Spencerport stakes claim as U-E champ
James Johnson . Staff writer . January 4, 2009
www.rochesterdandc.com


Spencerport probably removed any doubt on Saturday that it's again among the top wrestling teams in the state.

Maybe the Rangers will finish the season on top of the New York State Sportswriters Association Large School rankings again after winning the Union-Endicott Wrestling Duals in Endicott, just outside of Binghamton.

Spencerport defeated third-ranked Monroe-Woodbury of Section IX in the championship match, 40-16. The Rangers (11-0) have won 51 consecutive duals in the state after also defeating Wantagh of Section VIII, 37-20, and Waverly of Section IV, 43-18, following a first-round bye at Union-Endicott.

"When you have an almost a new team you never really assume about what their production is going to be," Spencerport coach Bill Jacoutot said. "They showed all of our preparation in the summer paid off.

"They were poised out there. They took advantage of opportunities to pin their opponents. They basically kept their opponents on their heels."

Fairport made it two SectionV teams among the top three when it clinched a third-place finish after a 38-25 win over Waverly. The Red Raiders finished 3-1 at the meet after also earning wins over Johnson City-IV, Phoenix-III, the state's top-ranked small school, and a loss to Monroe-Woodbury during the semifinal round.

"Any team that wants a shot at the state title needs to go through U-E," Fairport coach Mike Kohl said. "That's why we took our shot."

Monroe-Woodbury ended Fairport's run to the final, 30-24.

"We didn't wrestle our best but we were right there," Kohl said. "Things could have gone either way in some of the matches. We were a seventh seed. Taking third is not too shabby."

Spencerport junior Paul Morabito may have climbed into the group of Section V's top middleweights.

Morabito defeated Wantagh's Paul Liguori, a two-time state champion, 1-0, at 145. Morabito earned his escape early in the second period, then rode out Liguori during the final two minutes. Morabito went on to handle Waverly's Brian Sewalt 7-1 and pinned Monroe-Woodbury's John Maloney in 1 minute 48 seconds.

"(Paul) is quite a man," Jacoutot said. "I've seen him beat a New Jersey state champion. He has a history of this. He just hasn't gotten to the state championship podium. This year, it's going to happen, barring unforeseen illness or injury, but I don't think those things are going to happen."

Spencerport heavyweights Nick Baxter, Chris Nocci and Paul Glover, plus 103-pounder Scott Barrett, pinned their opponents during the first four bouts against Waverly to send Spencerport to its win over the No. 2 state-ranked small school.

"We have some battles coming up," Jacoutot said. "What we want to guard against is the kids becoming complacent."

One of the most anticipated matches for Spencerport is a dual at Fairport on Jan. 14. The Rangers defeated Fairport last year. Spencerport and Fairport have been No. 1 and No. 2 in the Democrat and Chronicle's Large Schools Coaches Poll all season.

"Spencerport graduated like eight kids from last year's lineup," Section V coordinator Chris Bourne said. "They put new kids in and the beat goes on. "They did a great job. So did Fairport."