Coming out on top in this neighborhood feud, the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill wrestling team went to Oneida last Wednesday night and dominated this Tri-Valley League contest, winning by the score of 54-12.
They started at 112 pounds, where the Indians had one of its few proud moments of the night as Jeff Clark pinned Steven Weaver 33 seconds into the third period.
Dan Walts answered at 119 pounds for the Red Devils, taking just 26 seconds to pin Joe Casella. After a forfeit to John Bougard (125 pounds), Oneida got one more title when Tyler Button (130 pounds) shut out Matt Wilczak 7-0.
From there, though, VVS dominated, claiming six consecutive forfeits after Oneida’s Matt Harp (145 pounds) beat Tim Rathbun 6-3.
Staying in control, Ryan Wile, at 135 pounds, beat Steve Ellsworth 11-5, right before Chris Beal (140 pounds) earned a 10-3 win over Danny Collins. Steve Wandell, Lucas Wonderley, Pat Bennett, Ben Chmura, Ryan Wendt and Dylan Kavanagh all claimed forfeits.
Without any rest, the Red Devils had to go face Ilion Thursday night and, thanks to a strong start, was able to beat the Golden Bombers 38-25.
To take charge, VVS won five of the first six matches. Rathbun opened at 145 pounds and held off Jared Hoffman 5-2, with Wandell picking up a third-period technical fall over Kyle Earl and Bennett (160 pounds) pinning Jon Treen midway through the third period.
Wonderley, at 172 pounds, made it four in a row as he pinned Kyle Stewart in the final seconds of the second period. Wendt won at 215 pounds, fighting past John Eysaman 6-3.
Even though Ilion would fare better in the lighter weight classes, VVS would still have great moments, none better than Walts, at 112 pounds, pinning Justin Bennett in just 27 seconds. Wilczak beat Paul Greenfield 8-5 and Beal finished the night with some style as he pinned Shea Murphy in 1:37.
VVS will compete Thursday in the Oxford Dual Meet, while Oneida is off until the Jan. 5 Little Falls Invitational.
