Now the Skaneateles wrestling team is in proud possession of the Laker Bell — and can thank Nathan Hunt for securing it.
With the outcome of last Wednesday’s meet against Cazenovia in doubt, Hunt stepped in and decided it with a bravura performance that gave his side a 37-31 victory.
By winning, Skaneateles stayed unbeaten in the OHSL Liberty division and took over first place from Cazenovia.
Skaneateles trailed 31-25 with two matches to go, and were fortunate that Cazenovia did not have anyone to face Jacob Carvalho at 135 pounds, leading to a forfeit.
So it came down to Hunt, the nephew of three-time state champion Dan Hunt (he earned his titles at West Genesee in the 1970s), facing Cazenovia’s Adam Lockwood in the 140-pound match.
Just 27 seconds into the second period, Hunt put Lockwood’s shoulders on the mat for the six-point pin, and the Laker Bell was staying at home.
Long before that, the western Lakers had started by winning the first two matches. Thane Green (145 pounds) took the opener, 12-5, over Philip Kugler, while Kyle Sears (152 pounds) routed Joe Szlamczynski 11-2.
The eastern Lakers responded by taking six of the next seven matches in the highest weight classes. Only George Dobrovsky, at 189 pounds, broke that string, earning a pin over Clancy King in 2:32.
To make its comeback, Skaneateles had to win four of the remaining five matches. Chad Gray, at 112 pounds, began the rally by pinning Ted Kugler in 1:02 as Billy Wellington (125 pounds) took 1:30 to pin Dylan Holgate.
Jake Valentino (130 pounds) could not keep it up, falling to Alex Petroff before Carvalho and Hunt pulled it out.
