Four consecutive victories to open the night would push the Cazenovia wrestling team in front of last Wednesday’s meet against Otselic Valley, and it would stay there as it defeated the Vikings 54-30.
They got going at 152 pounds, where Patrick Nourse pinned Creed Ossont 39 seconds into the second period. Then, in the closest of the early bouts, John Frega, wrestling at 170 pounds, claimed a 4-3 decision over Titus Reichard.
From there, Austin Sherman arrived at 170 pounds and took just 15 seconds to pin Otselic’s Jolanda Ponce, after which Chris Beare got his turn at 182 pounds and pinned Joe Roodenburg in 74 seconds.
Each of the next five bouts was forfeited – three to Otselic, two to Cazenovia as Shaun Zampetti (99 pounds) and Stanley Angus (106 pounds) won without having to take to the mat. When things resumed, Jacob Wells, at 113 pounds, pinned Gordon Marshall late in the second period.
The Lakers then closed as fast as it started, having Will Shephard get a 15-0 technical fall over 132-pound opponent Jonah VanVoorhis before Matt McLaughlin (138 pounds) pinned Garrett Forrest in 55 seconds and Will Khalil closed at 145 pounds with a 16-2 romp over James Ossont.
It proved a successful follow-up to the Lakers’ 49-36 win over Chittenango a week earlier, and the Bears weren’t able to take to the mat last week since Thursday’s trip to APW/Pulaski got snowed out.
And Cazenovia would win some more Saturday during the Sara B. Allen Duals at Groton, sweeping to a 3-0 mark, including wins over host Groton (45-30) and Lansing, plus a close 40-39 decision over Marathon.
Against Marathon, the Lakers had to build a big lead through the first 10 bouts since it had to forfeit three times in the highest weight classes. Shephard, Khalil and Beare each earned pins, with Matt McLaughlin beating Lucas Gardner 9-2. Wells, Zampetti and Joe McLaughlin (126 pounds) each took forfeits.
Chittenango, meanwhile, went 0-4 in the Brett Dixon Memorial Duals at Central Square, though all the matches were close.
The Bears fell 42-24 to Oneida, and that was the most lopsided result following defeats to East Syracuse Minoa (48-42), APW/Pulaski (43-32) and Rome Free Academy (41-33). Connor Fredericks, at 182, was named his team’s Most Outstanding Wrestler by going 4-0 with three pins and a forfeit.
Staying busy before the holiday break, Chittenango goes to Phoenix Wednesday and hosts Sherburne-Earlville Friday, while Cazenovia, on those same days, is home to take on APW/Pulaski and Cicero-North Syracuse.