Bench press mania plays heavy in Wildcat country

Warwick - More than 85 students participated in Warwick Valley High School’s annual Bench Press Competition, sponsored by Warwick Football, the Purple Champions Club and Warwick Burger King at the school after classes on Feb. 22 Ten years ago in the first bench press competition, then-senior James Sciarra benched 225 pounds to win the best lift award and place first overall in the competition. Ten years later, James Sciarra is now Coach Sciarra and an integral part of the high school strength development program. Ten years later, 24 students benched more than 225 pounds, with senior Chris Zueger lifting 330 pounds to win the event. Students competed over three different challenges ,including most weight, best ratio by grade (bench press/body weight) and to meet a personal challenge by Coach Sirico to bench 120 percent of their body weight. Warwick Recreation sponsored the medals for the top ratio winners by grade. Gregory Sirico is the football coach at Warwick Valley High School. Top 12 lifts Name, grade Bench Chris Zueger, 12 330 Vincent Isernia, 12 315 Tom Pregiato, 12 285 Chris Kearns, 12 275 David Keene, 10 270 Ryan Barrett, 10 270 Bruce Mason, 11 255 Chris Meinhardt, 11 255 Shaun Barrett, 12 255 Eric Bonelli, 12 255 Matt Stranski, 11 255 Austin Leech, 12 250 Andrew Saccone, 12 250 Michael Banker, 12 250 Ratio Winners by Grade Seniors Name Bench Weight Ratio Tom Pregiato 285 164 1.738 Chris Kearns 275 162 1.698 Chris Zueger 330 195 1.692 Dan Marrione 245 158 1.551 Juniors Bruce Mason 255 179 1.425 Mike Curry 205 144 1.424 Chris Meinhardt 255 184 1.386 Brent Crayton 225 165 1.364 Sophomores David Keene 270 185 1.459 Ryan Barrett 270 188 1.436 Billy Jackson 180 139 1.295 Kyle Woodhall 215 180 1.194 Freshman Denis Barden 200 134 1.493 Andrew Caban 140 124 1.129 Dan Lapedis 110 98 1.122 Tyler Capellan 150 134 1.119 James Morgan 135 123 1.098