What makes this team special is that there is a core of wrestlers that are willing to make the sacrifices needed to win. In effect everyone is pulling together to make this the best team that it can be. That's how Coach Guastella explained the team's surprising 5 - 1 record. In fact, the Manhasset wrestlers have pushed their team right to the top of the conference and with one match left in the league the mat men are in first place, just a half game ahead of Jericho (4-0-1).

A quick look at Manhasset's varsity line-up and you will realize how special this team is. You might expect a team competing for the conference championship to be loaded with seniors but in fact there are only two, Captains Kevin O'Sullivan and Dan Abatemarco (Dan is undefeated in dual meets). The very special parts of the team are the five freshmen and several sophomores that have kept the team at the top of pile. Freshmen Matt Bitter (112 lbs.), Brian Zaremba (119 lbs.), Pierro Ferrante (125 lbs.), Mark Cornachio (125 lbs.) and Jason Pellegrino (171 lbs.) have played key roles in each of Manhasset's matches. Coach Bennett commented that, "We knew that the freshmen were a special group early this year but they just keep getting better and better." Sophomores John Vlahos, Rich Zaronczyk, John Grbic and Paul O'Leske along with juniors David Cornachio, Chris Hall and Eric Strumza have provided the muscle to push Manhasset past rival North Shore 36 -27. Manhasset also scored impressive wins against Roosevelt 54 -15, Carle Place 54 - 12, Friends Academy 36 - 21 and Cold Spring Harbor 51 - 12. Their only loss came in a non-league match against powerhouse Port Washington.

All that's left now is the all important last match against Jericho on Friday, Jan. 26. "We have been preparing for this match for the past few weeks," said coach Guastella. "Everyone is getting ready for the most important match of the year. We have a few new faces to add to our line-up for Jericho. Freshman Eric Drezner (who scored his first varsity win last week at the Wheatley Tournament) and Nich Vlahos have both shown that they are ready to compete on the Varsity mat."