CAMILLUS – Whether by themselves or combined with other schools, area high school wrestling teams have increased their ambitions with the success found at both the large-school and small-school levels.
The combination route is how Marcellus and Jordan-Elbridge rose to prominence in recent years, while West Genesee remains by itself – and still quite effective.
How much so was evident in Wednesday’s season opener in Camillus where the Wildcats, against a historically powerful program in Fulton, was able to earn a 39-35 victory over the Red Dragons.
A key bout was the 124-pound opener. Max Alexander went six tough minutes against Fulton’s Joe Wardhaugh, but was able to carve out a 3-2 decision for three points that made a big difference later on.
Austin Fesinger, who went 31-9 a season ago, opened here by pinning Ian Clark in 45 seconds, right before Logan Willis, fresh off a 40-6 campaign, Section III title and state meet appearance in 2024, got his pin over Don Kovalchik late in the second period.
Beginning a run of three consecutive pins at 170 pounds, Maxx Fesinger finished off Carter Allen in 48 seconds, with Jack Wade (190 pounds) pinning Michael Buchanan early in the third period and Omar Almlaiti (215 pounds) getting a 52-second pin over James Decare.
Trailing 33-23, Fulton had to win the remaining three bouts and got pins in two of them, but at 108 pounds Cole Willis clinched the Wildcats’ win when he pinned Mac Morey early in the second period.
