Suffolk Wrestling Stars Make Sports Illustrated Rankings

The new high school wrestling season hasn't even started yet, but Suffolk County is already making plenty of noise.

Sports Illustrated has released its first rankings for the upcoming wrestling season after removing graduating seniors from last year's list, and New York State is well represented. Nineteen wrestlers from across the state made the initial rankings, with Suffolk County once again proving it has plenty of talent ready to take the mat.

Among the familiar names is Bellport star Cam Howard, who returns as one of the area's top wrestlers. Howard has established himself as one of Suffolk's standout competitors, and his appearance on the Sports Illustrated list comes as no surprise to anyone who has followed his career.

Shoreham-Wading River standout Gavin Mangano also made the list. Mangano has been one of the Wildcats' top performers and will enter the new season with plenty of attention surrounding him.

But this year's rankings aren't just about the established stars. There are also some exciting new names making their first appearance.

Half Hollow Hills East freshman Santino Pascarella is one of the newcomers to watch. Making a statewide ranking as a freshman is no small accomplishment, and Pascarella will have an opportunity to show Suffolk wrestling fans why Sports Illustrated believes he belongs among the state's best.

Commack's Niko Marnika is another new name on the list and will look to make his mark as the season progresses.

Longwood star Anthony LaGala-Ryan also earned a spot in the rankings, giving the Lions another wrestler to keep an eye on as the season gets underway.

Hauppauge's Trevor Patrovich rounds out the Suffolk contingent, adding another familiar local name to a list filled with some of New York's best young wrestlers.

With 19 New York wrestlers making the initial Sports Illustrated rankings and several coming from Suffolk County, it is clear that the area remains one of the state's premier wrestling hotbeds.

And the best part? These rankings are only the beginning.

Once the season gets rolling and wrestlers have the opportunity to prove themselves on the mat, expect plenty of movement. For Suffolk fans, that's a pretty good problem to have.