ALBANY — The Fredonia Hillbillies wrestling team finished its season with four athletes competing at the State Championships in Albany. All four wrestlers, David Ball, Ceric Kristan, Alex Christy and Jake Skinner made it to the wrestle backs and Ball, Kristan and Skinner all made the podium.

This trip to Albany was special for assistant coach Jude Gardner, who after almost two decades as a coach made his last trip as a coach. On his last trip, David Ball told coach Gardner that he would get a win for him and that’s exactly how he ended the season, with a win at states and gave his coach a hug.

“For his last match David Ball went out and got a win for coach Jude,” stated Fredonia head coach Joe Santilli. “It was great, he told him he would do it for him and he got it done, it was a wonderful experience.”

Ball had the best placement of any of the competing Hillbillies as he was able to get fifth place. Only a junior, Ball will get another chance to train all year with hopes of getting a better placement in his senior and final season. Ball finished the weekend 4-2 and his season record was 37-6.

Ceric Kristan joined Ball as the other Hillbillies’ underclassmen to make it to Albany. In Kristan’s match for seventh place he was slammed on his shoulder and his opponent was not penalized and, unfortunately Kristan was unable to finish the match. Kristan finished the weekend in eighth place and went 2-3, while having an overall record of 42-6 this season.

Senior Jake Skinner matched Kristan’s eighth place finish, while also going 2-3 on the weekend. Skinner finished his career for the Hillbillies going 115-47 overall and had a record of 29-6 this year.

Alex Christy did not reach the podium, but wrestled a strong weekend going 1-2. Christy went 41-7 his senior year, coming a long way from his first year. Overall for his career, Christy compiled a 87-48 record.

“Good performances by the guys,” stated Coach Santilli. “They worked hard to get to this place in their careers. I know Alex Christy worked especially hard to turn it around and to compete on the big stage it’s great.”

Out of the 127 Division 2 schools competing at the tournament, Fredonia High School finished 34th overall.

“This particular team it was a successful season,” added Coach Santilli. “Finished pretty strong at State Championships and tomorrow we start looking to next season. Unfortunately, without coach Jude, he’s the glue of the program.”

Fredonia sophomore, Hunter Larson, just missed out on qualifying for the state tournament, but was able to go and watch the tournament with the team this year. According to coach Santilli, Larson was able to see what it takes to get there and Larson realizes that he can compete at that level.