Seaford Wrestling Program Hosts Clinic for Local Youngsters

The Seaford wrestling program hosted its second annual summer camp at from July 18-22. The Vikings’ coaching staff from the varsity, junior varsity (JV) and middle school teams headed the youth program.

Seaford High School head wrestling coach  Sal LoStrappo, the 1998 Nassau County Coach of the Year, was in attendance along with assistant coaches Dave and Rob Takseraas, who were both All-County wrestlers for the Vikings long with later competing at the Division I collegiate level. Neil Murray, also a former All-County wrestler at Seaford, is the JV coach at the school and was also on hand. Lastly, James Pollin, the coach, aided for the duration of the week.

“Our whole philosophy is for the kids to have fun and we want their first impression of the sport to be thatm" said Coach Takseraas. "If they enjoy the camp, they can get hooked on the sport. With the techniques we do, we go over basic stance, motions and different takedowns, so everybody came away with learning something new.”

Coaches and both recently graduated as well as current Seaford wrestlers worked with the 22 campers in attendance. The campers, who ranged from first graders to seventh graders, were primarily from the Seaford community, but youngsters from Levittown, Farmingdale and East Meadow were also amongst the participants.

The youth wrestlers attended the daily four-hour sessions where coaches taught different technical skills, conditioning drills, and of course a wealth of fun games and activities to tie in to the program.

Along with the current Vikings wrestlers on hand to aid the coaches, the former wrestlers included Anthony Facchini (class of 2009), Blake Fisher (2008), Ryan Harding (2011) and Dan Harding (2007). Each of these wrestlers were All-County performers, so along with the coaches, the attendees were well in good hands. 

Facchini was a three-time All-County wrestler and, in addition, was a two-time state qualifier and two-time County finalist. He continued wrestling at SUNY Oswego.

“I love helping at this camp because it is the most fun any young wrestler will have,” said Facchini. “I like to come back to wrestle with the varisty team and help out with the middle school team, so I feel like I need to pass down what I have learned, too.”

Fisher was a four-time All-County wrestler at Seaford and also wrestled with Facchini at SUNY Oswego, where he served as the captain for two years. 

“These coaches helped make me the wrestler that I am and I’m thankful that they put the time and energy into me, so I feel it is my turn to give back to the kids. It is a really good feeling to do so,” said Fisher.

For more information regarding functions of the Seaford Wrestling program as well as future events, visit http://seafordwrestling.com/.