Trying to build upon a vast winning tradition, the Canastota wrestling team is off to a solid start in the 2008-09 season.
The Raiders’ season had begun Dec. 6, when it finished second to Fulton at the Sandy Creek Dual Meet.
In order, the Raiders beat Holley 38-27, Lowville 44-25 and the host Comets in a tight 33-30 match. Schuyler Jayson (140 pounds), Zach Zupan (160 pounds), Fred Sherman (171 pounds) and John Carver (189 pounds) all went 3-0 on the day, while Jake Popple, Jeremy Brodfuehrer and Tyler Sirota picked up two wins apiece.
From there, Canastota moved on to its first head-to-head meet last Tuesday night, at Ilion, and earned a 42-23 victory over the Golden Bombers.
Following an opening defeat, Popple got the Raiders moving when, at 130 pounds, he pinned Kyle Salvagni at the end of the second period. Sirota (135 pounds) then finished off Lester Tucker in 2:49 and Jayson used that exact same amount of time to pin Alex Joy.
At 152 pounds, Jeremy Brodfuehrer began a string of five straight Canastota wins when he pinned Shea Murphy in 3:28. Sherman, back at 160 pounds, pinned Casey Seaton in 1:39 as Zupan, who moved up to 171, got his pin over Josh Appley in 1:37.
Though he didn’t get a pin, Carver still earned a 9-3 decision over Jon Treen, while Sam Stagnitti stepped up at 215 pounds, beating Zach Smith 13-5.
Canastota wrestles again Saturday at the Duanesburg Invitational.
