It was all on Connor Fredericks as the final bout of the Chittenango wrestling team’s 2014-15 season opener last Thursday night against Syracuse’s Institute of Technology Central came to a dramatic conclusion.
Competing at 160 pounds, Fredericks squared off with the Eagles’ Tyler Carbonaro with his team trailing by four points.
Nothing less than a five-point technical fall was required, since a decision would leave the Bears one point short and a majority decision would tie it, but ITC held the criterium point since it had won more matches.
Fredericks controlled the match, but still needed a pin. And he got it, putting Carbonaro’s shoulders on the mat with 36 seconds left to get the six points and give Chittenango a dramatic 35-33 victory.
Right away, the Bears trailed, dropping the first two bouts, including Brian Coe (170 pounds) losing a 10-5 decision to Naujalic Walker. But Chittenango bounced back with Antonio Cutrie’s pin of Esrayel Flowers in 4:43, plus forfeits to Justin Cox (220 pounds) and Mason Benedict (99 pounds).
Then, starting at 120 pounds, ITC won three in a row, capped by Keshon Howard (132 pounds) fighting off Chittenango’s Alex Miller 5-3.
Trailing 27-18, Chittenango briefly went in front when Matt Bixby (138 pounds) earned a 15-0 technical fall over Ben Tinelli and Wyatt Blanding, at 145 pounds, pinned Deondre Paul in 2:20.
Will Young’s defeat to Damian Mesa at 152 pounds meant that Fredericks had to get the pin – which he did, giving the Bears plenty of momentum heading into its own Dual Meet on Saturday.
Against five different opponents, Chittenango went 3-2, defeating Homer 43-27, edging Whitney Point 43-34 and handling Central Valley Academy’s B squad 51-18. But against the Thunder’s A squad, who won the dual meet, the Bears lost, 65-19, and a 52-24 defeat to Marcellus meant a third-place finish. Fredericks was named Chittenango’s Most Outstanding Wrestler for the dual meet.
Chittenango stays home on Thursday night to face Skaneateles before heading to the Herkimer Invitational next Saturday, where teams like Phoenix, Liverpool and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill headline a strong field.