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Spencerport wrestlers shine at Teike/Bernabi Tournament
James Johnson . Staff writer . December 30, 2010
www.rochesterdandc.com
SPENCERPORT — There were plenty of skilled wrestlers from tough teams in the Teike/Bernabi Tournament. That's just the way that Spencerport, the host team, likes it.
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| Spencerport's Steve Maier finishes off a pin on Kiel Dyer of Cicero-North Syracuse in the 145-pound final. (KRIS J. MURANTE staff photographer) |
When you aim for a No. 1 state ranking like the Rangers do, walkovers and pushovers won't help you climb that high.
"We knew it was a tough tournament, but we were prepared for it," Spencerport junior 145-pounder Steve Maier said. "We have one of the toughest practice rooms in New York state.
"No one works as hard as we do, so we're good."
The Rangers looked good Wednesday night as they reclaimed the team title of their tournament with a point total of 227.5, 21 more than 2009 champion Shenendehowa.
Peru and Palmyra-Macedon, the No. 1 ranked small school (Division II) team in the state, were third and fourth, ahead of Rush-Henrietta.
Maier, 96-pounder Jon Haas and Roy Daniels at 152 added victories in their weight class finals to Spencerport's total. Seven of the Rangers reached finals during the third tournament that Spencerport has taken this season.
"When you look at how we match up today against these teams I think we have a good team," Spencerport coach Tony D'Ambra said. "Now is the first time you see us at full strength."
The Rangers, 4-0 in duals and ranked fifth among Division I teams in the state, beat out the No. 1 Shenendehowa and Peru, the No. 7 Division II team, in addition to Palmyra-Macedon.
Those are good signs for the Rangers as they head into a dual match against Brockport on Wednesday and the U-E Duals just outside of Binghamton Jan. 8-9.
"U-E is the one thing we look forward to," Maier said. "You win that and you are ranked No. 1 in the state.
"Your season is all set."
Palmyra-Macedon owns a lofty ranking and is not yet at full strength.
Bill Hadsell, the team's coach, said that three wrestlers could return to the lineup in time for the Red Raiders' appearance at the New Rochelle Tournament on Jan. 8.
Owen and Craig Scott, twin brothers who won Division II state titles last season at Palmyra-Macedon, are in the lineup.
The Cornell University recruits won their weight divisions, Craig at 171 and Owen at 160.
"We didn't have a good tournament, but overall we've been looking good," Owen Scott (17-0 record) said. "We've wrestled pretty well and we are pretty deep.
"I didn't get my offense on my feet going, but the last 30 seconds I wrestled pretty well. I've been around the sport so long you just kind of get a feel."
Rush-Henrietta's Ryan Reed won the 135-pound final 4-1 over LaSalle Institute's Jon Clemente.
Reed showed good composure during the match as he fended off a single-leg takedown attempt despite Clemente's tactic of switching his target. Two attempts by Clemente to snatch Reed over his shoulders while on the mat were foiled.
JAMESJ@DemocratandChronicle.com |
