At just the proper time, the Skaneateles wrestling team found its top form, culminating with a fourth-place finish at last Saturday’s Onondaga High School League Liberty/Patriot division championship meet at Solvay.
With a total of 149 points, the Lakers beat most of the 15-team field. Hannibal won with 214 points as Cato-Meridian (170 points) edged Cazenovia (168.5 points) for the runner-up spot.
Jacob Carvalho, at 140 pounds, and Nathan Hunt, at 145 pounds, both won in their respective weight classes.
Carvalho had a pin and a decision on his way to a close final against Joe Lewis (Hannibal), and with every point precious, Carvalho beat Louis 4-3 to finish in front.
Meanwhile, Hunt twice earned pins, each in less than a minute, on his way to a title match against Dan Cossitt (Cazenovia) where the domination continued. Hunt pinned Cossitt at the end of the first period.
Jacob Valentino made his way to the 130-pound final before taking a 6-1 defeat to Solvay’s Aaron Benedict, while Chad Gray, in the 135-pound title match, got disqualified against Homer’s Saxon Sprouse.
Jimmy Carro earned a victory in the 160-pound consolation bracket, taking third place when he pinned Justin Stellmack (Onondaga) in 1:43. Both Kyle Sears (152 pounds) and Chris Wise (171 pounds) had fourth-place finishes.
On Saturday, the Lakers are going to South Jefferson to compete in the Section III Class B championship meet.