MONROE, CT — Salvatore Longo, a member of Masuk High School’s Class of 2014, nearly won a state title for wrestling as a Panther. His younger brother Luke was only seven at the time. After seeing his big brother come close to getting on the wrestling banner in the Masuk gymnasium, Luke said, “I’m gonna get on the banner.”
Now, nearly a decade later, Luke won the title in the 157 pound class at the CIAC Class M State Tournament at Guilford High School on Feb. 17, while his proud brother Sal served as a Panthers’ assistant coach.
“It was an amazing moment for me watching him, because he’s put in so much effort and time,” Sal said. “It was like a Netflix special because, who coaches his brother to a state title? Most brothers are in the stands watching or can’t make it.”
Luke Longo, a Masuk junior, had three victories, all by major decision, throughout the tournament. Then he won in the finals 8 to 1.
Masuk teammate, sophomore, Anthony King, won two matches in the 106 pound class on his way to the semifinals, one by pin fall and one by decision. He would go on to lose his semifinals match, then wrestle his way back into the tournament, finishing fourth at the M.
Both wrestlers finished 2-2 at the State Open at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven last Friday. The tournament featured the top six wrestlers from each class: LL, M and S.
Masuk Head Coach is Cody Hoskins guides the program, which was established by his father Dave.
The last male Masuk wrestler to appear in the state finals was Sal Longo, who said Cody Hoskins was an assistant coach at the time. Now, Luke Longo will join four other school wrestlers on the banner at Masuk.
“The experience meant everything. I can’t put into words, the feeling,” Luke said. “I didn’t feel like it was a match I needed to win for me. Thirteen years of wrestling, sure it was for me, and the time I put in. But it was for my brother, my mom, my family, and my head coach Cody Hoskins.”
“We have had a lot of heartbreak in Masuk Wrestling, great wrestlers who put a lot into the program, guys who still come back to help me get better,” he said. “And we all needed someone on that banner. So yeah, I did it for them too. This program is special.”
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