Pearl River Wrestling Beats Shorthanded Clarkstown North

For the second time this week, the Clarkstown North wrestling team won the most individual matches in a duel meet, yet still walked away with a loss.

On Tuesday, the Rams won six of 10 bouts against Tappan Zee and lost, and on Thursday they won six of 11 against Pearl River, but the Pirates won, 34-32, at Clarkstown North.

“We’re wrestling well on the mat,” said North coach Anthony Melliono. “But we’re forfeiting usually three matches every time out, and it’s hard to makeup those 18 points.”

North built up a 29-16 lead Thursday at home against Pearl River, but had to forfeit 170- and 182-pound matches, bringing Pearl River within one. In the 195-pound match, Tim Fjermestad pinned Matthew Moccia to give the Pirates (3-6) a 34-29 lead. North’s Ben Dranow won the 220-pound match to end it, but only by a decision, which couldn’t make up the difference for the Rams (1-2).

“We’re just trying to focus on the matches we actually wrestle in this year,” said North assistant wrestling coach Mike Ondich. “Today we wrestled okay. I thought a few kids could’ve done a little better. I think there were some pins we should’ve had, and right there that could’ve been the difference.”

But the Rams weren’t the only side with injuries. The Pirates had to forfeit the 106-pound match. Neither team had a heavyweight, so the what should’ve been the final match of the day never happened.

“Both sides were missing a couple of guys, but you’ve gotta go with what you’ve got,” said Pearl River coach Grier Yorks. “They’ve got a quality team, though. They’ve got great coaching. This was a big win for us. They’ve kicked out butts the last few times we’ve faced them.”

Pearl River 34, Clarkstown North 32

• 99 – Pearl River’s James Kelly beat. North’s Joey Fields
• 106 – North’s Mike Seligson won via forfeit
• 113 – Pearl River’s John Muldoon beat North’s Lousi DeLucia
• 120 – North’s Andrew Seid beat Pearl River’s Pat Hogan
• 126 – North’s Matt Begley beat Liam O’Hagan
• 132 – North’s Colby Kash beat Nick Simeti
• 138 – Pearl River’s Steve Moreno pinned North’s Joe Alexander
• 145 – North’s Ryan Becker pinned Pearl River’s Joe McDonagh
• 152 – Pearl River’s Rob Gullo beat North’s Jake Salesky
• 160 – North’s David Crispino beat Pearl River’s Brendan Bourke
• 170 – Pearl River’s Shaun Carroll won via forfeit
• 182 – Pearl River’s Brandon Ortega won via forfeit
• 195 – Pearl River’s Tim Fjermestad pinned North’s Matthew Moccia
• 220 – North’s Ben Dranow beat Pearl River’s Bryan Kondracki