After a great performance at the Southside Tournament in December the Manhasset Wrestlers were eager for a chance to excel at the Wheatley Tournament. Last year, the team had placed ninth out of 18 teams, this year coach Guastella set a goal of placing in the top five. "We are a much more experienced team this year and its time for our top wrestlers to show the rest of the county just how good they are," Coach Guastella commented. Each team is allowed to enter one wrestler per weight class (there are 14 possible weight classes). Manhasset entered 10 wrestlers.

As the day progressed Manhasset Wrestlers continued to shine. Three of the wrestlers were headed to the finals and Manhasset took second place only three points ahead of third place Sewanhaka. It was the highest finish for a Manhasset wrestling team in 17 years.

Coach Guastella spoke to the team on the bus ride home. "What is amazing is that every member of the team played a key role in our success. It was a team effort, if even one wrestler had lost one match we would not have placed second."

By the end of the day nine Manhasset wrestlers had placed in the 17 team tournament. Champions were Captain Jatin Thakker (135 lbs.) and June Emerson Chin (140 lbs.) Third place finishers included: junior Vincent Dee (125 lbs.), freshman Adam Hess (130 lbs.), junior Greg Hess (145 lbs.), and junior Jeremy Duksin (160 lbs.). Fifth place finishers were sophomore Andrew Pelzer (171 lbs.) and senior heavyweight Mark Poveda.

It was better than any movie script, better because it was real. It had been a special night, the last home match for Senior Captain Jatin Thakker. The stands were filled with friends who had come to see Jatin wrestle at home for the last time. They had seen the special ceremony thanking Jatin and his family for their commitment and dedication to Manhasset Wrestling and now the fans were being treated to something special, a match to remember.

It had been a see-saw battle. North Shore took a commanding early lead up (18-0 after the first three bouts). After four straight wins, Manhasset fought back to take the lead (27-18) with an incredible upset pin by junior Emerson Chin over returning county qualifier Jerry Marvullo at 152 lbs. But after three tough matches at 160, 171, and 189 North Shore moved back into the lead (32-27).

The state was set North Shore had a 5-point lead with only the heavyweight bout left. At stake No. 10 ranked Manhasset's chance to upset the No. 5 ranked Vikings and an opportunity for Manhasset to keep their undefeated league championship hopes alive. Coach Guastella had been telling his team all week that it would come down to one match and he was right. It all came down to senior Mark Poveda. The crowd had been quieted by the earlier losses but as Mark walked out onto the mat the fans came alive. Sparked by cries of "go sweetness" the fans were on their feet as the referee blew his whistle to start the match. Mark shot first, but his opponent was quick to counter as both wrestlers poised to find an opening. The North Shore wrestler shot and it looked as though Mark was about to be taken down but he was too quick. In the blink of an eye, Mark counter-attacked and took the North Shore wrestler straight to his back. Suddenly, the official's hand slapped the mat (signaling a pin) and the crowd went wild. Manhasset had won 33-32.

Everyone was great, everybody did their job, even the wrestlers who lost fought to stay off their backs and not give pin points. It was another great team win. Mark's outstanding finish was set up by victories from sophomore Arthur Rudolph (130), freshman Scott Zaremba (135), sophomore Steven Lesko (140), and junior Emerson Chin.