Wrestling

Mat mastery

Port Jervis wrestlers pin every Monticello opponent in walkover league match up

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY — Port Jervis breezed to a quick OCIAA II win by downing Monticello 60-30 on January 16. All of Monticello’ points came by way of forfeits. The matches they contended in all ended with Port Jervis pins.

For Monticello coach Ed Kaufmann, now in his last year, the problem is not quantity but quality. “The numbers are great,” said the veteran coach after watching the Red Raiders buzz through his team like a hot knife through butter.

“We need to be more aggressive and learn what wrestling is all about,” he said.

Kaufmann has a number of freshmen wrestling who, in former years when the Panthers had its fair share of serious contenders, would be watching and learning at matches such as this. With only two seniors in Jerry Taggart (119) and Rich Graham (189), Monticello lacks the kind of leadership it had as recently as last year with the likes of sectional contenders Vinny Brugaletta, who got his 100th win in his senior year and finished fifth in Section Nine (145). John Bowens (135) took fourth at sectionals last year.

On the other hand, Port Jervis returns three Section Nine champions in C.J. Floor, who won at 215 and is now wrestling at 189; Steven Butler, who is the reigning 189 champion, now wrestling at 215; and J.D. Zitone, who won last year’s 265 title and who has now moved up to 285.

In addition, Matt Parlier, another strong contender at 171, figures to give Port Jervis a chance to sweep the top four weight class titles at this year’s Division I sectionals, slated to be held at Monroe-Woodbury on February 21.

Tuning up for that challenge, Butler won the Eastern States Classic and remains undefeated. Floor and Zitone lost in the semifinals and Parlier exited in the quarterfinals, all against some of the top wrestlers from five states.

No such challenges were on hand in this match, as Monticello failed to record even a single takedown. Port Jervis improved to 4-2 (1-0 OCIAA). It has recorded a pair of wins against Monticello, beaten Red Hook and Washingtonville. It has lost to Newburgh, Middletown and Valley Central.

Monticello fell to 4-3 (0-2 OCIAA). Its wins have come against Eldred, Liberty, New Paltz and Ellenville. It has lost to Port Jervis twice and Wallkill.

Results were as follows: 96 pounds, Victor Vargas (M) won by forfeit; 103, Paul Gomez (M) won by forfeit; 112, Brett Sauschuck (PJ) pinned Luke Evans 5:26; 119, John Moriarty (PJ) pinned Jerry Taggart 1:12; 125, Dylan Muller (PJ) pinned Steve Demestrio 1:44; 130, Travis Edwards (PJ) pinned William Latimer 4:00; 135, Tyler Kowinsky (PJ) pinned Joe DeJesus 2:58; 140, Antwon Vasquez (M) won by forfeit; 145, Kyle Bennett (M) won by forfeit; 152, Zack Fitzpatrick (PJ) pinned Antonio Cruz 3:27; 160, Anthony D’Abbraccio (M) won by forfeit; 171, Matt Parlier (PJ) pinned Mike Snowden 1:14; 189, C.J. Floor (PJ) pinned Rich Graham 2:28; 215, Steven Butler (PJ) pinned Chris Schnabel :36; and 285, J.D. Zitone (PJ) won by forfeit.