Teike/Bernabi wrestling tournament results
James Johnson . Staff writer . December 28, 2013
www.rochesterdandc.com

Spencerport's Collin Pittman, top, wrestles against Clarence's Travis Griner in the finals of the 182-pound weight class during the 49th Annual Teike/Bernabi Invitational Tournament held at Spencerport High School Saturday. Pittman pinned Griner in the second period for the win.

ADRIAN KRAUS staff photographer

No doubt, things don’t always go a wrestler’s way, but Gates Chili sophomore Derek St. James is having a good time these days.

“I’ve always wanted to be undeafeated and keep going,’’ St. James said.

St. James is still undefeated, 18-0, after he pinned Clarence sophomore Dylan Arena on Saturday during the second period of the 99-pound final at Spencerport’s Teike-Bernabi Tournament.

His victory over the now 19-2 Arena, a finalist at the 2012 Teike-Bernabi Tournament, is a nice entry for the Gates Chili lightweight’s record. So is the Monroe County Championship he won.

The additional boost in confidence are not all that bad either. St. James won one tournament last season, the Bradshaw in Canandaigua.

“It’s great to finally win (the tournament in Spencerport),’’ St. James said. “I’ve been watching for so many years, I’ve always wanted to be in the finals.’’

Before St. James walked out of the Spencerport gymansium, he was presented the plaque for the tournament’s most outstanding lightweight wrestler.

“It feels amazing to finally win it,’’ St. James said about the tournament. “I didn’t expect to win this. I think I’ll do better at other tournaments.’’

Gates Chili coach Mike Serper, who said he sees improvement in St. James’ mat management, expects just that.

“He doesn’t panic,’’ Serper said. “His father deserves a lot of credit, he really puts the time in with him.

“They make the sacrifices with him all year.’’

It’s been two years since Pittsford’s Aleksei Cartagena, a senior at Sutherland, transferred from East High in Rochester. Cartagena followed up a one-point loss in the 106 Monroe County tournament final with a 5-1 win over Iroquois freshman Connor Day at Spencerport.

“For me to win this tournament, it felt pretty good,’’ Cartagena said. “There was a lot more competition for me to go through, people from Section VI (Buffalo region) and Section IV (Binghamton region).

“It gives me an opportunity to see competition around New York state.’’

Spencerport senior Collin Pittman, a runner-up in his team’s tournament last season, pinned Clarence 182-pounder Travis Griner at 3:35. Pittman was the top finisher for Spencerport, which finished fifth in the team scoring.

Rush-Henrietta sophomore Justin Klein won the 132 division, and helped the Royal Comets to a sixth-place finish.

JAMESJ@DemocratandChronicle.com