PV grapplers off to hot start
Indians unbeaten in dual matches thus far
PV wrestler Mike Martino, left, takes his stance during a wrestling practice. Martino and the Indians are off to a strong start.
The Pascack Valley wrestling team has started off hot, even in our recently cold weather (although the matches do take place inside). The team has competed in two dual meets and two tournaments so far.
Indian Hills and Tenafly were the first two teams to wrestle dual matches against PV, and they were certainly no match. Indian Hills went down 50-21, while Tenafly was manhandled 69-12.
Coach Tom Gallione said of the dual meets, “We look to succeed and our goal is to win our division.”
The team is well balanced. Older wrestlers provide leadership, while their younger counterparts are talented and still developing. Nick Timpanaro (junior), Chris Carcich (senior), Paul Giovanni (senior), and Evan Pleasic (senior) are certainly the teams core of leadership, while Casey Lewis (freshman) will be a wrestler to watch for years to come.
“We need to continue to develop, which may contain some growing pains,” Gallione said. “We are young, with four to five freshman wrestlers in the lineup sometimes.”
In the two tournaments that the team participated in over the holiday break, the competition was much tougher. Teams from different leagues participate in these tournaments, including the parochial powerhouses in the sport’s fancily named county tournament, the BCCA George Jockish Holiday Tournament.
“The non-league matches are difficult,” Gallione said.
Although the competition was tougher, the PV squad was still able to find success. At the Lakeland Tournament, the teams’ first tournament, Timpanaro finished third at 160 pounds. Lewis (170), Mike Martino (106), and Giovanni (195) all finished finished fourth in their respective weight classes.
The team faced their stiffest competition in the BCCA George Jockish Tournament. No Indians were able to place in the tournament, but Carcich, Timpanaro, Casey, and Giovanna were the closest. The massive two-day event included 41 teams.
The team’s next dual meet is tonight at River Dell, and it hosts Butler and Hawthorne in a tri-match Saturday at 10 a.m. The team looks to win its third consecutive match since opening the season. This meet should give an insight to the team now, and a peek into the future that certainly looks bright.
