Hurricanes Wrestling Focused On Reloading After Losing 10 Seniors To Graduation

It’s never easy to replace 10 talented seniors, especially when they are a group that will go down in history as one of the best classes to ever come through a program. But the Westhampton Beach wrestling team has built up a reputation as a squad that reloads instead of rebuilds, and that’s what head coach Pete DeTore, along with assistant coach Andrew Petroulias and strength and conditioning coach Connor Miller, hope to see from the Hurricanes this season.

Another group of seniors who are hungry to prove themselves in their final year on the mats will need to step up and lead Westhampton Beach as it takes on tough competition in League V this year. Seniors Luke Citarelli (126 pounds) and Randy Cabrera (138), are poised to make some noise in their respective weight classes this year — Citarelli was ranked third in the 132-pound weight class by LongIslandWrestling.com to start the season — and fellow seniors Connor Gormley (145) and Aidan McKeon (162) will also be expected to lead the way for the Hurricanes. DeTore said he’s also been impressed so far with senior 215-pounder Mike Hempfling, who he said has shown “tremendous improvement.” Junior Sal Francapane (160) is a wrestler who DeTore said has shown increased maturity and has great energy in the wrestling room, and sophomore Bobby Stabile (132) should also be a strong wrestler for Westhampton Beach.

DeTore is also excited about four freshmen all hovering around the 118-pound weight class, who he said are showing great promise and a great attitude in practice.

Westhampton Beach finished second at its first action of the season on Saturday at the Sprig Gardner Tournament in East Hampton, run by Hurricane alumnus and current East Hampton varsity wrestling coach Ethan Mitchell. Cabrera (138), Francapane (160) and Jack McKeon (118) were champions in their weight classes, while Finn McInytre was second at 118. Hempfling (215), Gormley (145), Stabile (132), Ryan Baynon (118) and Ryan Fives (172) all finished third. Hempfling was chosen as the Most Outstanding Wrestler for Westhampton Beach, and Francapane had five pins in less than five minutes on his way to taking second.

Westhampton Beach is scheduled to visit East Hampton on December 10 for a 6:15 p.m. match to open the League V season and will visit East Islip — ranked sixth in the county among Division I teams to start the season — on December 15 at 5:45 for another League V match before hosting their home opener on December 17 against Kings Park at 4:30 p.m.