No matter where the Skaneateles wrestling team is standing, a highlight of the winter is its annual showdown with Marcellus.
And their encounter Thursday night did not prove any different. Rallying twice, the visiting Lakers didn’t seal matters until the penultimate bout as it fought to a 39-33 victory over the host Mustangs.
Since they started at 120 pounds, Marcellus got a 9-0 jump on Skaneateles, as Zach Ruggles turned back Max Collier 11-4 in the opener and Sam Rice (126 pounds) managed to pin Matt Goetzmann with 50 seconds left in their bout.
But Skaneateles countered with wins in the next four bouts, three of them close decisions. Josh Brillo, at 132 pounds, edged Tristan Duger 4-3, with Maverick Janes (145 pounds) pulling out a 4-1 decision over Dan Tierney.
At 152 pounds, Andrew Newton parlayed a single escape into defeating Nate Long 1-0. Amid this tension, Mike Goetzmann gave the Lakers the full six points at 138 pounds, pinning the Mustangs’ Mike Heron 32 seconds into the second period.
Trailing 15-9, the Mustangs tied it when Nate Lukins (160 pounds) pinned Lucas Sherman midway through the second period, and went in front 21-15 with a forfeit to Kevin Morrissey at 170 pounds.
Just as quickly, though, Skaneateles roared in front 33-21 due to two pins and a forfeit to Connor Gray at 220 pounds. At 182 pounds, Francis Lombardi needed just 62 seconds to finish off Chris Dunn, while Pat Greenfield won at 195 pounds with a pin over Cory Garvey in 1:42.
John Dunn, at 285 pounds, tried to start a Mustang comeback by stopping Cooper Pitman 5-2, after which Riley Donovan (99 pounds) got a third-period fall over J.W. Simmons.
Even with that, the Lakers still led 33-30, and it clinched the team victory when Nevan Rourke, at 106 pounds, pinned Alex Czerniak (106 pounds) in 3:44. Marcellus finished strong as Ben Hood won a tough 2-0 decision over 113-pound opponent Joey Brillo.
Skaneateles would go back to the road again this Thursday to take on Cato-Meridian and then, on Saturday, host its own dual meet, starting at 9:15 a.m. Cato is in that event, too, as are Auburn, Oneida and Seneca Falls.
