Rangers finally find gold, in Barnard
Democrat and Chronicle, ByJeff DiVeronica

(January 18, 1998) From the Section V wresting believe-it-or-not department: Heading into last night's finals of the Clayton Barnard Memorial Tournament in Hilton, no Spencerport wrestler had won an individual title this season.

In his 16 years as coach, Bill Jacoutot couldn't recall such a drought this deep into winter.

This is Spencerport, remember Western New York's perennial power, Section V's nine-time defending champion- the team some fans love to hate because the Rangers are always so good.

"In fairness to our kids, they've wrestled some good competition," Jacoutot said grinning.

The Rangers left Hilton last night with two points proven: They had three wrestlers crowned champions and avenged a 21-point loss on Dec. 30 in the Teike/Bernabi- Spencerport's own event no less- to Section VI's Niagra-Wheatfield.

The No. 4 Rangers, who easily outdistanced N-W 232-167, should move past the No.3 Falcons in the next state rankings. They had six finalists to N-W's four (two champions). Spencerport also topped N-W in the Jamestown Tournament.

The Hilton Tournament is named after the former Cadet wrestler Clayton Barnard, who died of Leukemia in 1978 at the age of 24.

Spencerport senior Jason Brongo (140 pounds), Geneva freshman Dave Hadden (119), and N-W's Rashad Evans (171), named the most outstanding wrestler, were the only repeat champions from last year.

"We wanted to come out and show everyone we are better than them," said Brongo, who ran his record to 20-4 by downing Rush Henrietta's Geoff Selleck, 3-0.

Brongo, like teammate Gary Borrelli, had been runner-up in Spencerport's three other tournaments. Though the Rangers had won no individual titles, they were wrestling well as evidence by team by team triumphs at Cicero-North Syracuse and second place finishes at Jamestown and Teike/Bernabi.

"We came into this thing knowing we'd beat Wheatfield. We had worked so hard to beat them," said Borelli, a junior who manhandled McQuaid's Charlie Wu, 18-5 at 112. "Its a great victory this time for us."

Borelli, a two-time Monroe County and Class A Champion, ripped through his competition, winning by pins in 35 seconds, 58 seconds, and 1:58 before the finals.

The Rangers started off on the wrong foot when sophomore Shawn Hibbs was edged by McQuaid junior Jason Alvarez, 3-2, at 103.

They split two previous matches and Alvarez (11-1) found himself trailing 2-1 heading into the final period. But he took down Hibbs with a minute left for the victory.

"I felt good the whole day." said Alvarez (11-1). " I was ready."

Spencerport sophomore Mike Wojtowicz 24-3), wrestling in his first tournament final, edged Hilton senior Jeff Barnhart 3-2 at 125. "Wojo" beat Barnhart 3-1 and 9-3 earlier this season.

"They're very evenly matched kids," Hilton coach Chuck Partridge said of the stocky pair. "They're very similar physically."

Spencerport senior Tom Plucknette dropped a 7-5 decision to Brian Hanselman of Sweet Home (Sec. VI) at 160 and senior Greg Frisch was pinned by N-W's Clayton Smith in 1:30 at 275.