| NEW YORK STATE WRESTLING PREVIEW By Jim & Tony Nordland 96 pounds- The prohibitive favorite here is returning NYS bronze medallist Lou Ruggirello(VC-9) who will face PJ Gillespie(LB-8) in a quarterfinal bout. His semifinal opponent should be Craig Storch of Horseheads-4 In the bottom bracket look for the survivor to be among Corey Jantzen(SWR-11), Derrick Bartlett(Fult-3), Pete Achilles(Geneva-5) and Shawn Brown(Canton-10). 103 pounds- A semifinal battle between Shawn Farnham(B'Ville-3) and Josh Madison(LaSalle-2) in the upper bracket should produce one finalist. Lodged in the bottom tier are Kyle Borschoff(Pitt-5), Dan Blaine(UE-4) and tough Peppy Cabrera(Brent-11). 112 pounds- Returning runner-up Kevin Smith(Mex-3) should advance in the upper bracket but he must get past Jason Borschoff(Pitt-5) and Justin Walp(LPort-6). In the bottom half look for Ken Torres(Brent-11) to face the opening bout winner between Steve DeLorenzo(Mac-8) or Sean Bauer(VC-9). Other challengers are Hunter Meys(Sh-2) and Ryan McCormick(JC-4). 119 pounds- Three-time championTroy Nickerson(CF-4) should face John Payne(Queens-2) in the bottom bracket semifinal. In the top half is two-time runner-up Tom Magnani(Islip-11) and Darrell Ford(MV-9) with the winner to face Nickerson. If Magnani advances, he will face Nickerson in the finals for the third consecutive time. 125 pounds- Kyle Ingraham(Can-5) has a tough opening prelim with Andrew Stella(SH-6) with the winner to face Chris Hatzidakis(25-6) of St. Anthony's-C. Lodged in the bottom half are Section Nine's MOW winner Phil Szumlaski(NFA) who will face Antony LoGuidice(WF-11) in another preliminary bout. 130 pounds- Defending champion Gregor Gillespie(42-0) of Web-Sch-5 faces a tough opening bout foe in Steve Wiktorek(JC-4). Bronze medallist Shawn Riley(30-0) of Hunt-11 is matched with tough Joe Whitaker(Queens-2) in the bottom bracket. Look for a Gillespie-Riley rematch and an action packed final Saturday. 135 pounds- In the top bracket Kyle Fried(MW-9) has an opening bout with highly-touted Justin Hellwig(Col-2). Waiting for that winner will be semifinal opponent Nate Patterson(Wayne-5). The bottom bracket has talented Derrick Smith(Mexico-3) who must get past either Trevor Baney(EI-11), Scott Osman(UE-4) or Spencer Cook(EM-8). 140 pounds- Sophomore Ryan Patrovich(Islip-11) will face NYS placewinner Martino Barletta(Fowler-3) in an opening match with the winner to face Tom Moriarty(LB-8). Lodged in the loaded bottom bracket are Brandon Monin(Lan-6), Ryan Felton(JC-4) and returning third placer Mike Roberts(Col-2). 145 pounds- Defending champion Trevor Chinn(Can-5) should repeat and claimed his fifth state medal. He will face the winner of Jose Rodriquez(LB-8) and Jon Bonilla-Bowman(ERam-1) bout. His finals opponent will be either John Gambino(ME-4) or the survivor of the possible quarterfinal battle between Josh Eagan(NFalls-6) or highly regarded Shaheim Bradshaw(Hunt-11). 152 pounds- Returning runner-up junior Alton Lucas(37-2) of WB-11 is the favorite here. He will face Long Island rival Nakyle Bethay(Farm-8) in a preliminary bout. Waiting for that wiiner will be Chaminade's Brian McMenamin(22-4) in a quarterfinal match. Lucas will probably face Ryan Fleming(46-0) of Mexico-3 in a rugged semifinal bout. Possible finalists are Mark Bloom(Gen-5), John Foley(PJervis-9) or Steve Johnas(Nisk-2). 160 pounds- Two-time state king Chris Hand(WPt-4) will be tough to beat. Hand will face the winner of the Zach Bogardus(37-3,100-14) of Fulton-3 and Neil Franciotti(36-1,101-20) of Chaminade-C opening bout. Lodged in the bottom bracket are potential semifinal opponents, Dave McCarty(LaSalle-2) and tough Anthony Rivera(Brent-11), with the winner to face Hand in the final. 171 pounds- The upper bracket has state ranked and returning placewinner Ricky Scott of Section Nine power Valley Central. He will meet the winner of the Mike Vant(Fult-3) and Mark Maglione(Sar-2) bout ina semifinal matchup. The bottom half has Long Island standouts, juniors Matt DeLuca(EM-3) and John Barone(WF-11), John Cappa(23-3) of St.A-C along with talented Rob Orleski(ME-4). 189 pounds- Unbeaten Alex Baxter(39-0) of Spencerport-5 faces Charles Taylor(ESM-3) in a preliminary bout.Waiting for that winner will be either Matt Riddle(Sar-2), Alex Kaufmann(PJerv-9) or Jim Kenny(27-6) of Chaminade-C. In the loaded bottom bracket Ron Lanzillotta(Mass-8) faces Jon Jones(UE-4). Probable semifinalist should be junior Jack Sullivan(Hunt-11) in an entertaining matchup against the above victor. 215 pounds- Zack Zerniak(FAcad-10) has a tough opening bout with Josh Johns(Horse-4). Other key matchups are Pierre Delva(Hunt-11) with Eric Jones(ESM-3). Watch for the survivor of the semifinal battle between Tom Daddino(Sew-8) and placewinner Ed Bordas(VC-9) to face Zerniak in the final. 275 pounds- Reigning champion Arthur Jones(UE-4) faces tough opening opponent in Steve Cuff(NFA-9). Possible semifinalist opponent could be Jason Weber(OPk-6) or Phil Beyers(GCh-5). In the other bracket is returning state runner-up Justin Tougas(GFalls-2) who meets Dave Sanders(Liv-3).In an all Long Island opening bout watch for the Ken Kennedy(27-2) of Sachem-11 and Vin Minnici(Plain-8) winner to square off with Tougas in the other semifinal bout. Team Title- Section Four, the defending team champion should repeat, if they falter look for a balanced squad from Section Eleven to claim a record 15th sectional crown. Other strong contingents are Section Five, Section Two, Section Three and Section Eight. www.thematslap.com |