Having improved a lot late this season, the Skaneateles wrestling team tested itself against all the top wrestlers in its league during Saturday’s Onondaga High School League Liberty/Patriot Tournament at Port Byron.
Out of seven teams in the Liberty division, the Lakers finished third, a strong showing as only Cazenovia and Hannibal fared better.
Kevin Pembridge gave Skaneateles a victory in 125 pounds. He pinned Cato-Meridian’s Alex Vargason at the end of the first period, then beat Nathan Smart (Onondaga) 5-2 in the semifinal round before shutting out Preston Bishop (Jordan-Elbridge) 3-0 in the championship round.
Jacob Carvalho came within inches of the 140-pound title. He beat J-E’s Mitch Cooper 7-1 and edged Port Byron’s Christian Cobb 4-3 to reach the title match, and took Cato’s Allen Holdridge to overtime before absorbing a 6-5 defeat.
On his way to the 152-pound final. Chad Gray got injured enough that he had to forfeit to Cazenovia’s Noah Shephard, while Chris Wise reached the 160-pound title match before Cato’s Nick Lalone pinned him in the third period.
Jacob Valentino, relegated to the consolation bracket at 145 pounds, earned third place when he beat Cato’s Dave Czajkowski 3-2.
F0ur days earlier, the Lakers earned yet another meet win at home, taking out the Onondaga Tigers by a score of 44-21.
Aside from R.J. Beck’s forfeit at 112 pounds, each of the Skaneateles points came in seven consecutive matches from 130 to 171 pounds.
Nick Sherman, at 160, had the fastest pin, taking 1:28 to finish off Max Konstantindi. Wise (171) earned his pin over Joe Cummings in 3:17, two fewer seconds than what Ryan Dick (135) required for his pin over Josh Berube.
Pembridge dominated at 130, shutting out Nathan Smart as Valentino (145) nearly got to a technical fall, but settled for a 19-6 win over Zak Field. Both Carvalho (140) and Gray (152) claimed forfeits.
Skaneateles will try to claim some high finishes during this Saturday’s Section III Class B championship meet at South Jefferson.
