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| Edgemont’s Jack McCormack is working up on the legs of Nanuet’s Jazz Saraguro ?in the 145-pound match. McCormack won the match, 7-0. Photo Credit: Tony Pinciaro |
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| Edgemont’s Peter Berman (blue singlet) looks to assert his command against Nanuet’s John Spiegel in the 138-pound bout. Berman won the match, but Nanuet beat Edgemont, 49-32, to win the Section 1 Division II Dual-Meet title. Photo Credit: Tony Pinciaro |
From The Daily Scarsdale.
SCARSDALE, N.Y. — Going into the Section 1 Division II Dual-Meet Wrestling Championship against second-seeded Nanuet without four starters was not what top-seeded Edgemont envisioned.
The Panthers were minus Trey and Tyler Aslanian, Sky Korek and Jason Worobow because of sickness or injuries. Add in the two weight classes — 195 and 285 pounds — that the Panthers were forfeiting, and the host found itself in a difficult situation.
Edgemont opened strong, but Nanuet overcame the early deficit and went on to post a 49-32 win, Monday.
Edgemont coach Pete Jacobson did not make excuses, refusing to point to the four missing starters and four forfeits as the reason for the final result.
?Before the match, we talked about how we had to block out the distractions and focus on the guys who were in the lineup,? Jacobson said. ?We can?t be worrying about the guys who are not in the lineup or giving up forfeits. I was concerned how the guys would deal with distractions, but I came away real happy with the performances.
?Every single kid who took the mat for us today, win or lose, battled regardless of the score or situation.?
Edgemont raced out to a 20-4 lead after five matches as Will Graybeal (126 pounds) opened with a technical fall, Peter Berman (138) and Ross Kantor (152) pinned and Jack McCormack (145) won by decision. However, the momentum shifted to Nanuet with the 160-pound bout as Edgemont?s Oliver Oks was in pain after hurting his knee, resulting in an injury default to Mike Buhlmann.
This initiated six consecutive Nanuet triumphs, transforming the 16-point deficit into a 49-20 lead, culminating with a forfeit to Vinny Skokos (106).
During this stretch, Nanuet coach Carmine Serra made a strategical move, resulting in a win. The veteran Nanuet coach bumped up Dan Breit from the 195-pound to the 220-pound match in order to face Danny Kornberg. Nanuet had Sergio Ventura and Breit weighed in at 195, but Kornberg beat Ventura in a Jerry McGuire Tournament 220-pound semifinal. Breit decisioned Kornberg, 7-4.
?When we were looking at their lineup Saturday, we were expecting it today,? Jacobson said. ?Danny was going 220, regardless of who was there. When Ventura came out for 95, I could have bumped Danny up, but I am opposed to bumping our wrestlers away to avoid good competition. That sends a bad message to the wrestler. It will make him think that you don?t have confidence in him.?
Edgemont closed out the match the way it began, with wins. Rikesh Mistrey (113), filling in for Trey Aslanian, pinned his opponent and Max Abramsky (120) closed it out cradling his opponent.
?I told the guys, after the match, that if you continue to train hard and work hard, in the long run it is going to pay off,? Jacobson said.
126 — Will Graybeal (Ed) tech. fall Chris Lowery, 15-0