BERNER HS/MASSAPEQUA HS WRESTLING
ALUMNI REUNION
By Jim and Tony Nordland
The inaugural Berner HS/Massapequa HS Wrestling Alumni Beach Party Reunion held at Tobay Beach on Saturday, August 9th, 2008 was a huge success. The event was sanctioned by the Friends of Massapequa Wrestling Inc.and sponsored in conjunction with the Tobay Beach Lifeguards. The reception at the Ocean Pavilion had various displays, speeches and film clips of wrestling highlights from the storied past of both wrestling programs. Among the videos were a touching tribute to the late Rudy Fiorvanti (a 1970 MHS alum and rare three-sport athlete) and former Hall-of-Fame Chief's coach Gary Mims. About 500 former wrestlers, coaches and friends were in attendance including Berner HS state champion, Mike Bevilacqua (1985) and Massapequa state king, Mike LaBella (2001), along with state runners-up, Gary Jaeger (1970), Lindsay Biagini (1976-77), and Don Ophals (1981). Special thanks to the group organizers, Vito Mundo, Steve Strumwasser, Steve Grimes and Dan Wetzel. |
