

The team as a whole responded right from the start, winning 12 of the 15 matches in dominating fashion. Rosenberg (145) started the night with a pin of his opponent, earning his 100 career win, becoming only the second Bulldog to reach this significant milestone. Following this momentous victory was Tredd Smith (160), Jason Lee (170), Saverio Bosco (195), Matthew Kaminer (220), Enriquez (285), Andrew Spedowich (99), Lucus Pincus (106) (who defeated the #4 ranked wrestler at 106), Greebel (120), Weinberg (126), junior Captain Oran Revivo (132) and Owen Bachelder (138), all of whom won their matches.

When asked about how the evening played out, Coach Jones stated, “We did everything right tonight. You cannot allow teams like this to hang around and be in a match. We didn't let them hang around. The boys put on a nice show for the home crowd.”

This victory leaves the Bulldogs at 7-2 in dual matches and one victory away from securing second place in the conference, which would be the highest finish for the program. 

Hewlett Bulldogs Challenge for a Second Place Conference Finish
 
On Friday, Jan. 18, the Bulldogs traveled to Levittown Division for its last conference match of the season. Both teams entered the evening at 4-1 in conference with the winner being able to claim second place.
 
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs were unable to secure second place as they fell to Division, 39-28, in a highly contested match. Although the Bulldogs finished third for the first time in their short history, the hopes of finishing second were dashed by their hosts. After dropping the first three matches of the evening, Greebel got the Bulldogs on the board while also earning his 100th career win, joining his long time teammate Rosenberg, who had reached his 100th victory on Wednesday. 

Other Bulldogs who won their respective matches were Revivo (138), Andrew Kevelson (145), Rosenberg (152), Kaminer and Lester Enriquez (285). After the match Coach Jones reflected on how his team performed and shared the following thoughts, “Maybe in my eyes the most disappointing loss of the season. I really believe we are a much better team than we showed tonight. The boys were flat and not ready for the match. A lot of that falls on the coaching staff. We need to do a better job of having the boys prepare."

Hewlett Bulldogs Travel To MacArthur for a Tri-Meet 

On Saturday, Jan. 19, the Bulldogs traveled to MacArthur to participate in a Tri-Meet against both the MacArthur Generals and the East Meadow Jets.

The morning started with the Bulldogs wrestling East Meadow. After forfeiting the 99 lb. class, the Bulldogs proceeded to win 10 of the next 14 matches, coming away with a 52-28 victory.

The Bulldogs were lead by Lucus Pincus (106), Greebel (120), Weinberg (126), Bachelder (132), Revivo (145), Rosenberg, Tsakh (160), Baig (170), Kaminer (220) and Enriquez (285).

In their second match of the day, the Bulldogs valiantly challenged the Generals of MacArthur, generally thought to be the #2 dual team in Nassau County. While the Bulldogs forfeited 2 weight classes and spotted the General a 12-0 lead, they team thereafter wrestled to a 38-23 loss.

Leading the way for the Bulldogs were Greebel (120), Rosenberg (145), Kaminer (220), Enriquez (285) and Pincus (106).  

Coach Jones shared his thoughts about how the matches went and said, “The boys opened up with a nice win over East Meadow. Although we were missing several starters, I expect better individual efforts out of the boys. It is the time of year where everyone is suffering from bumps and bruises. It is a long, gritty stretch and we do not have time for excuses. The boys will get a few days off and get right back into action. The next three weeks will be the most exciting stretch of the season for us.”

The Bulldogs will be competing in the Nassau County Dual Tournament beginning Friday, Jan. 25, as a prelude to the Nassau County Qualifiers the following weekend.