Wrestlers try their craft in sand of Ontario Beach Park
National event at Ontario Beach Park draws strong field of grapplers and fans
NRUSSO@DemocratandChronicle.com
www.rochesterdandc.com

Close to the edge of Lake Ontario, two children wrestled over a bucket of sand for the right to dump its contents atop the tower they were constructing.

Nearby, in roped-off circles, the stakes were a little higher.

Dozens of competitors, including local athletes and national stars, competed for individual titles at the U.S. Beach National Championships and World Team Trials at Ontario Beach Park's Sports and Music Festival Saturday.

Among them was Carlos Dolmo, 32, of the Bronx, who defeated Mike Carroll to claim the national championship in the 302-pound weight class.

"It came down to the last second because he was bigger than I was and the traction slowed us down," said Dolmo, a two-time All-American at SUNY Oswego.

The championships, held for the second time in Rochester, were hosted by the Penfield-based Team Titan Worldwide Wrestling Club. It was the second year in a row that Dolmo claimed a national title. He won the 321-pound class last year on his way to a bronze medal at the worlds in Turkey.

The top three in each of the senior divisions (ages 20 and up) earned the right to compete in today's World Team Trials, which determine the team that represents the United States at the World Championships in Durres, Albania, Sept. 18-20.

The team trials were an opportunity for vindication for Dolmo, who may have been the best beach wrestler in the world last year but didn't get a chance to prove it due to controversial circumstances.

Dolmo was originally awarded a win in his semifinal match at worlds last fall, giving him an opportunity to compete for the gold. However, following a protest of the result, the match was sent back to the ring, and his opponent used the second opportunity to rally for a win. Dolmo could only watch as that competitor went on to claim the gold medal — but he vows this year will be different.

"My aim is to win the gold and prove I could have been the true winner last year," he said.

Beach wrestling was sanctioned as an official sport in 2005 and is quickly growing in popularity.

"The turnout is definitely getting bigger," said Dolmo, . "Every year, there are more wrestlers and more fans from the community coming out."

Local wrestlers turned out to try their luck in the other divisions, including a number of Section V athletes. Enzo Zagari, a junior at Spencerport, competed in the junior (19 and under) division, along with several of his teammates. Zagari won the 265-pound weight class with a defeat of Team Titan's Andrew Miran.

"This is a fun event," he said. "It's more laid-back than during the season."

Zagari said that the experience of competing in the sand and under the sun was unique.

"It's a nice day out," he said. "But it was kind of weird in the sand. I just went out and tried to be relaxed."

The Festival included other events on the beach and in the water. Just off the shore, the Toyota WaterJam, a stop on the national jet ski tour sponsored by the American Power Boaters Association, took place. A series of races awarded points that will help determine national champions at season's end.

The Corona Extra Volleyball Series allowed locals the chance to register teams for the bracket-style beach tournament and compete for cash prizes.