East Islip's Argenti and Vik both capture tourney titles
It was a tournament of firsts for two East Islip wrestlers. Seniors Anthony Argenti and Erik Vik Saturday won tournament titles for the first time this season. Argenti's win was extra special - it was his first ever.
"It was a great moment for Anthony," East Islip coach Guy Leggio said. "He puts in the time and the effort and it finally paid off. Not everyone can win tournaments all the time. He's never won a tournament, even at the 'Kid' wrestling level. So this is a very big deal for his family."
Argenti's mom, Joanne, a breast cancer survivor since 2004, was understandably emotional at the end of the tournament. She has been a staple at East Islip's wrestling events for the past four years.
"She's just a wonderful person," Leggio said. "I cried when I learned of her battle with cancer. She never told me. And she's always so upbeat and happy. I love her."
For Vik, who won the League III title at 152 pounds last season, this was his first big win of the current campaign. Vik won the 171-pound class with a 4-3 victory over Mount Sinai's Connor Stroh.
It's never fun for teammates when they wrestle each other in the finals of a tournament. Leggio had to sit back and watch seniors Connor McCue and Andrew Slawson vie for the 285-pound crown. Slawson used a front headlock to pin McCue in 1:24 to win his second straight Gilmore title.
"It's gravy when your two guys reach the finals," Leggio said. "You sit back and enjoy."
The 6-5 McCue, who weighed 316 pounds at the start of the season, made weight for his first tournament.
"It's exciting to be in my first tournament," said McCue, who won his first two bouts, including a 3-2 upset of Center Moriches junior Connor Murphy. "I work out with Andrew every day to get in shape and work on technique."
McCue's big semifinal win came over Murphy, second in the Suffolk Division II county tournament last season.
East Islip's Tyler Conway was the fourth champ for the Redmen, winning at 152 pounds, his second Gilmore crown.
