As the ninth seed in the PSAL Wrestling Dual Meet Championships, Petrides was not really expected to make much news.  Yet there were the Panthers on Saturday afternoon, having clawed their way into the finals against powerful Brooklyn Tech, leading 19-18 after eight matches.

Just when it looked like the Panthers might actually steal the headline, however, the Engineers showed why they are the three-time defending champions as they ran the table the rest of the way en route to a 54-19 triumph and the gold medal at Brooklyn Tech.

Petrides' Michael Esposito dominates his opponent in the quarterfinals. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)

The other Island entrant, Tottenville, also was eliminated by Brooklyn Tech.  The Pirates lost to the Engineers in the semifinals by a score of 48-18.

On Thursday night, the Panthers demolished Queens Aviation 87-0 in the opening round.  In the quarter-final round on Saturday morning they took on top-seeded Eagle Academy of the Bronx and pulled an upset by winning 48-27.  Recording pins for Petrides were Mike Esposito (182), Dolan McColgan (113), Joe DiForte (120) and Rob Welgoss (145).

"It was definitely an upset, but wrestling is all about match-ups and we just matched up very well against them," said Petrides coach Dave Olah.

The semi-final round against New Utrecht was a low-scoring affair and the Panthers emerged victorious 35-32.  Mike Esposito had the lone pin at 182 as the Panthers kept their dream of a city title alive.

The fact that Petrides made it to the medal round was a surprise to many, but not to their coach.

"I told them before the meet that other than Brooklyn Tech, which is head and shoulders above everybody else, it's an even playing field," said Olah.

In the finals, things started out well for the Panthers.  They forfeited the opening match at 182 pounds, but Mike Esposito, who was bumped up to 195, won by pin.  Brooklyn Tech took a 10-5 decision at 220 and recorded a quick pin in 31 seconds at 285, but Petrides won by forfeit at 99. After the Engineers took a 4-1 decision at 106, the Panthers won the next two matches: Dolan McColgan won by major decision (12-1) at 113 and Joe DiForte took a 3-0 decision at 120.

That gave the Panthers a 19-18 lead and prompted one of their wrestlers to yell from the sidelines, "We're gonna win this thing!"

Unfortunately, that's where the dream died.  Brooklyn Tech flexed its muscles and won all seven remaining matches, including four by pin, to take the title.

"I'm so proud of our guys because they really competed today and it paid off," said Olah.

Sixth-seeded Tottenville started the tournament in fine fashion by outclassing Bronx Science 73-3 on Thursday.  The Pirates met James Madison on Saturday morning in the quarters and won 51-24 behind pins by Joe Marino (99), Greg Pantaleone (106), Nick Azen (126), Phil DiBenedetto (132) and Mike Simon (145).

In the semis against Brooklyn Tech, the Pirates fell behind 15-0, but thought they were about to get back into it with Vlad Leverints at 195.

"He had his opponent on his back twice, but the kid reversed Vlad and pinned him," lamented Tottenville coach John Cichon.

Joe Murgolo recorded a pin at 220 for Tottenville, but Brooklyn Tech took control at 132 and won the remaining matches.

In the battle for third place, Tottenville defeated New Utrecht 37-33.  Joe Murgolo (220) had the lone pin for the Pirates and Frank Russo's winning decision at 170 in the final match of the day sealed the victory.