Even as Anthony Finocchiaro’s credentials as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the Baldwinsville program grows, he still has a lot left to achieve.
That became apparent when Finocchiaro, a sophomore, made his way to Albany’s Times Union Center for the third time in his career to compete in the state Division I championship meet.
As the Section III champion at 125 pounds, Finocchiaro had high expectations – and reinforced them in Friday’s opening round against Valley Central’s Nic Smith.
Finocchiaro used two takedowns, a reversal and a escape to get the points he needed, and Smith never could answer, leading to a 7-0 shutout.
Looking to continue that momentum against Mahopac’s Justis Flamio in the quarterfinals, Finocchiaro instead found himself trailing all the way, only managing one escape during an 8-1 defeat that ended his state title hopes.
Moved into the consolation bracket, Finocchiaro would only last one match, falling to Sachem North’s Ryan Gerondell in a 4-3 decision. He finished with a record of 40-4, and still has two more seasons left to grab that elusive state crown.
