Labate, D'Angelo Looking to Place at Counties

Commack’s CJ Labate advanced to the 103-pound semifinals after two victories Sunday at the Division I Suffolk County wrestling championship.

Labate pinned West Babylon’s Michael Almonte in 1:37 and pinned Smithtown East’s Steven Bair in his only bouts. He’ll wrestle Eastport-South Manor’s Travis Passaro, who has been on a tear so far, Monday at Stony Brook University.

Mike D’Angelo, wrestling at 96 pounds, lost, 6-3, to Kings Park’s Andrew Roden, but wrestled back in the lower bracket to beat West Babylon’s Steven Lee, 6-0. Now D’ Angelo will face Central Islip’s Walter Ibanez for a chance at third place if he keeps winning.

Alex Keyles lost in the first round of his 189-pound bout. 

Notes & Quotes

-Huntington’s Nigel McNeil, wrestling at 119 pounds, has not lost in two years and advanced to the semifinals with easy wins Sunday afternoon.

-Hauppauge’s Chris Mauriello, wrestling at 96 pounds, will wrestle in the semis Monday. He is the younger brother of Nick, who was recently in the news for his battle with MRSA.

-Longwood leads all teams with six wrestlers in the semis, while John Glenn has five.

-Overall point leaders Division I: Longwood (100), John Glenn (68), Sachem East (55), Connetquot (55) and Huntington (53).

-Overall point leaders Division II: Bayport (188.5), Center Moriches (117.5), Mattituck (110.5) and Port Jefferson (99).

-Rocky Point head coach Darren Goldstein on the county finals: “This is the big show. It’s what everybody trains for all year long."