On Saturday, Feb. 10, the Division wrestlers demonstrated how hard work and dedication pays off by placing 12 of their 18 team members in the top five of their respective weight classes at the qualifying tournament. All 12 "All-League" wrestlers, along with the wrestlers who did not place worked quite hard during the year. Eight of the 12 who placed earned the opportunity to wrestle in the Nassau County Tournament, which will be held at Nassau Community College on Feb. 17 and 18. Fifth place finishers included juniors Dan Lanigan, Sean Fagan, freshman Luis Fernandez (with three wins and two losses) and eighth grader Chris Siraco (who has accumulated 18 varsity wins this season). Fourth place finishers and county qualifiers were juniors Joe Hoose, Bill Nobile and sophomore John DeGrace. Travis Chisholm, a senior, had a tough first match loss against the 189 lb. champion and tournament outstanding wrestler. He was able to recover and wrestled his way back to third place. Tournament finalists were sophomore Chris Hagmaier, juniors Steve Indelicato and senior Mark Russell who earned silver medals. Division's only gold medalist was junior Chris Bennett. Wrestlers Dan Phrsai, Vince Chiarelli, Joe Arcuri, Mike Davis, Jim Kinder and Phil Caccamo wrestled some impressive close matches although they were unable to place in the tournament.

With only three seniors graduating from the team, the future looks promising for the Dragon Wrestling team. The team has improved 100 percent from last year's ranking and earned placement. Coaches Bennett and Eckhardt feel that next year's team will be even stronger with most starters returning, along with a tough, strong Wisdom Lane group of talented eighth graders who seem quite enthusiastic.

Any Division Avenue or Wisdom Lane athlete who would like to be on the 2001-2002 team should contact Mr. Bennett at 735-7184 to get onto a mailing list. They anticipate a successful season and do have slots to be filled.