Massapequa Sports Update: Wrestlers Go to the Mats For Each Other

It’s been a solid season for the Massapequa Wrestling team, and for Coach Ron Serrano, teamwork has been the key to success.

Serrano said his team understands that the essence of a good team is all about hard work, dedication, a strong support system and the determination to succeed against the odds. 

 “It’s all about the program,” Serrano said. “The kids have to do their job, the parents have to do their job, the coaches, the alumni—everybody plays a part in this and that’s the key to our success. But so far, it’s been nothing but outstanding.”

 This season Massapequa (3-0) had a perfect regular season record in Conference I-A and lost to only East Meadow.  

The Chiefs are led by senior Justin Paradiso (132), who is currently ranked number one in Nassau County, with a 28-3 record, followed by seniors Jake Spero (138) and Andrew Hoffman (152), who have 25-7 and 28-4 records respectively.

Despite having three of the top wrestlers in Nassau County on his squad, Serrano is quick to mention the lack of a superstar on the team. In fact he doesn’t have assigned captains on the team, rather he refers to the more successful wrestlers as his team leaders.

 “We have a team with strong leaders,” Serrano explained. “We don’t really have anyone who is a captain because we know [the success of the team] is a group effort.” 

Massapequa hosted the Nassau conference qualifier meet last Saturday and featured eight wrestlers with 20 or more wins on the season.  Andrew Chicoine (24), Tom Donohue (20), Joe Doria (23), James Girsdansky (22), Andrew Hoffman (25), Paradiso (27), TJ Ragusa (25) and Spero (25) each entered the meet on a high note.

But Paradiso was the only wrestler to each a spot in the next round. He will be joined by teammate Neal Vespe (145), Chris Broccoli (138) and Tim Gungor (285) in the Nassau County semi-finals that will be held Feb. 11 and 12 at Hofstra University.  

 Girls Basketball

 The Massapequa Girls Basketball team maintains the top spot in Conference AA-I after defeating arch-rival Farmingdale, 48-18. Massapequa (10-1; 14-2 overall) recently lost to Freeport (7-3; 9-5 overall), 53-46 on January 31 for its first conference loss, but beat Hempstead on Tuesday.