STORY (video to be added later tonight): @Wantagh_Warrior wins the first-ever @NYSPHSAA dual meet state championship, led by wrestlers jumping up in weight class in key matches. https://t.co/i0h6DtTWPh
— Owen O'Brien (@owenobri) January 28, 2018
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — In the biggest matches at the most important dual meet of the season, Wantagh didn't hesitate to get creative with its lineup and weight classes.
Wantagh trailed Minisink Valley by seven points at the inaugural state Division I dual meet wrestling championships Saturday, but the Warriors had a plan. They went small — in a way — knowing that the talent of their wrestlers could overcome a weight disadvantage. James Langan, who spent the afternoon wrestling at 182 pounds, competed at 195 pounds, and Jonathan Loew, in the 195-weight class, bumped up to 220 in the finals.
"I was thinking in the back of my head I knew I needed a pin," Langan said. "But at the same time, I was just going out to wrestle my match and just get the win for my team."