STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Monsignor Farrell and St Joseph by-the-Sea got into the spirit of the holiday season during a 2 p.m. dual meet on Monday, but it was the Lions who delivered a stocking full of coal to the Vikings in the form of a dominating, 69-5 win at the loser’s gym.
The meet got started at 103 pounds with Farrell’s Kaiden Noia winning by fall in 4:31 over River Timbreza, followed by pins from Sal Marsilla (110) over Sea’s Sal Ferraioli in 1:49 in the first period and Patrick Caputo (118) pinning Nicholas Cirillo of Sea.
The Lions picked up major decisions (eight points or more) from Thomas Surace (126), Rich Purpura (138), John Bonura (190), and AJ Lombardi (285). Others recording pins for the Lions included Albert Lula (132), Alan Biktyakov (144), Anthony Taylor (157), Misha Belyakov (165) and Rocco Musso (215).
In the end, the Oakwood won 13 of 14 weight classes and scored bonus points in each of its 13 wins, despite missing four starters. Sea’s lone win came at (150) with Steve Caruso winning by tech fall over Fran Galeano, 16-1.
The most exciting match of the day was between Bonura and Justin Stassi. Bonura, who usually wrestles at 175 and asked to bump up and wrestle Stassi, arguably Sea’s best wrestler.
“Johnny has been wrestling great and has had some tough opponents; he wants the tough matches — that’s just who he is,” explained Farrel head coach Peter Hamm. “Bonura struck early with a seven-point hip throw and extended his lead eventually winning 14-5 by major decision.
“Stassi is an athletic, tough wrestler who knows his way around a wrestling mat. He wrestled tough against Johnny,” explained long-time Farrell coach and wrestling advocate Dave Ironman.
Farrell and Sea will compete next at the Ironman Invitational at Farrell on Jan. 3, 2026.