He really has that dog inside him.
The Island Tree Bulldog hasn't had a state champion wrestler since 1979, but it could all change from Friday thanks to a shot and takedown of Senior Joe Firocamo, the school's first three straight Nassau County title holder.
The 17-year-old won this year with a victory over Yiannis Thomas of Seaford two weeks ago.
Firocamo is on track to become one of the most memorable athletes in a small school district, not known as the athletic powerhouse.
“We were always looking down,” Firocamo told the Post. “Just because we are small, it doesn’t mean we are here to show them.
The team name that Filocamo plays three sports is the perfect rationale for his underdog athletic career.
In the fall, he watches two seconds as a running back, linebacker and long distance watcher on the football sideline, then removes about 20 pounds in the weight class of 138 pounds, but only wears more muscles as a lacrosse midfielder in the spring.
“Wrestling is my least favorite sport,” admitted Firocamo, who plans to go to Long Island University for LAX next year.
He joined the wrestling team for two reasons. It's about maintaining shape during the cold season and hitting your head without any problems.
In his senior year, two epic wrestling title wins were enough.
As a sophomo, Filocamo erased a 1-0 deficit against Justin Dvorak of Locust Valley, recording a dramatic 7-1 victory in the final seconds.
Then, as a junior, he defeated East Meadow wrestler Sebastian Barco.
“Last year I really hated wrestling,” Firocamo said of his fatigued commitment that can beat many athletes. “I finished my struggle at that point. I was 'I can't do this anymore. I don't enjoy sports.”
But just because he was down for the count doesn't mean that manager Damien Garcia was.
“The coach told me, 'It's not about you, it's about you and your family, your community, and the boys in the team,” Firocamo said.
Firocamo said there would be no difficult feelings either way, but really received the message when Garcia impressed the star leader in the sense of finishing what he started, and when his success really affected the little Levittown school.
“The community itself, the wrestling community, their parents, they like to have him. Garcia spoke about Firocamo.
The coach added that Firocamo's presence and mentorship quickly changed the tenor of Island Tree Wrestling.
“We haven't had that much newsworthy thing over the past decade,” Garcia said. “Joe led the way. There have been five county champions over the past three years and 10 kids have competed in the state tournament.”
After that, Firocamo began to notice fanfare himself.
“My guidance counselor was my father, my home and career teacher, saying, 'You have to wrestling, you have to wrestling,'” he recalled.
“And I dominated my fourth grade. Everything came together. …The second time I won the third championship. That's what the coach asked first. And I was.”
Garcia proudly says that Firocamo has enveloped his high school tenure with the best possible notes, beyond claiming the school's history.
“The younger kids were able to meet people who could handle the example because he was extremely hardworking,” the coach said. “We took him to the room and then we knew it was like riding a bike.
No matter what happens in the state of Albany, this weekend will be Firocamo's final dance as a wrestler.
Even if he wins, the people contradict lacrosse and one season of athletes have to shift gears. Anyway, Firocamo looks forward to his university future and the future of the Bulldog wrestling program.
“These guys could win it all,” he said of the rough team that has repeatedly made him a champion.
“It's not the size of a dog in a fight. It's the size of a dog's fight. That's my senior quote this year.”
