Fredonia wrestling team finishes eighth
OBSERVER Staff Reports
The Fredonia wrestling team finished eighth out of 17 teams at the STWOA Holiday Tournament at Dunkirk over the weekend. The finish was characterized as “respectable” by Fredonia coach Joe Santilli, easpecially considering Fredonia was competing with a “shorthanded lineup,” according to Santilli, missing many of its key wrestlers.
Standout performers for the Hillbillies include Giovani Russo, who was the top finisher for Fredonia, winning the 138 pound weight class with a 9-7 decision over Jake Dewolf of Niagara Wheatfield. The win was Russo’s second consecutive win in the Holiday Tournament.
Fredonia’s Dalton Gardner finished second in the 126 pound weight class, after falling 8-2 to the state runner-up, Warren McDougald of Niagara Wheatfield. Jake Skinner took third in the 220 pound weight class for the Hillbillies with four pins, while Yannie Acevedo added “several exciting matches,” according to Santilli, finishing fifth in the 285 pound weight class.
Fredonia will hit the mat next on Thursday at Olean.