OBSERVER Staff Report

The Fredonia wrestling team found themselves at the top of the Matt Marino Invitational tournament that took place over the weekend, going undefeated at 5-0 with three of those wins coming on Saturday.

Fredonia had a slew of 5-0 wrestlers, including Mike Ball, David Ball, Ceric Kristen, Alex Christy, and Yanni Acevedo. Finding themselves at 4-1 on the weekend were Dalton Gardner, Hunter Larson, and Jack Storm, who had all of his victories by pin. At three wins on the weekend were Cole Golembieski and Antonio Pagan, while Dakota Planty and Matt Lotter each had two pins.

The ‘Billies were up against some stiff competition in the tournament, as they wer ethe only small school, with the rest of the schools considered large schools. Fredonia coach Joe Santilli was proud of his team’s effort.

“I’m extremely pleased with how they all competed,” Santilli said. “Everyone who stepped on the mat battled today, especially going against all larger schools.

Fredonia’s Mike Ball, at 99 pounds, pinned his opponent at the two minute mark, while Hillbilly returner Lucas Hoffman pinned Ian Hahn at the 3:33 mark at 113 pounds. At 120 pounds, Fredonia’s David Ball pinned Garret Spychala at the 3:17 mark, and at 126 pounds, Pagan pinned Mark Lahmphron at 1:37.

At 138 pounds, Fredonia’s Dawson Russo pinned Aidan McKenzie in just 35 seconds, while Dalton Gardner at 145 pounds pinned Samuel Lamendola in 1:01.1. At 170 pounds, Storm pinned Brent Schultz in 38 seconds. At 195 pounds, Lotter pinned Joseph Bassano in 21 seconds, and at 220 pounds, Fredonia’s Alex Christy won in a 13-3 majority decision over Emile Simpson. Dakota Planty, 152 pounds, 160 pound Hunter Larson, 182 pound Ceric Kristan, and 285 pound Yanni Acevedo all won in forfeits.