A full week removed from a landmark Dec. 7 victory at Phoenix, the Cazenovia wrestling team tried to knock off another long-established power.
The Lakers hosted Mexico last Thursday night at Buckley Gym, and had plenty of bright moments, yet could not catch up to the Tigers, who beat Cazenovia 42-30.
They started at 113 pounds, where Cazenovia’s Luca Ferreira pinned George Smith late in the second period. Four Mexico victories followed, including two close battles that proved important to the final outcome.
At 126 pounds, Jacob Wells limited Mexico’s Jared Gates to a single escape, but it was enough for a 1-0 decision. It was just as close at 132 pounds, where Matt McLaughlin took a 4-3 loss to Austin Reed.
Then Cazenovia surged into a 24-18 lead with three straight pins. Patrick Nourse, at 145 pounds, pinned Kayleb Merrit just before the first period ended, with Kevin Valentine (152 pounds) finishing off Skylar Raymond in 72 seconds and Sam Deleon (160 pounds) pinning Don Littlebrant midway through the second period.
Now the Tigers answered with back-to-back pins of its own, moving back in front 30-24, and then prevailed in two more close decisions as the Lakers’ John Frega (195 pounds) fell 9-7 to Harley Wakeman and Evan Duskee, at 220 pounds, took a 5-3 loss to Jacob O’Reilly.
Even when Carter Polhamus (285 pounds) pinned Blake Wise in 2:44, Cazenovia needed a 99-pound pin to even the points, with Mexico holding the decisive criterium point. Shaun Zampetti lost to the Tigers’ Joey Reed in a first-period fall.
Cazenovia has road matches at Cicero-North Syracuse and Marcellus this week before the holiday break.
