CENTRAL NEW YORK – One long-standing winter tradition in Baldwinsville sports was having the wrestling Bees take on its traditional rivals from Fulton in a large setting.
Aftter not taking place in 2020-21 due to COVID-19, the rivalry was born again on Dec. 17 at the Fulton War Memorial, and while the Bees had some success, it still lost 48-19 to the Red Raiders.
Fulton won the first two bouts before Fred Pickard, at 215 pounds, put B’ville on the board when he pinned Kaden Reynells midway through the second period.
Then the Red Raiders got six wins in the next seven bouts, the lone Bees interruption from Aidan Cali at 118 pounds as he won 10-2 over Fred Pagan.
B’ville would get two more wins by night’s end, Brandon Levin (145 pounds) getting a 54-second pin over Bailey Grubb before Aaron Fredenburg, in the 160-pound finale, shut out Ashton Gates 4-0.
Back home last Wednesday to face Rome Free Academy, the Bees had a far better time of it, easily earning a 47-12 victory over the short-handed Black Knights.
Just five bouts were contested, with three others not taking place and RFA having to forfeit to Cali, Max Naples (152 pounds), Korben Haney (285 pounds), Cameron McMonagle (102 pounds) and Collin Zeman (118 pounds).
Pickard pinned Nyzijhir Ikema in 16 seconds after Judson Ferris, at 172 pounds, got a 35-second pin over Tyler Morgia. Fredenburg had an 18-3 technical fall over Levi Linder.
Rest and practice during the holiday break will be followed by B’ville taking on Fayetteville-Manlius Jan. 5 and then going to the Cazenovia Invitational three days later.
