Wrestling: Matyka finishes the way he wrestles — on top
NORTH FORK INVITATIONAL
Ed Matyka is at his best wrestling when he is on top. That is his preferred position. That is his strength. And that it where he finished on Saturday in the 113-pound weight class of the 17th annual North Fork Invitational — on top.
The Riverhead junior had a great day in the tournament at Mattituck High School, winning all four of his bouts on pins, including his defeat of Dav Meile-Estrella of North Babylon at 2 minutes 16 seconds of their final. Earlier in the tournament, the fourth-seeded Matyka, Riverhead’s only finalist, had pinned Ithan Udell of Half Hollow Hills East, John Barrios of Connetquot and the top-seeded Alex Hin of Miller Place.
Matyka (17-4) won a title in the same tournament two years ago, but sat out last year’s event because of injury.
Two other Riverheaders, Chris Flood (106 pounds) and Cody Weiss (120), took third place in their weight classes. Flood did so with a 2-0 decision over Justin O’Neill of North Babylon in the wrestlebacks. Weiss pinned Ryan Beninlase of Connetquot at 2:24 in their third-place bout.
Mattituck/Greenport had a good showing itself, finishing second among the 10 teams with 255 1/2 points (Connetquot was first for the fourth straight year with 377 and Riverhead was fifth with 131) and sending six wrestlers into the finals. All six of them — Brian Pelan (132), Bobby Becker (138), Tanner Zagarino (152), Christian Angelson (160), Sal Loverde (182) and Connor Andersen (220) — had to settle for runner-up medals, however.
In those finals: Pelan dropped a 2-0 decision to Ed Hart of Connetquot; James Matias of Rocky Point beat Becker, 13-2; Greg Cherry of Connetquot pinned Zagarino in 47 seconds; Allon Augi of Connetquot pinned Angelson in 46 seconds; Chris Beal of Connetquot defeated Loverde, 6-2; and Brian Henn of Connetquot pinned Anderson at 3:27.
Mattituck/Greenport received a third-place finish from Ryan Bergen at 152 pounds by virtue of his 8-3 win over Justin Ortega of Bay Shore in the consolation match. Four other Tuckers finished fourth: Lucas Webb (126), James Hoeg (145), Joe Peroni (170) and Adam Goode (195).
Tommy Dutton of Rocky Point was selected the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. Dutton dominated the 145-pound final, handing Geno Titone of Connetquot an 11-1 defeat.
The Champion of Champions honor went to Sean Miller of Connetquot. Miller pinned Anthony Cirillo of Rocky Point at 4:18 of the 106-pound final.
