HAMPTON BAYS WRESTLING ALUMNI

SEASON SUMMARY
The 1979-80 Baymen, led by seniors Paul Candela, George Hastings, captain Dom Pensa and Steve Valyo, were vying for their 3rd straight League 8 Championship. The team had a mix of veteran leadership and young depth. Coach Fitzgerald planned a tough non-league schedule which included matches against some of the toughest western Suffolk County schools. Unfortunately for the Baymen, Paul Candela suffered a knee injury during the summer that worsened in December and he missed the front half of the season.

The Baymen started the season with close non-league losses to Smithtown East and Smithtown West.  The following week the Baymen suffered two more non-league losses against Deer Park and North Babylon. In the Deer Park match the Baymen won six matches to Deer Park's three, but the Baymen had to forfeit three matches due to wrestlers being sick or injured. The Baymen completed well, with five place-winners, in the tough Hampton Bays Invitational Tournament on December 21st & 22nd.  Sophomore Charlie Nicholson (112 lbs), George Hastings (138 lbs) and Dom Pensa (215 lbs) all placed 2nd.  Junior John Tobin (145 lbs) and Steve Valyo (155 lbs) placed 3rd. After Christmas the Baymen competed in the Sayville Holiday Tournament and again had five place-winners. Freshman Tom McSherry was runner-up at 119 lbs.  John Tobin (145 lbs), Steve Valyo (155 lbs) and Dom Pensa (215 lbs) each placed 3rd. George Hastings (132 lbs) placed 4th. After the holidays the Baymen traveled upstate New York to compete in the Saquoit Valley Wrestling Tournament. The Baymen came home with one champion and multiple place-winners. George Hastings won the championship at 132 lbs. Paul Candela (145 lbs) returned from the injury list and placed 2nd. Candela lost a controversial match in the finals to Jon Cardi (Burnt Hills). The match ended in a double-overtime draw. The official raised Candela's hand in victory by criteria. Midway through, the officials stopped the following championship match at 155 lbs, and awarded Cardi the victory. Supposedly, the officials incorrectly interpreted the criteria rules when they awarded Candela the match. Jon Cardi was one of NY States most dominant wrestlers compiling a 144-6 career record and winning three NY State Championships (1981-1983).  Dom Pensa placed 2nd at 217 lbs. Steve Valyo placed 3rd at 155 lbs. Freshman Sal Fava placed 4th at 91 lbs and John Tobin placed 5th at 138 lbs.

In late January, the Baymen suffered a bitter non-league road loss to their cross town rivals, Westhampton Beach (League 7) but came close to upsetting Suffolk County powerhouse Bay Shore on February 6th losing 24-18.  The Baymen cruised through the League 8 dual meet season going undefeated and winning their 3rd straight League title. The Baymen came through and won their first Conference IV Tournament Championship with 204 points. Westhampton Beach finished 2nd  with 182 points. The Baymen had 8 wrestlers in the finals, crowning 4 champions and 6 other place-winners. One of the highlights of the Conference IV Tournament was John Tobin's (138 lbs) thrilling semi-final pin of Glenn Bilello of Miller Place. Bilello was the 1979 Suffolk County runner-up at 138 lbs. Tom McSherry won his first Conference Championships at 122 lbs. Paul Candela became the first four-time league/conference champion defeating teammate John Tobin in the finals. It was the first time two Baymen met in the championship round of a wrestling tournament. Steve Valyo won the championship at 158 lbs. Dom Pensa won the 217 lb championship. George Hastings, going for his 3rd straight conference championship, lost a tough 6-5 match to senior Joe Krase of Rocky Point. George had the lead the entire match until the final seconds when Krase executed a reversal for the win. The coaches awarded Krase the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award. Also placing 2nd were Mike Mayer (94 lbs) and Charlie Nicholson (108 lbs). Ken Tobin (101 lbs) and Doug Matz (119 lbs) placed 3rd.

The 1979-80 Baymen did not fare well in the Suffolk County (Section XI) wrestling tournament.  Paul Candela was upset in the first round by Howie Greenblatt (Deer Park). Greenblatt went on to finish 2nd.  George Hastings suffered a first round loss to 2nd seed George Xantacky (Half Hollow Hills East).  Steve Valyo lost a first round match. Dom Pensa lost a quarterfinal match to Dave Newton of Pt Jefferson. Newton went on to finish 2nd. In the quarter-final round John Tobin lost to Bill Gaffney of Huntington. Gaffney went on to win the NY State Championship.