Five local athletes headed to Albany for state wrestling tourney
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Fredonia's Hector Colom pins his opponent to the mat.
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CLCS wrestler Bryce Rowe catches his opponent in a headlock during a regular season wrestling meet.
Colom currently sits as the No. 3 seed for the tourney, and will be making his fourth appearance at the state tournament. This year he will be returning as the back-to-back Section 6 champion at 132 pounds. His first match will be against Bryant Sexton of FVEC out of Section 4. Giovanni Russo -- the 2018 Sectional runner-up -- will be making his debut in Albany as an at-large candidate after East Aurora's John Putney dropped out due to illness in the 128-pound division. Russo will take on No. 3-seeded Riley Gerber from Section 3, Camden.
"I don't have any expectations (for my athletes). My expectation is to prepare Hector and Gio the best we can," Fredonia coach Joe Santilli stated. "The hope is that they go out there and perform to the best of their abilities, and see how it plays out. … That in itself is the message, and that's what we're doing for the both of them." "The first match is the most important one, and we'll prepare for each (match) going forward when the time comes," Santilli said.
"It's a tough tournament," he continued. "Anything can happen. Fredonia has a long history of success and we're just trying to continue that. My hope is that these boys become a part of that success in what they do this weekend."
Ramsey, the young gun out of Panama who wrestles for the Thunderbirds, is making his official debut in the state tournament as a freshman. Chautauqua Lake coach Brad Rowe seems to think that Ramsey has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Ramsey is not willing to back down to anyone opponent, and he's guaranteed to give it everything he's got.
"For him, the accomplishment of making it to states is incredible," Rowe said of Ramsey. "He's always ready. He always gives it his all no matter who he's wrestling. He's just confident. He's one of those kids that has confidence."
Ramsey currently enters the tournament as an unseeded competitor, but that certainly won't deter him from trying to make a statement.
"You always hope for the best (in Brendan), and I know he has a lot of potential and hope he get on to that podium," Rowe said.
Two Chautauqua Lake wrestlers -- Bryce Rowe (160) and Szymanowski (220) -- have been selected as wild cards for the State tournament. Rowe, the No. 3 seed, is the only member that will be a seeded participant.
For all three Chautauqua Lake-Westfield-Clymer-Panama teammates, this marks the first opportunity they've all had at the state level. They've pushed bodies to the extreme to make it this far, and coach Rowe is still trying to keep their fire going heading into this weekend.
"As for expectations, I think they can do great things this weekend. Theses kids have the right mindset, so hopefully they're ready to go," Brad Rowe said. "I think if you're at this point (as an athlete) you're already self-motivated. (Wrestling's) a tough sport, it's a long season. So getting here, you've had to put in the work. We're just trying to get they're heads in the right space and get them inspired. Just try to make them excited and make their experience a good one. I think our area has a great representatives. I hope all the local boys go out there and do what they're capable of doing."
The NYSPHSAA State Wrestling finals will take place this Friday though Saturday. The Southern Tier and Section 6 certainly have the talent and the numbers to crown a champion in Albany. A little luck would suffice, but one thing is for sure: these wrestlers have proven themselves to be the top this area has to offer. Every drop of blood, sweat and tears shed over the season will all come into fruition starting Friday, and you better believe these five will be put to the ultimate test. And if everything goes right, perhaps one or even more of them will take home the gold.