With local bragging rights at stake, the Cazenovia wrestling team got the best of Chittenango.
The two sides met Tuesday night at Buckley Gym, and because it had a representative in each of the lowest weight classes, the Lakers were able to start a win streak that spanned nine bouts and all but decided matters in a 49-36 victory over the Bears.
Since they started at 220 pounds, Cazenovia could afford to forfeit those first two bouts to Chittenango’s Antonio Cutrie and Alex Van Patten at 285 pounds. Even a 99-pound bout where the Bears’ Peyton Denney pinned Shaun Zampetti in 1:21 didn’t faze the hosts.
That was because the 18-0 deficit would start to wilt away at 106 pounds, where Stanley Angus pinned Blayde DeBlieux early in the second period, and by the time both sides had a wrestler again, the Lakers had a 30-18 lead.
Jacob Wells (113 pounds), Ryan Frost (120 pounds), Joe McLaughlin (126 pounds) and Will Shephard (132 pounds) didn’t even need to take to the mat, their forfeits amounting to 24 straight points.
Two more pins helped add to the Lakers’ margin. Will Khalil, wrestling at 138 pounds, finished off Alex Teeter late in the second period, while Matt McLaughlin (145 pounds) gained his pin over Devin Myers just one second before the bout ended.
Moving to 152 pounds, Patrick Nourse pulled away from Barrett Hoyt and claimed a 12-2 decision, with John Frega (160 pounds) finding things closer, but still getting an 8-3 victory over James Moore.
Chittenango would finish strong, though, as Robert Shepard, at 170 pounds, needed just 68 seconds to pin Austin Sherman and Connor Fredericks (182 pounds) required four more seconds than Shepard, but got his fall over Chris Beare in 72 seconds. Cory Fredericks claimed a forfeit at 195 pounds.
After each side sends JV wrestlers to Cicero-North Syracuse’s Blindman’s Tournament on Saturday, the Lakers and Bears would stay busy next week, Cazenovia going to Otselic Valley before the Dec. 17 Sara B. Allen Duals at Groton and Chittenango facing APW/Pulaski prior to a Dec. 17 trip to Central Square for the Brett Dixon Memorial Duals.
