The LoHud Wrestling Blog

With the wrestling season fast-approaching, I’m going to get everyone set with a new individual team preview everyday over the next month or so. I’ve been exchanging emails with coaches from around the section to gather information on as many teams as possible. This will give everyone a good idea of what each team has coming back, and how these coaches feel about their chances in 2011-12.

To get the previews as soon as they come out, follow me on Twitter @vzmercogliano. I’ll be dropping information there as soon as I find it out throughout the season, as well as providing live updates when I’m covering tournaments and dual meets. It’s really the best place to find out what’s going on before anyone else does, and it’s also a good way to interact. Feel free to shoot any questions you have at me via tweet.

I’m doing the previews on a first-come, first-serve basis, and Horace Greeley coach Mike DeBellis, who is entering his fifth season as the Quakers head coach, was the first to get back to me. These are his words:

How did your team do last season?
Dual meet record: 8-12; Wrestlers who made it to Division 1 sectional tournament: Kirby Atlas (103 pounds), Jon Russo (126) and Scott Wymbs (171).

Who are your top returning wrestlers (with expected weight class)?
Kirby Atlas (106), Jon Russo (126), Mitchell Klein (138), Matt Mercer (145), Scott Wymbs (195), Billy Marino (215) and Tyler Ferguson (285).

Who are the top wrestlers that you lost to graduation?
None

What is the biggest strength of your lineup?
Our team has been working extremely hard in the offseason and we should have the experience this year to be in every match.

What is your biggest concern entering the season?
Peaking at the right time.

Which team(s) is your biggest rival?
Any league competition.

Will you host any tournaments this season?
We will be hosting the Section 1 dual meet opening round on Dec. 6th, the Horace Greeley duals on Dec. 10th and Divisionals on Feb. 5th.

Tuesday’s preview: Croton-Harmon