The Hurricanes needed everything to go right against undefeated and #1 ranked Rocky Point on Friday (1/4) night if they wanted to come away with a victory. Unfortunately, in the end, it wasn't meant to be. WHB saw 3 matches turn the wrong direction that left them on the short end of a 44-33 score dropping them to 4-1 in League VI. There was no time to dwell on the defeat as the Canes hosted the Cory Hubbard Duals and were in action about 12 hours later. The Canes got a forfeit from East Hampton just couldn't field enough wrestlers. The Canes then handled Holy Trinity 67-18 which brought up a tough match up against 2017 Champion and #13 ranked Newfield. The match was expected to be difficult and was just as advertised. Newfield had 5 Section XI ranked wrestlers, but Sophomore Jackson Hulse was able to defeat the #4 ranked wrestler in the 160 pound match and the Canes limited the damage done by the others. Ultimately, the Hurricanes found themselves down by 11 with 2 matches remaining and just as has been the case so many times this season were able to do what was necessary to win. In this case, pins by Sophomores Grant Skala and Jack Santora delivered the 36-35 victory in front of a very raucous crowd in the gym. Meanwhile, in the Middle School, #10 Patchogue-Medford had taken care of business and dispatched all other Group B members including a tough Bellport team that had beaten Newfield the previous evening. That earned them a spot in the 3pm final. Once again, the Canes knew they would have to wrestle extremely well to win the title and the match did not disappoint. After getting down very early the Canes battled back and things ultimately came down to the final match at 113 pounds with everything knotted 39-39. Sophomore Wil Zafuto in the must win match took the mat and gave it his all but ended up on the wrong end of a 7-4 decision and Patchogue-Medford claimed the Cory Hubbard Duals title for 2019. Inside the match though, 6 weights earlier, there was a genuine show of sportsmanship by the Patchogue-Medford coach that should be noted. WHB Senior Hunter Burling at the start of the 195 pound match picked his opponent up and slammed him to the mat too hard and was called for a penalty. The wrestler, if unable to continue, would have caused WHB to forfeit that match due to the penalty and Hunter Burling would also not be able to wrestle in the next dual meet as punishment. The forfeit would have made it impossible for the Canes to win. The trainer examined and ultimately cleared the wrestler to continue but the Pat-Med coaches felt it best that he not wrestle further. Rather than claim the forfeit, they allowed the match to restart and then forfeited to the Canes giving us 6 points and allowing the close match to continue to its ultimate, very exciting conclusion. While the Hurricanes certainly wanted to keep the Cory Hubbard Duals trophy in Westhampton Beach, the knowledge that it is in the hands of Patchogue-Medford for now, is perhaps fitting, given the way Cory Hubbard competed as a Hurricane. Overall, the tournament was a great success and it was really great to see the Canes in action all day. Go Canes!!
The Hurricanes, Coaches and fans react at the moment Sophomore Jack Santora pins his Newfield opponent, winning the match 36-35 , and earning the Canes a spot in the finals of the 2019 Cory Hubbard Duals Tournament.
Photo courtesy of Haley Burling
Photo courtesy of Haley Burling
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