Section XI is sad to learn about the passing of Rich LoNigro, the founder and longtime owner and operator of Port Jeff Sporting Goods. He was 81.

LoNigro started the business in 1971 and it was built into one of the top ten privately owned sporting goods companies in the United States.  In 2018, Port Jefferson Sporting Goods was acquired by BSN Sporting Goods, and Rich got to fulfill his lifelong dream to spend every waking moment with his family and his beloved grandchildren.

LoNigro was instrumental in founding St. Gerard’s Baseball and Soccer intramural programs and the Terryville Soccer Travel league, which combined have benefited thousands of young local athletes and are still flourishing today.

Throughout his life, Richie was honored in many ways.  In 1984, Hope House Ministries and Father Frank Pizzarelli recognized him as Man of the Year.  In 2000, Richie was honored as The Man of The Year by the Suffolk County Police Athletic League (PAL).

Richie was also nationally recognized by Rawlings Sporting Goods Company as a “Silver Glove” recipient, a rare honor bestowed on only a select few in the sporting goods industry.  In 2006, Richie was inducted into the New York State USSSA (Softball) Hall of Fame for his dedication as an outstanding player and business relationship. He was also inducted into the St. Anthony’s High School Hall of Fame.

Richie was on the original Board of Directors of the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame.  In 2016, he was honored with a special recognition award.  At this award banquet, with all of his family there, he said, “I own a business that makes trophies, and trophies are things we are all very proud of.  I brought all of my trophies with me tonight, and they are sitting out there in the audience.  These are my trophies and awards; I take them wherever I go”.

Richard was pre-deceased by his parents, Angelo and Rose, Brothers Joseph, Frank, Phillip and Steven, daughter Trisha Ann and son Matthew (Julia).  He is survived by his amazing wife Priscilla of 62 years who was the absolute love of his life, Richard Jr., Robert (Amy), Michael (Angela), Craig (Kristin), Kevin (Kim), Keira (Robert), Koren(Tim), Paul(Donna), Shauna(Robert), Brianne(Nicholas).  He was also survived by his amazing 26 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild.

MASS: Thursday, February 8, 2024 – 10:00 AM, St. Gerard Majella RC Church, Port Jefferson Station, NY

Congrats to every All-League wrestler, and good luck to those moving on to the Suffolk County wrestling championships!

Get your tickets in advance for those interested in attending the county tournament!

League tournament results from the Long Island Wrestling Association

Suffolk League 1 Tournament at Patchogue-Medford HS
February 3, 2024
Team Scores
1 Patchogue-Medford 219.5
2 Longwood 191
3 Walt Whitman 191
4 Brentwood 155.5
5 Central Islip 120.5
6 William Floyd 69
7 Riverhead 24

Brackets

Championship Finals
101 – Aiden Morin (PM) dec. Joshua Bender (Lwd) 4-0
108 – Anthony LaGala-Ryan (Lwd) pinned Jayson Savage (WW) 2:57
116 – Mason Jacobellis (PM) dec. Jack Meyer (WF) 4-3
124 – Devin Connelly (Lwd) dec. Francis Ruf (PM) 4-3
131 – Joel Duchimaza (PM) dec. Kris Ayala (WW) 8-1
138 – Michael McGuiness (WW) pinned Kyon Sarwari (Lwd) 3:19
145 – Pfeiffer Morrison (Lwd) md. Giovanni Salmeron (CI) 16-8
152 – Jason Kwaak (Bwd) md. John De La Rosa (Bwd) 8-0
160 – Chase Hinson (WW) dec. Claret Acheampong (Bwd) 9-5
170 – Matt Gervasio (WW) dec. Kenneth Suarez (CI) 8-6 SV
190 – Christopher Reyes (WW) pinned Steven Mahoney (Lwd) 3:47
215 – Luis Navarro (WW) def. Chris Ayala (Bwd) Inj.Dflt
285 – Dylan Kent (Lwd) dec. Hamza Ibn (PM) 10-6
Most Outstanding Wrestler: Anthony LaGala-Ryan (Longwood
Most Pins Least Time: Jason Kwaak (Brentwood, 152), 3 in 3:40
Consolation Finals
101 – Zachary Gevinski (Riv) dec. Lucas Tonna (WW) 7-3
108 – Noah Barke (PM) pinned David Barrera (WF) 4:44
116 – Deny Robles (Bwd) md. Peyton Inzirillo (PM) 13-3
124 – Ryan Maiorana (WW) dec. Eliezer Sanchez (CI) 9-4
131 – Derek Lopez (Bwd) pinned Lukas Ryan (WW) 3:45
138 – Rocco Azzara (PM) dec. Junaid Chaudhry (Lwd) 4-3
145 – Jack Kent (Lwd) md. Aidan Sasek (PM) 11-3
152 – Mael Ramirez (CI) pinned Logan Brown (PM) 4:42
160 – Maximo Vilorio (Bwd) dec. Zack Ginas (PM) 2-1
170 – David Gonzales (WF) dec. Jimmy Gaston (CI) 9-4
190 – Julio Tacuri (PM) pinned Josiah Lors (WF) 3:44
215 – Jason Gielarowski (WF) def. Ashton Klugewicz (PM) FF
285 – Milton Landaverde (CI) dec. Hazard Perry (PM) 1-0

Suffolk League 2 Tournament at Commack MS
February 3, 2024
Team Scores
1 Sachem North 203
2 Connetquot 187.5
3 Lindenhurst 170.5
4 Commack 133
5 Bay Shore 107
6 Ward Melville 88.5
7 Sachem East 56

Brackets

Championship Finals
101 – Dario Guglielmo (WM) dec. Chase Phillips (WM) 4-1
108 – Vinny Augello (Com) dec. Kyle Yannucciello (WM) 2-0
116 – Anthony Severino (Lind) dec. Mikey Tietjen (SacE) 6-0
124 – Jack Cusumano (SacN) dec. Niko Marnika (Com) 9-6
131 – Vasili Ragavanis (Com) md. Michael Kerr (Con) 8-0
138 – Joseph Marotta (SacN) dec. Zachary Carlson (Con) 7-4
145 – Jayden Medina (Con) TF Mike Scarandino (Lind) 15-0
152 – Brendan Knapp (BS) pinned Roman Obert-Thorn (Con) 0:55
160 – Jayden Lovell (Com) def. Christian Campay (Lind) DQ
170 – Christopher Reddy (BS) md. Brady Curry (Com) 10-2
190 – Bryan Aulino (Lind) def. Connor D`Ambrosio (Con) by FFT
215 – Nate Gsell (SacN) dec. Kyle McLaughlin (Con) 4-2
285 – Chase Frole (Lind) pinned Logan Spinella (SacN) 2:11
Most Outstanding Wrestler: Anthony Severino (Lindenhurst, 116)
Most Pins Least Time: Brendan Knapp (Bay Shore, 152), 4 in 2:50
Consolation Finals
101 – Ethan Hauser (Con) dec. Mert Ozturk (Lind) 3-2
108 – Zachary Rothenberg (WM) pinned Corey Bardua (SacN) 1:40
116 – Julian Medina (Con) md. Thomas Keegan (SacN) 16-3
124 – Joshua Thomas (SacN) pinned Ruari Moore (Con) 1:25
131 – Christian Arcati (Lind) dec. Jake Fischer (SacN) 9-5
138 – Josiah Burgess (BS) dec. Ryan Pickersgill (SacE) 8-1
145 – Reid Harvey (Con) md. Anthony Caputo (SacN) 14-3
152 – Logan Williamson (SacN) dec. Austin Brendl (SacE) 3-0
160 – Kai Shapiro (Con) dec. John Betancourt (BS) 2-0
170 – Thomas Volpe (SacN) pinned Dimitrios Gonzalez (SacN) 1:52
190 – Joshua Holliman-Pollonais (BS) dec. Justin Marshall (Com) 3-2
215 – Nick Rose (Lind) pinned Ryan Lane (SacE) 4:14
285 – Valdey Pierre (SacN) pinned Aj Lollo (WM) 0:27

Suffolk League 3 Tournament at North Babylon’s Robert Moses MS
February 3, 2024
Team Scores
1 North Babylon 332
2 Smithtown East 186
3 Northport 166.5
4 Half Hollow Hills East 91
5 Newfield 70
6 Centereach 56
7 Copiague 14.5

Brackets

Championship Finals
101 – Xavier Seabury (NB) dec. Alex Hernandez (New) 4-2 SV
108 – Dylan Reinard (SmE) pinned Logan Pascarella (HHHE) 1:47
116 – Matthew McDermott (SmE) dec. Timothy Pescatore (NB) 4-1
124 – Matt Marlow (Npt) TF James Figueroa (NB) 16-1
131 – Jack DiBenedetto (SmE) dec. Tyler Visciano (SmE) 5-4
138 – Chris Holm (Npt) dec. Adriano Ochoa (NB) 6-1
145 – Kingston Strouse (Npt) dec. John Rowland (NB) 6-0
152 – Peter Banculli (NB) md. Jason Mack (NB) 12-0
160 – Lee Faber (Npt) def. Isiah Gutierrez (NB) Inj. Dflt 1:09
170 – Nicholas Sevilla (HHHE) pinned Gianluca Turano (NB) 5:45
190 – Joel Lomax (NB) TF Quint Barber (Npt) 20-5
215 – Jacob Ruiz (NB) pinned Elijah Myers (NB) 0:47
285 – Alexander Seger (NB) pinned Jeffrey Michel (NB) 1:44
Most Outstanding Wrestler: Matthew McDermott (Smithtown East, 116)
Most Pins Least Time: Dylan Reinard (Smithtown East, 108), 3 in 3:54
Consolation Finals
101 – Dylan Tuthill (Npt) pinned Aaron Mangra (HHHE) 1:45
108 – Tyler Rooney (SmE) pinned Robert Obrien (Cen) 2:06
116 – Andrew Arnone (SmE) pinned Peter Luca (NB) 4:26
124 – Evan Nunez (New) dec. Blake Burtis (SmE) 6-4
131 – Tim McLam (Npt) dec. Raynaldo DeJesus (NB) 6-3
138 – Andrew DiMondo (Cen) pinned Nicholas Mauri (New) 1:59
145 – Kenneth Meza Betanco (Cop) TF Cameron Fleece (SmE) 18-2
152 – Peyton Hamada (Npt) pinned Giovanni Antonelli (SmE) 1:52
160 – Vincent DiLoreto (SmE) dec. Kenaje Demosthene (Cen) 3-1 SV
170 – Dante Oleaga (NB) md. Khriztopher Gonzalez (New) 13-3
190 – Jayden Mathe (Cen) dec. Ozan Ozturk (HHHE) 8-4
215 – Jacob Giannattasio (HHHE) pinned Yousef Abumusallam (New) 1:38
285 – Xavier Pineda (SmE) pinned Trevon Cole-Jenkins (HHHE) 1:32

Suffolk League 4 Tournament at Smithtown West HS
February 3, 2024
Team Scores
1 Smithtown West 238
2 Bellport 232
3 West Islip 146.5
4 East Hampton 115
5 Huntington 110
6 West Babylon 63
7 Deer Park 53

Brackets

Championship Finals
101 – Tyler Conzo (SmW) dec. Austin Bronco Campsey (EH) 2-0
108 – Thomas Smith (Bell) dec. Paul Vasaturo (WI) 7-0
116 – Henry Caceras (Bell) dec. Michael Cea (WI) 8-1
124 – Colten Ford (SmW) dec. Juan Roque (EH) 8-3
131 – Max DeSousa (SmW) dec. Anthony Santana (Bell) 3-0
138 – Camryn Howard (Bell) pinned Donovan Rail (SmW) 1:19
145 – Peter Graham (SmW) pinned Brandon Bailey (DP) 5:28
152 – Christian St. John (Hu) pinned Jack DiMaggio (SmW) 4:43
160 – Max Casiano (Hu) md. James Rogler (WI) 9-0
170 – Nick Zins (SmW) pinned Adam Beckwith (EH) 1:47
190 – Izaiah Green (Bell) pinned Nick Serrano (WB) 5:30
215 – Juan Espinoza (EH) pinned Justin Calero (Bell) 3:18
285 – Jacob Snedeker (Bell) pinned Logan Tynebor (SmW) 3:32
Most Outstanding Wrestler: Christian St. John (Huntington, 152)
Most Pins Least Time: Izaiah Green (Bellport, 190), 4 in 7:59
Consolation Finals
101 – Evan Margolis (SmW) TF Colin Reilly (Bell) 15-0
108 – Orson Munoz (WI) pinned Mason Jones (DP) 2:45
116 – Jack Renner (WB) dec. Jaiden Porknoy (WB) 5-0
124 – Danny Alini (WI) dec. Stephen Ponce (SmW) 8-2
131 – Jonathon Granito (Hu) pinned Maceo Blumberg (WI) 2:54
138 – Leo Mastroberti (WI) TF Evan Peters (Bell) 15-0
145 – Luke Castillo (EH) def. Joseph Delgado (WI) by FFT
152 – Vincent Pupillo (Hu) pinned James Moore (WI) 1:51
160 – James Dauch (WB) dec. Jason Nichols (Bell) 9-6
170 – Thomas Smith (Hu) pinned Hamdi Tecki (WB) 3:55
190 – Xander Ky (SmW) pinned Joseph Saladino (WI) 0:46
215 – Hayden Tooker (Bell) pinned William Noto (SmW) 2:49
285 – Ryan Gotay (DP) pinned Jeffery Quintanilla (Hu) 4:01

Suffolk League 5 Tournament at East Isp HS
February 3, 2024
Team Scores
1 East Islip 229
2 Hauppauge 189
3 Rocky Point 163
4 Comsewogue 112
5 Westhampton Beach 94
6 Eastport-South Manor 86.5

Brackets

Championship Finals
101 – Trevor Patrovich (Haup) dec. Rocco DeStefano (EI) 6-2
108 – Gino Manta (Haup) pinned Connor Sheridan (Haup) 3:31
116 – Aidan Donohue (RP) pinned Tyler Callahan (RP) 2:50
124 – Mason Mangialino (Coms) pinned Justin Mazzuco (EI) 1:10
131 – Gryffin Alfalla (EI) dec. Dylan Aristides (EI) 1-0
138 – Luke Pires (ESM) dec. Elijah Infante (Haup) 7-4
145 – Anthony Avitabile (EI) dec. Luke Zadrazil (ESM) 6-0
152 – Nicholas Flaherty (Coms) dec. Malachi Reid (RP) 10-3
160 – Charles Olaechea (Haup) def. Matt Mitchko (RP) Inj. Dflt 0:47
170 – Aidan Barry (RP) dec. Christoper Coleman (EI) 8-3
190 – Nicholas Groneman (EI) pinned Connor Rodgers (WHB) 1:00
215 – Brandon Bermingham (Coms) dec. Chase Canfora (EI) 1-0
285 – Matt Pompeii (ESM) pinned Trevor Barrett (RP) 1:31
Most Outstanding Wrestler: Gino Manta (Hauppauge, 108)
Most Pins Least Time: Charles Olaechea (Hauppauge, 160), 3 in 2:14
Consolation Finals
101 – Dylan Blenk (WHB) dec. Ryder Smith (Haup) 5-2
108 – Finley Monahan (RP) def. Darren Cangelosi (WHB) Inj. Dflt 0:30
116 – Anthony Liedtke (EI) dec. Jason Difrietus (Haup) 9-5
124 – Matt Beardsley (ESM) pinned Devin Brophy (Haup) 5:00
131 – Benjamin Vallone (Haup) dec. Brody Donohue (RP) 5-3 SV
138 – Sean O`Shea (EI) dec. Robert Stabile (WHB) 6-3
145 – Jackson Tacca (Haup) md. Ben Field (Coms) 10-0
152 – Andrew Lewis (WHB) dec. Christian Avignone (Coms) 5-0
160 – Joseph Carasiti (WHB) pinned Carmine Esposito (WHB) 4:18
170 – Matthew D`Amico (EI) dec. Irving Cruz (Coms) 6-3
190 – Christian Horeis (EI) dec. Berkay Ciftcikal (Coms) 7-6
215 – Brayden Dickneider (Haup) dec. Leandro Esquivel-Aguilar (WHB) 7-0
285 – Jamie Nunberg (RP) pinned Brian Csoban (EI) 0:37

Suffolk League 6 Tournament at Sayville HS
February 3, 2024
Team Scores
1 Islip 263
2 Sayville 191
3 Miller Place 172
4 Kings Park 116
5 Half Hollow Hills West 93
6 Harborfields 62
7 Amityville 18

Brackets

Championship Finals
101 – Ayden LaBella (Say) dec. Matthew Peterson (Isp) 7-2
108 – Anthony Perrino (MP) pinned Cartier Perez (Isp) 1:26
116 – Cristian Medina (HHHW) md. Kevin Horner (Isp) 11-2
124 – Jack Whitehouse (Isp) dec. Spencer Bruno (MP) 8-3
131 – Michael Giugliano (MP) md. Matthew Frueh (MP) 12-4
138 – Leo Mongiello (Say) pinned Max Haynes (Isp) 1:38
145 – Jared Spahn (Isp) dec. Dean Renna (KP) 6-4
152 – Anthony Marino (KP) md. Dan Holahan (Say) 12-3
160 – Brian Schreck (MP) pinned James Nickel (Isp) 1:16
170 – Brendan Ridge (HHHW) md. Daniel Sullivan (Say) 9-0
190 – Zach Miller (Isp) pinned Javen Taff (Say) 1:15
215 – Carter White (Say) TF Chase Renna (KP) 16-0
285 – Dominick Albertelli (Isp) def. Jonathan Hernandez (Isp) by FFT
Most Outstanding Wrestler: Jared Spahn (Islip, 145)
Most Pins Least Time: Leo Mongiello (Sayville, 138), 4 in 2:58
Consolation Finals
101 – Nicolo Dolson (MP) md. Brett Levine (HHHW) 12-0
108 – Jair Reinoso (Say) pinned Noah Bloom (MP) 4:13
116 – Tj Stazzone (KP) pinned Charles Clifford (MP) 1:50
124 – Christian Maldonado (Am) dec. Chris Costa (Say) 11-4
131 – Christian Bellock (KP) dec. Matthew Reina (Say) 8-4
138 – Joe Delucca (Isp) dec. Orion Yberg (Harb) 6-5
145 – Kevin Vasquez (KP) md. Hudson Slutsky (HHHW) 16-2
152 – Spencer Nassire (Isp) pinned Andrew White (Harb) 0:57
160 – Sean Casey (Say) pinned Hamza Khan (HHHW) 3:43
170 – Eddie Caroselli (Isp) pinned Bobby Constantatos (Harb) 1:47
190 – Matteo Valente (HHHW) md. Gage McKigney (KP) 10-2
215 – Taye Bennett-Guma (MP) dec. Stephano Manzo (MP) 2-0
285 – Qadoos Naeem (Harb) def. Steven Mercorella (Say) by MFFHampton Bays (HB) 56, Stony Brook (SB) 6
January 30, 2024
101 – Knox Mellert (SB) by FFT
108 – Double Forfeit
116 – John Depalma (HB) pinned Cole Lograno (SB) 1:41
124 – Kevin Saa Pacheco (HB) TF Stefano Cippitelli (SB) 16-0
131 – Nilson Quesada (HB) pinned Liam Mortimer (SB) 0:40
138 – David Orellana (HB) pinned Tianyi Wan (SB) 1:12
145 – Gianfranco Putzulu (HB) by FFT
152 – Angel Valverde (HB) pinned Yan Starodubets (SB) 1:44
160 – Cyrus Gutierrez-Tyler (HB) pinned Shengcong Wang (SB) 0:35
170 – Willem-Dakota Sarkis (HB) pinned Harrison Mellert (SB) 1:26
190 – Double Forfeit
215 – Dylan Berrocal (HB) dec. Evan Yao (SB) 7-4
285 – Michael Gutierrez (HB) by FFT

It was a great day at Centereach Lanes for more than 160 student-athletes in the Section XI Athletics For All Program!

Suffolk County Parks will host an info session for youth and adults interested in becoming Suffolk County lifeguards. We encourage you to share this with your community partners, students, local swim teams in High School and college, and staff.

Wednesday, January 31, is the LAST informational session for the 2024 season to learn about an exciting opportunity to become a Lifeguard! The session will occur from 7:00 – 8:00 pm at the Center Moriches Public Library. T

he Suffolk County Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking Youth interested in summer employment at local pools and beaches.

Congratulations to Rocky Point’s Julianna Hernandez on winning a New York State wrestling championship at 107 pounds!

Hernandez beat Teegan Sibble from Section V’s Bolivar-Richburg, 5-2.

Ward Melville Athletic Director Kevin Finnerty introduced Leah Jantzen, who works as a mental health specialist with student-athletes in Ward Melville, at a recent Section XI Athletic Director’s meeting.

Leah discussed her program and how to implement a mental health program in other schools.

Thanks for speaking with our ADs, Leah!