Now it’s official — the Cazenovia wrestling team, close to extinction just a few short years ago, now sit as the OHSL Liberty division champions.
The final touch on the Lakers’ perfect 5-0 run within the league was offered last Wednesday night, when it went to Solvay/Westhill and had little trouble gaining a 54-13 victory over the Bearcats.
Every match from 103 to 125 pounds went in Cazenovia’s favor. Alex Petroff, moved up to 119 pounds, needed 1:08 to pin Tyler Avery, while Eric Wells (125 pounds) needed a bit longer — 1:25, to be exact — to get his pin over Mike Savastano.
In a close 103-pound match, Aaron Benedict held off Mitchell Anthony 4-3, just before Dylan Holgate, at 112 pounds, claimed a forfeit. Three other Lakers — Phil Kugler (152 pounds), Lee Namy (160 pounds) and A.J. Berry (215 pounds) — also took forfeits.
Cazenovia had two other pins. Sam Taylor, at 145 pounds, had the fastest pin of the night, taking just 1:02 to finish off Kyle Hnatko. Adam Lockwood (135 pounds) pinned Peter Buczakowski in 3:34, while Chris Popluhar (189 pounds) earned a tough 7-4 victory over Tom Bradley.
This followed the Lakers’ own dual meet on Jan. 21, when Sandy Creek took team honors and Petroff shared Most Outstanding Wrestler honors with Josh Safran, from Fayetteville-Manlius.
