Monthly Archives: February 2012

Binghamton Battles Past Bloomsburg, 18-15

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Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)

VESTAL, N.Y.—Binghamton wrestling (13-4), No. 19 in the country, split 10 matches with visiting Bloomsburg (15-7) but utilized a technical fall and major decision to earn an 18-15 win Thursday night from West Gym. The match was deadlocked at 15-15 heading into the final bout at heavyweight. Freshman Nick Gwiazdowski, No. 18 in the country, racked up five takedowns plus riding time for a 12-5 decision to give the Bearcats the deciding three team points.

“It was a solid performance overall,” head coach Pat Popolizio said. “We had a couple of key individual loses but impressive performances from our guys who won. It was a big win for Gwiazdowski and our team. Nick is a true freshman and that win is a great sign for him heading forward.”

Bloomsburg won the first two matches at 125 and 133 to forge ahead 6-0. Freshman 141-pound Joe Bonaldi put BU on the board with a 5-3 decision over Derek Shingara, who entered the night with 19 wins. Bonaldi (15-13) stretched a 3-2 lead with a takedown with 56 seconds remaining in the match and held on for the key win.

Junior 149-pound Donnie Vinson, ranked No. 4, was in control from the start and cruised to a 14-1 major decision over Bryce Busler, who is No. 29 in the latest NCAA Coach Ranking. Vinson (28-4, 16-1 duals) needed just two takedowns and recorded eight back points and a commanding 3:10 of riding time.

In a high-scoring affair between two ranked foes at 157, Bloomsburg’s No. 9 Frank Hickman overcame a 4-2 third-period deficit to storm past 10th-ranked Justin Lister, 13-10. Hickman attacked for five takedowns in the third period and despite more than two minutes of riding time, Lister dropped to 21-5 overall, 13-3 in duals.

Senior 165-pound Matt Kaylor collected five takedowns en route to an 11-6 decision. Kaylor raised his record to 20-8 overall, 12-5 in duals.

Junior 184-pound Nate Schiedel, No. 20, looked strong in a 20-3 technical fall. Schiedel (25-6, 13-2 duals) led 2-0 before registering three takedowns in the second period and two more takedowns and subsequent back points in the third to end the bout with 31 seconds remaining.

After a Bloomsburg decision at 197, the stage was set for Gwiazdowski. He shot in for a single leg takedown 50 seconds into the match and added another with 19 seconds left in the period to take a 4-1 lead after one. An escape by Zachary Walsh made it 4-2 before Gwiazdowski added another takedown with 26 seconds left in the second to push ahead 6-3 entering the third. Two more Gwiazdowski takedowns and 1:24 of riding time gave the BU freshman a seven-point final cushion and the pivotal three team points.

Up next is a bragging-rights away tilt Sunday at CAA rival Hofstra – in a battle between the last two CAA team champions. The Pride is ranked No. 22 in the poll and won the 2011 conference crown. A home encounter with fellow CAA member and No. 23 Old Dominion finishes off the dual season on February 17.

No. 19 Binghamton 18, Bloomsburgh 15
125 Sean Boylan (BL) dec. Derek Steeley (BU), 10-5
133 Nick Wilcox (BL) dec. Patrick Hunter (BU), 12-6
141 Joe Bonaldi (BU) dec. Derek Shingara (BL), 5-3
149 #4 Donnie Vinson (BU) major dec. Bryce Busler (BL), 14-1
157 #9 Frank Hickman (BL) dec. #10 Justin Lister (BU), 13-10
165 Matt Kaylor (BU) dec. Chris Smith (BL), 11-6
174 #19 Mike Dessino (BL) dec. Caleb Wallace (BU), 5-1
184 #20 Nate Schiedel (BU) tech fall Sam Shirley (BL), 20-3 (6:29)
197 Richard Perry (BL) dec. Cody Reed (BU), 7-4
Hwt #18 Nick Gwiazdowski (BU) dec. Zachary Walsh (BL), 12-5

New York HS State Rankings | Division 1 – February 9th, 2012

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2012 NYS DIVISION I INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
by:  Matt Diano (inspired by Lotrz) 

99
1. Kyle Kelly (Chenango Forks; Jr.)

2. Jose Rodriguez (Wantagh; Fr.)

3. Jon Haas (Spencerport; So.)

4.  Bryan Lantry (Wayne; So.)

5.  Nick Barbaria (New Rochelle; Fr.)

6. Joe Calderone (Walt Whitman; So.)

7. Steven Sewkumar (Long Beach; Jr.)

8. Christopher Cuccolo (Pine Bush; So.)

106
1. Nick Piccininni (Ward Melville; Fr.)

2.  Anthony Orefice (Lockport; Fr.)

3.  Mike D’Angelo (Commack; Fr.)

4.  Justin Cooksey (MacArthur; So.)

5.  Mike Parise (Brewster; Sr.)

6.  Freddy Dunau (St. Anthony’s; So.)

7.  Nathan Marshall (Massena; Jr.)

8.  Krisna Sewkumar (Long Beach; Sr.)

 

113
1. Mark Raghunandan (Long Beach; Sr.)

2.  Vincent Deprez (Hilton; So.)

3. Dylan Realbuto (Somers; Jr.)

4.  Corey Jamieson (Huntington; So.)

5.  Brandon Lapi (Amsterdam; So.)

6. Eric Orellana (Brentwood; Sr.)

7. Pat Skinner (Kellenberg Memorial; Sr.)

8.  Chris Mauriello (Hauppauge; 8th)

120
1. Sean McCabe (Connetquot; Sr.)

2. Mark West (Hauppauge; Jr.)

3. Rocco Russo (Frontier; So).

4. TJ Fabian (Shoreham Wading-River; Jr)

5. Baron Brady (Pittsford; Sr.)

6.  Matt Leshinger (Sayville; So.)

7. Oral Allen (Long Beach; Sr.)

7. Derrick Gray (Indian River; Jr.)

 

126
1. Sam Speno (Fox Lane; Sr.)

2. Maverick Passaro (Eastport So. Manor; Sr.)

3. Matt Greene (Columbia; Sr.)

4. Dylan Caruana (Kenmore West; Sr.)

5. Alec Dierna (Webster Schroeder; Sr.)

6. Sam Melikian (Fordham Prep; Sr.)

7. Chris Siracusa (Sayville; Sr.)

8. Conor O’Hara (Sachem East; Jr.)

 

132
1. Nick Kelley (Shenendehowa; Jr.)

2.  Jamel Hudson (St. Anthony’s; Sr.)

3. Nick Mauriello (Hauppauge; Sr.)

4. Thomas Dutton (Rocky Point; Fr.)

5. James Porteus (Brockport; Sr.)

6. Joey Gates (Connetquot; Sr.)

7. Justin Paradiso (Massapequa; Sr.)

8.  Danny Ventura (Fox Lane; Sr.)

 

138
1. James Dekrone (John Glenn; Sr.)

2.  Sam Schwartzapfel (Hauppauge; Sr.)

3. Malik Rasheed (Longwood; Sr.)

4. Danny McDevitt (Wantagh; Jr.)

5.  Alexis Blanco (Brentwood; Sr.)

6. Shane Connolly (Warwick Valley; Sr.)

7. Jake Srednicki (Mahopac; Jr.)

8. Tim McCann (Monsignor Farrell; Sr.)

 

145
1. Jimmy Kloc (Iroquis; Sr.)

2. Evan Wallace (Columbia; Sr.)

3. Dylan Cohen (Baldwin; Sr.)

4. Corey Rasheed (Longwood; So.)

5. Dale White (John Jay-ES; Jr.)

6. Mike Caputo (North Rockland; Sr.)

7. Harley Kusse (Webster Schroeder; Sr.)

8.  Bret Sauschunk (Port Jervis; Sr.)

 

152
1. Brian Realbuto (Somers; Sr.)

2. Brian Keck (Shoreham Wading-River)

3.  Nicky Hall Jr. (Longwood; Jr.)

4. Steven Maier (Spencerport; Sr.)

5. Alex Francik (Vestal; Jr.)

6.  Devon Viscone (Fulton; Sr.)

7. Anthony Pistone (Sachem East; Sr.)

8. Mike Tropiano (East Meadow; Jr.)

 

160
1. Dylan Palacio (Long Beach; Sr.)

2. Jorje Jimenez (Grand Street Campus; Sr.)

3.  Frank Affronti (Wayne; Sr.)

4. Tyler Grimaldi (Hills West; Jr.)

5. Connor Sutton (La Salle Institute; Sr.)

6.  Matt Pasqualini (Fox Lane; Sr.)

7. Joe Cataldo (MacArthur; Sr.)

8. Zak Mullen (Shoreham Wading-River; Sr.)

 

170
1. Daniel Spurgeon (Plainedge; Sr.)

2. Dylen Seybold (Longwood; Sr.)

3. Stephen Lumley (South Glens Falls; Sr.)

4. Chris Loew (Wantagh; Sr.)

5.  Joe Piccolo (Hills West; Jr.)

6. Rrok Ndokaj (Monsignor Farrell; Sr.)

7. Shayne Brady (Carthage; Jr.)

8.  Anthony Liberatore (Williamsville South; Jr.)

 

182
1. McZiggy Richards (Wingate; Sr.)

2. Matt Lashaway (Queensbury; Sr.)

3. Jacob Berkowitz (Scarsdale; Sr.)

4. Andrew Ventura (Kings Park; Sr.)

5. Nick Ballanza (John Glenn; Sr.)

6. Giovanni Santiago (Sachem North; Jr.)

7. Andrew Jones (Plainedge; Sr.)

8. Levi Ashley (Shenendehowa; So.)

 

195
1. Tony Fusco (Shenendehowa; Sr.)

2.  Reggie Williams (Johnson City; So.)

3.  Mike Spinelli (Mahopac; Sr.)

4.  Deon Edmund (Kingston; Jr.)

5. Jesse Kozub (Brockport; Sr.)

6. Pavel Gorelov (Warwick Valley; Sr.)

7. Scott Wymbs (Horace Greeley; Jr.)

8. Rich Sisti (Monsignor Farrell; So.)

 

220
1. Derrick Dalton (Indian River; Sr.)

2. Nick Lupi (Huntington; Jr.)

3.  Josh Lackey (Fairport; Sr.)

4. Dom De Vita (Somers; Sr.)

5.  Max Antone (Niagara Wheatfield; Sr.)

6.  Patryk Kopczynski (Brooklyn Tech; Sr.)

7. Tyler Lilly (New Rochelle; Sr.)

8.  Andrew Auriemma (St. Anthony’s’ Sr.)

 

285
1. Cole Lampman (Shenendehowa; Sr.)

2. Evan Kappatos (Syosset; Sr.)

3.  Ethan Stanley (Saugerties; Sr.)

4. John Coleman (Spencerport; Jr.)

5. El Shaddai Gilmore-Vanhoesen (Columbia; Sr.)

6. Sean Barry (Hendrick Hudson; Sr.)

7. Seth Staubile (Kingston; Sr.)

8. Michael Hughes (Smithtown West; Jr.)

 

New York HS State Rankings – Division 2 – February 9th, 2012

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2012 NYS DIVISION II INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
by:  Matt Diano (inspired by Lotrz)

99

1. Joe Nelson (Oxford; So.)

2. Luis Weirebach (Hoosick Falls; So.)

3. Andrew Flanagan (Holley; Jr.)

4. Joe Dillon (Nanuet; So.)

5. Tyler Aslanian (Edgemont; So.)

 

106

1. Lucas Malmberg (Marathon; Sr.)

2.  Ryan Snow (General Brown; So.)

3.  Cody Carberry (Chittenango; Sr.)

4. Collin Royce (Warsaw; Fr.)

5. Cheick Ndiaye (Brooklyn International; Jr.)

 

113

1. Sean Peacock (Midlakes; So.)

2. William Koll (Lansing; So.)

3.  John Aslanian (Edgemont; Jr.)

4. Dillon Stowell (Gouverneur; Jr.)

5.  Jeff O’Lena (East Rochester; Sr.)

 

120

1. Tristan Rifanburg (Norwich; Fr.)

2. Sam Recco (Lyndonville; Sr.)

3. Spencer Franklin (Sherburne-Earlville; Sr.)

4. Pat Webster (Adirondack; Sr.)

5. Zach Marcel (Corinth; Sr.)

 

126

1.  Nicholas Tighe (Phoenix; Jr.)

2.  Corey Dake (Lansing; Sr.)

3. Dylan Rifenberg (Pal-Mac; Sr.)

4. Drew Longo (Ardsley; Jr.)

5.  Noah Valastro (Hudson Falls; Sr.)

 

132

1. Wesley Blanding (Chittenango; Sr.)

2.  Kevin Strong (Frewsburg; Jr.)

3.  Tom Page (Eden; Sr.)

4. Jacob Goddeau (Peru; Sr.)

5. Connor Lapresi (Lansing; Jr.)

 

138

1. Quinton Murphy (Holley; Sr.)

2.  Anthony Finocchiaro (Canastota; Sr.)

3.  Isaiah Riccio (Beaver River; Jr.)

4. Daniel Regan (Lewiston-Porter; Jr.)

5. Collin Fox (Midlakes; Jr.).

 

145

1. Tyler Button (Phoenix; Sr.)

2. Nathan Silverthorn (General Brown; Sr.)

3. Drew Hull (Royalton-Hartland)

4.  Alex Smythe (Eden; So.)

5.  Jacob Demmon (Clifton Fine; Sr.)

 

152

1. Derek Pfluger (Sandy Creek; Sr.)

2. Ben Haas (Salamanica; Sr.)

3. Tristan Hamner (Medina; Sr.)

4.  Mike Beckwith (Greene; Jr.)

5. Rowdy Prior (Phoenix; Jr.)

 

160

1. Chris Nevinger (Letchworth; Sr.)

2.  Aaron Dudley (Hudson Falls; Sr.)

3.  Tyler Silverthorn (General Brown; So.)

4.  Jared Soule (Sandy Creek; Sr.)

5. Justin Kellett (Northern Adirondack; Jr.)

 

170

1. Zach Zupan (Canastota; Jr.)

2. Nick Mitchell (Frewsburg; Sr.)

3. Burke Paddock (Warsaw; So.)

4. Troy Seymour (Peru; Jr.)

5. Marcus Dwaileebe (Olean; Sr.)

 

182

1. Tony Lock (Pioneer; Sr.)

2. Keegan Cerwinski  (Greene; Sr.)

3.  Timmy Schaefer (Warsaw; Jr.)

4. John Pestillo (Batavia; Jr.)

5. Oliver Mold (Pawling; Sr.)

 

195

1.  Austyn Hayes (Phoenix; Sr.)

2. Zack Diekel (Whitehall; Sr.)

3.  Ryan Todd (Lansing; Sr.)

4. John Nickerson (Maple Grove; Sr.)

5. Ben Perry (Saranac; Sr.)

 

220/285

1. Kacee Sauer (Holley; Sr.

2. Kyle Stanton (Greene; Sr.)

3. James Merritt (Oswego Free Academy; Sr.)

4. Hayden Head (Beekmantown; Sr.)

5. Brandon Fayle (Lowville; Jr.)

New York State HS Combined Rankings – February 9th, 2011

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2012 NYS COMBINED INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
by:  Matt Diano (inspired by Lotrz) 

99

1. Kyle Kelly (Chenango Forks; Jr.)

2.  Jose Rodriguez (Wantagh; Fr.)

3. Jon Haas (Spencerport; So.)

4.  Bryan Lantry (Wayne; So.)

5.  Nick Barbaria (New Rochelle; Fr.)

6. Joe Calderone (Walt Whitman; So.)

7. Joe Nelson (Oxford; So.)

8. Steven Sewkumar (Long Beach; Jr.)

 

106

1.  Nick Piccininni (Ward Melville; Fr.)

2.  Anthony Orefice (Lockport; Fr.)

3.  Mike D’Angelo (Commack; Fr.)

4.  Justin Cooksey (MacArthur; So.)

5.  Mike Parise (Brewster; Sr.

6. Lucas Malmberg (Marathon; Sr.)

7. Freddy Dunau (St. Anthony’s; So.)

8. Nathan Marshall (Massena; Jr.)

 

113

1. Mark Raghunandan (Long Beach; Sr.)

2.  Vincent Deprez (Hilton; So.)

3. Dylan Realbuto (Somers; Jr.)

4. Sean Peacock (Midlakes; So.)

5. Corey Jamieson (Huntington; So.)

6. William Koll (Lansing; So.)

7. John Aslanian (Edgemont; Jr.)

8.  Brandon Lapi (Amsterdam; So.)

 

120

1. Tristan Rifanburg (Norwich; Fr.)

2. Sean McCabe (Connetquot; Sr.)

3. Mark West (Hauppauge; Jr.)

4. Sam Recco (Lyndonville; Sr.)

5. Rocco Russo (Frontier; So).

6. TJ Fabian (Shoreham Wading-River; Jr)

7. Baron Brady (Pittsford; Sr.)

8.  Matt Leshinger (Sayville; So.)

 

126

1. Sam Speno (Fox Lane; Sr.)

2. Maverick Passaro (Eastport So. Manor; Sr.)

3. Nicholas Tighe (Phoenix; Jr.)

4.  Corey Dake (Lansing; Sr.)

5.  Matt Greene (Columbia; Sr.)

6. Dylan Caruana (Kenmore West; Sr.)

7. Alec Dierna (Webster Schroeder; Sr.)

8. Dylan Rifenberg (Pal-Mac; Sr.)

 

132

1. Nick Kelley (Shenendehowa; Jr.)

2.  Jamel Hudson (St. Anthony’s; Sr.)

3. Nick Mauriello (Hauppauge; Sr.)

4. Wesley Blanding (Chittenango; Sr.)

5.  Kevin Strong (Frewsburg; Jr.)

6.  Tom Page (Eden; Sr.)

7. Thomas Dutton (Rocky Point; Fr.)

8. Jacob Goddeau (Peru; Sr.)

 

138

1.  Quinton Murphy (Holley; Sr.)

2.  James Dekrone (John Glenn; Sr.)

3.  Sam Schwartzapfel (Hauppauge; Sr.)

4. Malik Rasheed (Longwood; Sr.)

5. Anthony Finocchiaro (Canastota; Sr.)

6. Danny McDevitt (Wantagh; Jr.)

7.  Alexis Blanco (Brentwood; Sr.)

8. Shane Connolly (Warwick Valley; Sr.).

 

145

1. Tyler Button (Phoenix; Sr.)

2. Jimmy Kloc (Iroquis; Sr.)

3. Evan Wallace (Columbia; Sr.)

4. Nathan Silverthorn (General Brown; Sr.)

5. Drew Hull (Royalton-Hartland)

6.  Dylan Cohen (Baldwin; Sr.)

7. Corey Rasheed (Longwood; So.)

8. Alex Smythe (Eden; So.)

 

152

1. Brian Realbuto (Somers; Sr.)

2. Derek Pfluger (Sandy Creek; Sr.)

3. Brian Keck (Shoreham Wading-River)

4. Tristan Hamner  (Medina; Sr.)

5. Nicky Hall Jr. (Longwood; Jr.)

6. Ben Haas (Salamanica; Sr.)

7. Steven Maier (Spencerport; Sr.)

8. Mike Beckwith (Greene; Jr.)

 

160

1. Dylan Palacio (Long Beach; Sr.)

2. Chris Nevinger (Letchworth; Sr.)

3. Aaron Dudley (Hudson Falls; Sr.)

4. Jorje Jimenez (Grand Street Campus; Sr.)

5. Frank Affronti (Wayne; Sr.)

6. Tyler Grimaldi (Hills West; Jr.)

7. Connor Sutton (La Salle Institute; Sr.)

8. Tyler Silverthorn (General Brown; So.)

 

170

1. Zach Zupan (Canastota; Jr.)

2. Nick Mitchell (Frewsburg; Sr.)

3. Burke Paddock (Warsaw; So.)

4. Troy Seymour (Peru; Jr.)

5.  Daniel Spurgeon (Plainedge; Sr.)

6.  Marcus Dwaileebe (Olean; Sr.)

7.  Dylen Seybold (Longwood; Sr.)

8. Stephen Lumley (South Glens Falls; Sr.)

 

182

1. Tony Lock (Pioneer; Sr.)

2. McZiggy Richards (Wingate; Sr.)

3. Matt Lashaway (Queensbury; Sr.)

4. Jacob Berkowitz (Scarsdale; Sr.)

5. Keegan Cerwinski  (Greene; Sr.)

6.  Timmy Schaefer (Warsaw; Jr.)

7. Andrew Ventura (Kings Park; Sr.)

8. Nick Ballanza (John Glenn; Sr.)

 

195

1. Tony Fusco (Shenendehowa; Sr.)

2. Austyn Hayes (Phoenix; Sr.)

3. Zack Diekel (Whitehall; Sr.)

4. Ryan Todd (Lansing; Sr.)

5. John Nickerson (Maple Grove; Sr.)

6. Mike Spinelli (Mahopac; Sr.)

7. Deon Edmund (Kingston; Jr.)

8. Jesse Kozub (Brockport; Sr.)

 

220

1. Kyle Stanton (Greene; Sr.)

2. Derrick Dalton (Indian River; Sr.)

3. Nick Lupi (Huntington; Jr.)

4.  Josh Lackey (Fairport; Sr.)

5. Dom De Vita (Somers; Sr.)

6.  Max Antone (Niagara Wheatfield; Sr.)

7.  Patryk Kopczynski (Brooklyn Tech; Sr.)

8. Tyler Lilly (New Rochelle; Sr.).

 

285

1. Kacee Sauer (Holley; Sr.)

2. Cole Lampman (Shenendehowa; Sr.)

3. Evan Kappatos (Syosset; Sr.)

4. Ethan Stanley (Saugerties; Sr.)

5. James Merritt (Oswego Free Academy; Sr.)

6. Hayden Head (Beekmantown; Sr.)

7. John Coleman (Spencerport; Jr.)

8.  El Shaddai Gilmore-Vanhoesen (Columbia; Sr.)

 

Two-Time Finalist Tristan Rifanburg Readies for Another Title Run

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By Betsy Veysman

Tristan Rifanburg isn’t the only two-time state finalist getting ready for another postseason run. But he is the only freshman in that category.

Prior to ever stepping on the varsity mat for Norwich, Rifanburg saw a great deal of success, winning events such as the MAWA Nationals twice.  As a result, he and his coaches believed he could compete as a seventh grader – and win – right away.

“We knew he was going to do well, but initially I don’t think we knew just how successful he was going to be in seventh grade,” said Norwich head coach Joe Downey.  “But after about a month into the season, we realized how good he really was and we began expecting that he would win the state tournament.”

Rifanburg did just that, marching through the regular season at 96 pounds with just a single loss.  In Albany, he captured the state title with a 10-6 victory over Drew Longo of Ardsley.

“I believed from the start that I could beat anyone that stepped on the mat with me,” he said.  “People were telling me that that I couldn’t do it as a seventh grader, that I was going to lose.  But I just trained as hard as I could every day and it paid off.”

“A lot of times when a seventh grader makes it to state, they’re just happy to be there,” Downey added.  “But not Tristan.  He had one goal in mind and he made it happen.”

In winning the crown, Rifanburg became the first seventh grader and the first Norwich wrestler to stand on top of the podium at the New York States.   Rifanburg, currently ranked as the ninth best freshman in the country by Intermat, was welcomed back in style.

“I was really surprised that my town had a parade for me,” he said. “It seemed like everyone in the whole town was there.  It was really cool.”

The celebration was for his achievements on the mat, but according to Downey, Rifanburg is accomplished in other areas as well.

“I would love my son to grow up to be like Tristan,” the coach said. “He’s a high honor roll student who is as calm and cool as you get.  He’s respectful and courteous and a great person to be around.”

Last season as a 112 pound eighth grader, Rifanburg enjoyed another stellar season and fought his way back to the state title match in Albany.  However, he took second place after four-time gold medalist Arik Robinson defeated him 7-2.

Now, as a third year varsity starter, the freshman has continued his winning ways, compiling a 34-1 record to date.  He began the year at 126 pounds, suffering his only loss to one of the top 50 senior recruits in the country, Northwestern-bound Dom Malone of Wyoming Seminary.

“I learned from that match that I’m not the best guy out there,” Rifanburg said. “It motivated me even more to keep training every day and work to be the best.”

At the end of December, Rifanburg dropped to 120 pounds, where he went 11-0 with nine pins and two technical falls.  He was considered by many to be the top 120-pounder in the Empire State.

“He’s gotten much better on his feet this year,” the coach said. “He’s shooting to both sides much more.  He’s even more dominant on top than before.  He does a really good job tilting, with bars and in general staying tight to his opponent.  I don’t even know what to expect from him sometimes, he winds up amazing me.”

 New Milestone, New Weight

In mid January, Rifanburg picked up his 100th high school victory, a milestone he said he had been thinking about for quite some time.  He was quick to add, however, that now his goals have been reset and he has started the countdown to 200 triumphs.

He began that mission at the STAC Championships on January 27.  At that tournament, he returned to 126 pounds, which he said will be his home for the remainder of the year.

“When I dropped to 120, I wasn’t enjoying the sport or school. Things weren’t as much fun anymore,” he said. “When I went back up to 126, everything felt better.  My academics were better, wrestling was better and I was happier.”

The move to his new weight potentially sets up an intriguing match at the Section IV tournament this weekend.  Sitting on the other side of the bracket is Lansing senior Corey Dake, a three-time state placer.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” he said of facing Dake.  “We’ve never wrestled before.  He’s the top guy in the bracket.  Ever since the decision was made to move up to 126, I’ve been thinking about that match.”

“Fans are definitely going to get their money’s worth,” added Downey.  “It will be a battle.”

After that battle, the wrestler expects to return to Albany to attempt a third finals appearance and a second New York crown.

“After I won my state title in seventh grade I set the goal to be the first six-time New York State champion,” Rifanburg said. “That can’t happen after last year, but I can still be a five time champ and tie [Cornell NCAA Champion and former Chenango Forks star] Troy Nickerson.  That’s a big time motivator.”

With both Dake and defending 119-pound champion Nick Tighe of Phoenix, among others, in the field, it won’t be easy.  But Downey believes that a loaded bracket will bring out the best in Rifanburg.

“Tristan is mentally prepared to wrestle the tough guys in the big situations,” he said. “When you put him underneath the spotlight, he rises to the occasion.  He seems to step it up a couple of notches in the tough matches.”

Buffalo Falls at Eastern Michigan, 31-7

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YPSILANTI, MI – The Buffalo wrestling team dropped its mid-week match on Wednesday evening to Eastern Michigan, losing 31-7. Kevin Smith‘s 119th career victory was the highlight of the match, as it moved him into a tie for second place on the program’s career win list.

Smith earned a 9-5 win over Corey Phillips in the 141 match and now is tied up with former teammate Jimmy Hamel for second place in career overall wins, and his 50 dual meet wins inch him ever closer to Kyle Cerminara’s program record.

Blake Roulo followed up with an explosive performance at 149 pounds, taking a 15-6 major decision over Jaylyn Bohl to cut even more into Eastern’s initial 9-0 lead, but the final six UB wrestlers could only muster 16 total points, includingClay Reeb‘s 11 in a 16-11 loss at 165 pounds as the fill in forMark Lewandowski.

Now 5-14 (0-4 MAC), Buffalo will hit the final weekend of the regular season on Feb. 18 with a dual against Northern Illinois before facing SIU-Edwardsville the following day. Both matches will be held at 1 pm.

Results

125: Jared Germaine (EMU) dec. Max Soria (UB), 13-7   EMU 3, UB 0

133: Andrew Novak (EMU) fall Justin Farmer (UB), 4:48   EMU 9, UB 0

141: Kevin Smith (UB) dec. Corey Phillips (EMU), 9-5   EMU 9, UB 3

149: Blake Roulo (UB) maj. dec. Jaylyn Bohl (EMU), 15-6   EMU 9, UB 7

157: Aaron Sulzer (EMU) dec. Wally Maziarz (UB), 9-3   EMU 12, UB 7

165: Lester France (EMU) dec. Clay Reeb (UB), 16-11   EMU 15, UB 7

174: Phillip Joseph (EMU) dec. Jake Waste (UB), 4-1   EMU 18, UB 7

184: Khodor Hoballah (EMU) maj. dec. Dom Montesanti (UB), 9-1   EMU 22, UB 7

197: Nick Whitenburg (EMU) tech. fall Justin Heiserman (UB), 16-0 (3:00)   EMU 27, UB 7

HWT: Wes Schroeder (EMU) maj. dec. Jedd Mason (UB), 10-0   EMU 31, UB 7

Army Knocks Off Bucknell, 27-12

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Junior Jordan Thome and sophomore Ryan Bilyeu recorded pins, and four other Black Knights won bouts as the Army wrestling team defeated Bucknell, 27-12, in an EIWA dual match Tuesday evening inside Gillis Field House.

Army, which has won five consecutive dual matches, improves to 8-5 (5-1 EIWA). Bucknell, meanwhile, dropped its fourth straight dual match and sees its record dip to 3-15 (2-3 EIWA).

“It feels great to win,” said Army head coach Joe Heskett. “It was nice to watch these guys execute on the mat and do the things that they’re working on. There are a lot of good things to take away and build off of as we approach the end of the season.”

Bucknell assumed an early 3-0 advantage in tonight’s contest after Austin Miller took a 13-7 decision from Army freshman Scott Filbert in the 125-pound matchup. Miller fell behind Filbert, 2-0, early in the first period before taking control of the bout.

The Black Knights quickly erased their deficit, however, as Thome pinned Shawn Armato in two minutes, 45 seconds at 133 pounds. Thome’s pin, which got the crowd into the match, helped Army seize a 6-3 lead.

The Bison knotted the score at 6-6 following Derrik Russell’s 4-1 victory over Army sophomore Tyler Rauenzahn in the 141-pount bout. Russell trailed 1-0 at the beginning of the third period before recording an escape and a takedown to assume a 3-1 edge midway through the final stanza. He added an additional point for riding time to account for the final margin.

Army responded once again in the 149-pound matchup as Bilyeu pinned Alex Pellicciotti in 2:48. The second-year grappler took Pellicciotti to the mat and refused to let him back up.

The Black Knights extended their advantage to 15-6 as senior co-captain Jimmy Rafferty earned a hard-fought 12-10 decision opposite John Regan at 157 pounds. Rafferty trailed 7-3 after the second period before a furious third-period rally knotted the score at 10-all following regulation time. The Haddon Heights, N.J., native capped his comeback by taking Regan to the mat late in the first sudden victory period.

“It’s a great feeling to get a win, especially on Senior Night,” said Rafferty. “It was my last chance to wrestle at home, and I love it. You always want to go out and win and do your best, and I was proud to represent my teammates tonight.”

Bucknell inched to within 15-9 after Corey Lear slipped past Army freshman Cole Gracey in the 165-ound bout. Gracey led 3-2 entering the third period, but Lear scored a two-point reversal midway through the final frame to earn the victory.

The Bison trimmed the Black Knights’ lead to 15-12 as Bucknell’s Stephen McPeek’s secured a 6-2 win versus Army junior Collin Wittmeyer at 174 pounds. The bout was tied at 2-2 after two periods, but McPeek dominated the final stanza en route to the victory.

That was as close as Bucknell would get, though, as Army won the final three weights to seal the victory.

Army senior Michael Gorman pushed the Black Knights’ lead to 18-12 by taking a 5-1 decision from Jamie Westwood in the 184-pound bout. Gorman held a tenuous 1-0 edge following the first two periods, but reeled off a pair of takedowns in the final frame to earn the win.

Fellow senior Derek Stanley clinched the match for Army by defeating Tyler Lyster, 6-3, in the 197-pound match. The fourth-year wrestler parlayed a pair of takedowns and a two-point reversal into the victory, which gave the Black Knights an insurmountable 21-12 cushion.

Senior Daniel Mills was awarded a win by forfeit in the heavyweight bout to cap the scoring.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Michael, Derek and Daniel,” said Rafferty of his fellow seniors. “They are closer friends than I could have ever dreamt of, and I’m just so happy that we were able to come out here tonight and beat Bucknell. To do it on Senior Night in front of our families was really special.”

Army returns to action on Friday, Feb. 17, when the Black Knights travel to Annapolis, Md., to face arch-rival Navy. The annual Star Match is set to get under way at 7:30 p.m.

Match Notes: Army’s all-time record versus Bucknell improves to 9-2 … tonight’s victory snapped the Black Knights’ two-match losing skid to the Bison … it marks Army’s first victory over Bucknell since Nov. 24, 2008, and first home win over the Bison since Nov. 20, 2007 … Army’s eight wins this season are the most since the 2008-09 team compiled a 10-6-2 overall mark … the Black Knights’ five EIWA victories this season are the most since the 2007-07 squad piled up six conference wins … Army’s seniors were honored prior to tonight’s match in a special Senior Night ceremony … the Black Knights started four seniors this evening, and the quartet combined to post a perfect 4-0 mark …Jordan Thome recorded his 11th pin of the season, moving into a tie for 14th place on Army’s single-season list … it also marked his 26th career pin, moving him into sole possession of 10th place on the Black Knights’ all-time ledger … Tyler Rauenzahn made his dual match debut in this evening’s contest … Ryan Bilyeu’s pin was the first of his career … Thome and Jimmy Rafferty are tied for the team lead with 23 wins apiece … Rafferty paces the team with 10 dual match victories … Rafferty’s 23 wins are a new single-season career best … Cole Gracey saw his 12-match win streak snapped … it marked Gracey’s first loss since Jan. 1, 2012, at the Southern Scuffle … Collin Wittmeyer made his first appearance since wrestling at the Northeast Duals on Nov. 26, 2011 … Michael Gorman has won nine of his last 12 bouts … Derek Stanley has won four straight matches and nine of his last 11 bouts …Daniel Mills has won three straight bouts and six of his last seven matches since beginning the season 0-9.

Army 27, Bucknell 12
125: Austin Miller (B) dec. Scott Filbert, 13-7
133: Jordan Thome (A) pinned Shawn Armato, 2:45
141: Derrik Russell (B) dec. Tyler Rauenzahn, 4-1
149: Ryan Bilyeu (A) pinned Alex Pellicciotti, 2:48
157: Jimmy Rafferty (A) dec. John Regan, 12-10 (sv1)
165: Corey Lear (B) dec. Cole Gracey, 4-3
174: Stephen McPeek (B) dec. Collin Wittmeyer, 6-2
184: Michael Gorman (A) dec. Jamie Westwood, 5-1
197: Derek Stanley (A) dec. Tyler Lyster, 6-3
285: Daniel Mills (A) wins by forfeit

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Buffalo's Kevin Smith: Scholar, Athlete and Therapist

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By Betsy Veysman

Two-time NCAA qualifier Kevin Smith trains from 8:30 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon Monday through Friday – but not in the wrestling room.

The 141-pounder is in his second year of the doctoral program in physical therapy at the University at Buffalo.   He is in the midst of a clinical internship at a nursing home facility in the area, where he spends eight hours of each weekday honing his physical therapy skills.

Smith has been surprised that he has enjoyed the work, saying that the nursing home rotation “isn’t appealing to most young people.”

But after talking to him and his coach, it became pretty clear that Smith isn’t “most young people.”

“Kevin has done everything right,” said Buffalo head coach Jim Beichner.  “He’s been steady in every way he could possibly be. He’s one of the winningest wrestlers in our program’s history.  He’s an exceptional student.  He works hard at everything. You really can’t ask for more than what Kevin gives you.”

In the classroom, he has maintained a 3.7 grade point average.  After three years of undergraduate work, he applied to the doctoral program and was one of about 40 accepted students out of approximately 150 applicants.  His academic efforts have been recognized as he has been named to the All-Academic Teams both nationally (NWCA) and in the Mid American Conference (MAC) all three of his seasons.

But he has also had plenty of success on the mat.  After his redshirt year, he stepped into the lineup at 133 pounds and compiled a 29-9 record.  As a sophomore, he took a step forward, placing third at the MAC championships and going to his first NCAA tournament, where he went 1-2.  He had some big victories in his 35-14 junior campaign, where he found himself ranked in the top 10 for portions of the season.  In March, he again placed third at his conference tournament and earned a victory at NCAAs.

For his final year of competition, Smith moved up to 141 pounds.  He has racked up a 25-7 record and with two more victories will take over second place on the all-time Buffalo wins list, ahead of Jimmy Hamel and behind the squad’s last All-American, Kyle Cerminara.  Smith isn’t satisfied.

“I’m relatively disappointed in this season, to be honest,” he said.  “It was a big challenge adapting to the new weight class.  I found it more difficult to score points, but I’m starting to find my rhythm now.  I think I’m peaking at the right time.  What happens in the next month and a half is what matters.”

The goals from now until mid-March are not a secret.  Smith wants to win his first MAC title and then reach the podium in St. Louis at NCAAs.

“I’m still without a MAC championship ring, so first and foremost I want to do that, both for myself and for the team,” he said. “Then, I want to get back to nationals and surprise some people; upset some big names and get on the podium.”

To get there, Beichner feels that Smith needs to stay on the offensive.

“Kevin has started to wrestle really well,” he said.  “Sometimes at this level, you play the defensive game.  Kevin is at his best when he’s aggressive on his feet, constantly attacking people.  If he keeps doing that, he’ll have the chance to reach his goals.”

According to Smith, being at 141 allows him to take this approach.

“I think not cutting as much weight has given me much more energy and I’ve been able to be more aggressive.  In the matches I’ve lost, it hasn’t been my opponents taking me down off their shots.  It’s been my inability to finish.  That’s what I’m working on fine tuning now.”

On the final Sunday in January against Ohio University, Smith didn’t have an issue finishing his shots in his 4-0 victory over Darren Boing.  The match held special significance for a number of reasons.  It was the Takedown Cancer Dual, an effort started in honor of former teammate Jeff Parker, who passed away from melanoma.  In addition, it was Senior Night and Smith’s last home bout.

“My entire family was there,” Smith said.  “Knowing that I won’t ever walk on that mat again in Alumni Arena as a UB athlete was pretty emotional for me.  There was also the emotion from Takedown Cancer.  It was a night I’ll never forget.  Unfortunately, we weren’t able to win the dual and that was upsetting, but overall it was a memorable night.”

Beichner felt the same way.

“I thought Kevin wrestled as well as I’ve seen him wrestle this year in front of a good crowd,” the coach said. “I had a little tear in my eye knowing he wrestled his last home match.  It was a good way for him to go out.  I’m really proud of him.”

The Mexico, NY native has had a lot to be proud of recently.  He was named the MAC Wrestler of the Week for the fourth time of his career.   He also was named the conference’s Scholar Athlete of the Week, an honor he has collected in the past as well.  At the New York State Championships on January 22, he captured the 141-pound title and was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler.

This mixture of academic and athletic awards toward the end of his career is fitting for Smith.

“I could tell from the first time I met Kevin and his parents that they had goals in the classroom and on the mat,” Beichner said. “They understood that athletics are a tool to help you get somewhere in life.  When I was in college, I thought wrestling was everything.  It’s a lot, but you don’t wrestle until you’re 70.  Kevin has understood all along that working hard in the wrestling room and outside of it is the key to his future.  If I had 10 Kevin Smiths in the room, we’d never lose.  He has a bright future ahead of him.”

For Smith that future includes what he hopes will be a memorable March.  Then he will get back to school, which he will finish in the spring of 2013 and have the chance to achieve a goal he has had for years.

“When I broke my arm in seventh grade while wrestling, I had to go through physical therapy,” he said.  “It really interested me at the time and I thought it was what I wanted to do.”

He is getting that chance in the nursing facility where, in his words, he is “giving elderly patients the best quality of life possible for their remaining years.”

On the mat, in the classroom and at the bedside, quality seems to be a way of life for Kevin Smith.