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BEDFORD, N.Y. -- The good news for the Fox Lane wrestling teams opponents is that Steven Rodrigues, a four-time sectional champion and state titlist, graduated, as did Peter Grippi and John Grecco.The trio combined for more than 120 wins last season. However, Fox Lanes lineup was so deep and talented, five sectional place finishers return for the defending Section 1 Large School champions---Seniors Danny Ventura and Sam Speno, both state finalists, along with classmates Matt Pasqualini and Giancarlo Morreale, and junior Tommy Grippi highlight the 2011-12 Fox Lane wrestling team, which opened practice, Monday.The dean of Section 1 wrestling coaches, Joe Amuso, was on the mat for his 41st year, demonstrating moves with his wrestlers like the former stand-out he was during his scholastic career.Along with winning a sectional title, Fox Lane was the Section 1 Dual Meet champion and was among the top three in team scoring at the state championships.Thirty-seven wrestlers were in the room for the first day of practice, including eighth-grader Scott Rodrigues, younger brother of Steven.Its been a long wait and now the season is finally here, said Ventura, a sectional finalist last year, who received a wild card to the state championships. I woke up at five this morning and did some running and then I came to school and worked out. I had free last period so I ran before practice.Ventura lost in the Section 1 Large-School 119-pound final to Sufferns Nick Oliveto, then beat him in the state semis. Speno was the large school 112-pound champion. Pasqualini (145 pounds) and Grippi (135 pounds) were both sectional finalists. Grippi had the unfortunate task of facing Somers Brian Realbuto in the final. Morreale finished fifth at 145 pounds.After Amuso spoke to the team about rules and requirements, the four captains -- Ventura, Speno, Pasqualini and Morreale -- were leading the exercises. In past years, this group deferred to Steven Rodrigues, who finished with more than 220 varsity wins. Now, it is their turn to lead.Steven was always a good person to learn from, said Ventura, who drilled with Rodrigues in practice. Its hard not having him here for his example but we can envision what he would do. We all learned a lot from him.Ventura and his classmates know that practice is going to be a battle every day because the seniors and Grippi are all within a weight class or two of each other. This allows them to drill with each other.No matter who we go with, we know we are going to be able to drill hard, said Ventura of himself, Speno, Morreale, Pasqualini and Grippi.This quintet spent the summer working out hard at John Degls Iowa Style Wrestling School. They are not taking anything for granted this year.Even though Steven graduated, we think we have a pretty solid foundation back, Ventura said. Weve all been working hard because people expect a lot out of Fox Lane and we expect a lot out of ourselves.We know every individual and every team is going to bring their best against us and be aggressive so we have to be prepared. We also feel like we have some unfinished business.
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