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March 6, 2008

Frederick seeks repeat in wrestling

AuSable Valley standout defending champ at 275; 9 other wrestlers returning to states

By JOHN CORYER

PLATTSBURGH -- Section VII, which consists of just five teams, held its own at last year's NYSPHSAA Division II Wrestling Championships by finishing sixth out of 12 sections with 119 points.

With 10 returning wrestlers out of 17 headed to states this year, Section VII is looking to build on that success.

The states will be held at Rochester's Blue Cross Arena on Saturday and Sunday, instead of the usual Friday and Saturday.

"We finished sixth last year as a section and I think we will do fine again this year," said Peru co-head coach Mike Hogan.

"We're returning five state place-winners and other wrestlers who got experience last year. And, for the first time I can remember, every team in our section is represented by at least one competitive wrestler who is capable of placing this year."

Leading the way for the area contingent will be AuSable Valley senior standout Dustin Frederick, who took first in the state a year ago at heavyweight.

Frederick, who will be a serious threat again at 285 pounds, recorded a 2-1 win over Highland's Brad Serini in the semifinals last season before a 51-second pin of Holley's Demetrius Mendes in the title match.

"I have to keep my head into it -- I have a bull's-eye on my chest this year," Frederick said. "I'm treating this like a business trip, and I've been focusing on this since the summer.

"This is my fourth trip to the states and I don't care who is in my bracket. I'm focused on the match at hand.

"It was a great feeling when I won last year and it took a couple of days for it to sink in."

Champlain Valley Athletic Conference and Section VII team champion Beekmantown will be represented by seven matmen.

Sectional champions for the Eagles this year include: Jesse Daniels (103); Pete Avellaneda (112); Koby Barcomb (135); Paden VanWeort (152); and Josh Nephew (171)

In addition, for the first time, two Section VII wrestlers -- Beekmantown's Andy Anderson (125) and Joey Roberts (140) -- were awarded at-large berths for their past and present success. Anderson was a sectional champion at 125 last year and Roberts at 130.

"Andy is a three-time sectional champion and Joey has won the sectionals twice," said Beekmantown head coach Lenny Gadway.

"They both have won over 100 matches in their varsity careers and it's nice to see them get at-large berths. It's good for our section to start seeing our kids get what they deserve."

Avellaneda, just a sophomore, is making his third trip to the states and placed fifth at 103 last year.

"I know I'm in a tough weight class, but my goal is to finish first," he said. "Definitely, I've learned a lot in my past experience at states.

"I'll be less nervous this time, knowing what to expect, and I'm more comfortable. I'm going out there with an open mind."

Nephew, a senior, had a 1-2 record last year at the states at 160 pounds.

"I know I have a shot at doing well," he said. "I've only lost once this year and the 171-pound class at the sectionals was a tough one, with (NAC's) Seth Dezan and (Peru's) Kevin Lashway.

"It opened my eyes last year at the states and I definitely feel I should place. Being a senior, I want to go out with a bang and treat every match like it is my last."

"We've had a great season and at Beekmantown and we have three seniors among the seven going to states," Gadway said, "It is a last hurrah for them.

"But, expectations are high for our entire section. We have eight or nine wrestlers who are capable of placing. They have to put together a good weekend."

Northern Adirondack, which finished second to Beekmantown in both the CVAC and sectionals this year, is sending James Filion (125), Andrew Manor (130) and James Charland (145).

Filion posted a 2-2 record at the states last year at 112, while Charland was 1-2 at 145.

"I ran into the state champion last year in the second round," Charland said. "But, I loved the experience I was able to get. I'm a junior and this is my second trip to the states.

"We wrestle in a lot of difficult tournaments during the season and I'm treating this like another tournament. I have a pretty good draw."

Arik Robinson (96), Patrick Hogan (119), Bryan Bonville (160) and Nate Harrell (189) are Peru's sectional champs this year.

Robinson finished in fourth place at 96 last year, while Bonville was 2-2 at 152 last season.

"We are expecting Robinson and Bonville, in particular, to do well this year," Hogan said.

Rounding out the Section VII team are Saranac's Charles Beshaw (140) and Mike Ahern (215). Beshaw, after losing his first match last year at 135 pounds, came back to place fourth. He is a senior.

"I was kind of mad finishing fourth last year," he said. "It's a big tournament and I was nervous in my first match that I lost. I then pinned my next four opponents.

"I'm sure I'm still going to be a little nervous, but my goal is to win. I'll need to overcome some injuries I've had during the season."

2008 NYSPHSAA

Wrestling Championships

Division II

Section VII first-round draws

96- Arik Robinson (Peru) vs. Ryan D'Arcy (Section IV, Newark Valley).

103- Jesse Daniels (Beekmantown) vs. D.J. Pfluger (Section III, Sandy Creek).

112- Pete Avellaneda (Beekmantown) vs. Joe Smaldone (Section V, Geneva).

119- Patrick Hogan (Peru) vs. Ray Cooper (P, Petrides).

125- James Filion (NAC) vs. Genta Murayama (Section I, Edgemont); Andy Anderson (Beekmantown) vs. Danny Franco (P, Petrides)

130- Andrew Manor (NAC) vs. Randy White (Section II, Duanesburg).

135- Koby Barcomb (Beekmantown) vs. Gerald Keegan (Section XI, Port Jefferson).

140- Charles Beshaw (Saranac) vs. Robert Merchant (Cobleskill-Richmondville); Joey Roberts (Beekmantown) vs. Troy Cunningham (Section X, OFA).

145- James Charland (NAC) vs. Ryan Pullman (Section VIII, Oysterbay).

152- Paden VanWeort (Beekmantown) vs. Ryan Jones (Section III, Phoenix).

160- Bryan Bonville (Peru) vs. John Wrattenw (Section III, Little Falls).

171- Josh Nephew (Beekmantown) vs. Cody Hutcheson (Section V, Bath).

189- Nate Harrell (Peru) vs. Jeff Miller (Section I, Westlake).

215- Mike Ahern (Saranac) vs. Noah Sibley (Section IV, Windsor).

285- Dustin Frederick (AuSable Valley) vs. Jose Rivera (Section IV, Harpursville).

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