On January 2nd, 13 ambitious teams from around New York State will make the trip to Union-Endicott to compete in New York’s most competitive dual meet tournament. Often the tournament champion is selected by the New York State Sports Writers Association (NYSSWA) as the number one team in the state. Though they use many events in their final selection, it is the keystone event in their analysis.

Who will be the contenders at each weight? Which wrestler will win each weight class? With weight certifications and strategic weight class placement those are questions we may not be able to answer just yet. Another question being asked as we approach the beginning of the 2009-2010 Suffolk County wrestling season is the location of the county tournament. Will the tournament be held at the familiar SUNY Stony Brook facility this year instead of deep into section 8?

It’s that time of the year again. No it’s not Thanksgiving or Christmas. Good guess. It’s Wrestling Season. Let’s get the dust off the headgear and put the singlet on. Section 8 has had some dramatic changes, and we will address them. The Pre-season rankings appear way off with wrestlers in the wrong weights, but that’s a story for another day.

Hi Everyone.
I am back after taking a few weeks off to get some personal ducks in a row (mostly graduate school and family obligations). Anyhow, with the start of the 2009 NCAA DI National Wrestling tournament less than four hours away, I thought that now was as good a time as any to sit down [...]

This weekend, Hofstra University will be looking to add their ninth consecutive conference tournament championship to the trophy case.  However, unlike the previous eight seasons where the Pride entered the tournament as the favorites, 2009 marks a new role for Coach Tom Shifflet’s team, that of underdog.
Much of this shakeup at the top can be attributed [...]

Based upon the section winners and alternate qualifier lists by weight released today, here is a weight-by-weight preview of the NYPHSAA wrestling championships this weekend. Once the final seeds are determined and tournament charts by weight are released we will release our state finalist picks for each weight. Our sectional champion pick is already determined as section 11 – Suffolk County. The depth within this section this year seems to be insurmountable. Sections 2 and 9 should be competitive in Albany this year followed by sections 8, 1, 4 and 6.

What: #22 Hofstra University vs. Harvard University
When: Friday February 20th, 2009
Time: 7pm EST
Where: Malkin Athletic Center (Buffalo, NY)
Coverage: None

What: #23 Hofstra University vs. Buffalo
When: Sunday February 15th, 2009
Time: 1pm EST
Where: Alumni Arena (Buffalo, NY)
Coverage: None

What: #23 Hofstra University vs. #13 Edinboro University
When: Saturday February 14th, 2009
Time: 7pm EST
Where: McComb Fieldhouse (Edinboro, PA)
Coverage: None

What: #23 Hofstra University vs. #3 Cornell University
When: Sunday February 8th, 2009
Time: 5pm EST
Where: David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex
Coverage: Live Text (Courtesy of Light House Wrestling)

The Suffolk County League III wrestling championship is scheduled to be held at Smithtown East High School on February 7, 2009. The Redmen from East Islip won each of their league dual meets during the season and its coaches as well as the coaches from the other teams in league III, Smithtown East (6-1), Newfield (5-2), Centereach (4-3), West Islip (3-4), Half Hollow Hills East (2-5), Copiague (1-6) and North Babylon (0-7) look to send a number of their wrestlers to the Suffolk County Championships scheduled to be held at Hofstra University on February 13 and 14, 2009. There is sure to be tough competition in each weight class and the following wrestlers (listed in no particular order) will most likely be in the mix (weight classes are subject to change):

What: #21 Hofstra University vs. Drexel
When: Saturday January 31st, 2009
Time: 4pm EST
Where: Daskalaskis Athletic Center (Philadelphia, PA)
Coverage: None

What: #21 Hofstra University vs.  The University of Pennsylvania
When: Saturday January 31st, 2009
Time: 1pm EST
Where: The Palestra (Philadelphia, PA)
Coverage: Live Video (Courtesy of the UPenn Network)

On Friday, January 30, 2009, the Huntington Blue Devils ranked number eleven ( 11 ) by Matslap visit the Hauppauge Eagles ranked number two ( 2 ) for a 6:00 P.M. showdown.

What: #20 Hofstra University vs. #5 Ohio State
When: Sunday January 25th, 2009
Time: 1pm EST
Where: David S. Mack Sports And Exhibition Complex
Coverage: Live Text Coverage (Courtesy of LighthouseWrestling)

What: #19 Hofstra University vs. North Carolina State
When: Sunday January 11th, 2009
Time: 1pm EST 
Where: David S. Mack Sports And Exhibition Complex
Coverage: HAWC (Hofstra Online Radio)

Top 8 seeded wrestlers in each weight class at eastern states classic.

February 18th, 2002—This was the date the last time a team other than Chaminade High School could lay claim to the New York State Catholic High School Wrestling title. For the past seven years, the Flyers, under the of guidance of Head Coach, George Dlugolonski, have dominated this tournament, held annually during Presidents’ day weekend. However, as the six-time champions embark upon the start of the 2008/2009 season, they find themselves in a role that they are not accustomed to, that of underdog…

Just west of Wantagh Avenue and about a mile north of Wantagh High School, MacArthur plays host to the most anticipated dual meet of the Nassau County season as Wantagh and MacArthur face off in this recently intensified rivalry.

The 2008-2009 Suffolk high school wrestling season should be one of the most fiercely competitively balanced in years with Hauppauge, John Glenn, Longwood and Rocky Point all realistically in the hunt for the county title. Don’t completely count out a few other teams though, since Huntington, Brentwood, Connetquot and Islip all have wrestlers who should factor into county tournament team points come tournament time. As usual many outstanding individuals return for Suffolk including many from the top teams mentioned above.

Are we ready to rumble ? There are many questions leading into the season concerning weight certifications. Wrestlers who thought they were going one weight were shocked to find out they were competing at a higher weight class. Now that the shock has worn off and the results are in, we can start the season. Can section 8 duplicate their second place finish in New York State ?