In recent years, the Skaneateles wrestling team had to take a back seat to those other Lakers from Cazenovia, at least when they met face-to-face.
But all of that changed Tuesday night, when Skaneateles used a string of eight consecutive victories, seven of them pins, to come from behind and knock off Cazenovia 49-30.
Already, Skaneateles had solid momentum passed upon its Dec. 7 sweep of the Rebel Duals at Altmar-Parish-Williamstown, but the meet against Cazenovia would provide a good test to see whether that momentum would last.
The visiting Lakers got the jump, winning in each of the four highest weight classes. Connor Gray, in the 182-pound opener, went to overtime, but Cazenovia’s John Nannery got a takedown in the extra period to prevail 6-4. Cooper Pitman battled at 285 pounds, but lost to Brad Lucas 9-4.
Not until it got to 99 pounds did Skaneateles get on the board, Christian Daley doing so with an 8-4 decision over Jacob Wells. Nevan Rourke (106 pounds) followed with a loss to Will Shephard, but that was the last blemish for the host Lakers before it took charge.
At 113 pounds, Joey Brillo began the streak, pinning Zack Maxwell in 2:42, and Max Collier (120 pounds) got close to a technical fall before dismissing Carter Biviano 13-1.
From there, it was all about falls. Matt Goetzmann, at 126 pounds, pinned Dominick King with 26 seconds left, while Josh Brillo (132 pounds) needed just 60 seconds to finish off Paul McLaughlin.
Maverick James joined in at 138 pounds as he pinned Cameron Hoke in 2:46. Then Andrew Newton (145 pounds) went to the final minute against Alex Nannery before gaining his fall with 48 seconds left.
Mike Goetzmann clinched the meet at 145 pounds with his 53-second pin over Sam Mabie, but Francis Lombardi (152 pounds) still followed up with a pin over Mike Marshall with 38 seconds left in the third period to complete the winning spurt.
