OBSERVER Staff Report

GRAND ISLAND — The Fredonia wrestling team continues to shine during the 2019-20 season, this time taking a third place finish at the end of the Grand Island Vikings Duals tournament. The most impressive thing about Fredonia’s finish in the 11-team competition is that they did it without one of their best, as Dalton Gardner will be forced to miss the rest of the season with an injury.

“This was our first competition without Dalton (Gardner),” said Fredonia coach Joe Santilli. “The team was able to rally, regroup, and give a great effort.”

The Hillbillies finished 4-1, beating Lake Shore 60-20, East Aurora 72-12, Niagara Falls 40-32, and Frontier 48-33. Their only lost came against Iroquois, who won the tournament, in a close match that came down to the wire, with Iroquois taking the match, 39-36. Fredonia’s David Ball was close to ending the match on a pin, but was not quite able to secure the pin, giving Iroquois the decisive match.

“That was an outstanding match. David (Ball) almost pinned another state representative, which would’ve given us a win on criteria,” Santilli said.

Fredonia’s final win over Frontier was the first time they have beaten Frontier in “a couple years,” according to Santilli.

This tournament proved vital in more than just the outcome, as the ‘Billies will get ready to square off in the Section VI Dual Championship on Saturday, Jan. 4, where they will be the three seed. Fredonia has a chance to face some familiar competition in that tournament.

“We’ll face Lake Shore in the opening round and if we take are of business, we get another shot against Iroquois,” Santilli said.

David Ball, who went 5-0 for Fredonia, was named the tournament’s most outstanding wrestler. Also going undefeated for Fredonia was Cole Golembieski (5-0), Ceric Kristan (5-0), Alex Christy (5-0), Jake Skinner (3-0), and Yanni Acevedo (2-0). Mike Ball, Lucas Hoffman, and Hunter Larson each went 4-1, while Antonio Pagan and Jack Storm each won three matches.

Fredonia, currently 18-3 on the year, has faced some of the toughest competition that Section V and VI have to offer, and will get another shot to prove themselves on Saturday.

“We’re looking forward to keeping a good season going,” Santilli said.