Wrestling

Gritty Panthers fall to Cornwall

Dragons’ coach Don Blaine becomes first-ever Section Nine 300-duals winner

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY — The twice-postponed wrestling match between Cornwall and Monticello was well worth the wait, as it featured a number of stellar matches and some remarkable milestones.

By night’s end, Cornwall, 15-5 (3-0 Section Nine), had emerged victorious over Monticello 3-3 (2-2 Section Nine) and victory was the 300th recorded by Dragons’ coach Don Blaine, making him the first coach in Section Nine history to reach that storied plateau.

Blaine’s record of 300-106-1 is a product of his 25 years of coaching at Cornwall, a school he once wrestled for. Blaine graduated in 1974.

Monticello coach Ed Kaufmann was well aware of the impending milestone and figured that Cornwall wrestlers would go all out to help their coach achieve the honor. Consequently, Kaufmann challenged his wrestlers to match Cornwall’s intensity in what he said would be a “test of character,” and, in many cases, they did just that.

Following five junior varsity exhibition matches, the night’s bouts began at 152 pounds and Cornwall’s Rob Preiss set the tone early with a pin in 28 seconds over Monticello’s Antonio Cruz. Dragons T.J Ferraiolo (160) and Kyle Ferniolo (171) followed with victories over Monticello’s Anthony D’Abbraccio by a pin in 3:53 and by a technical fall over Nef Leon in 4:36 to get out to an early 17-0 lead.

Monticello recorded its first win of the night as Rich Graham (189) won by a technical fall over Cornwall’s Al Biolsi in 2:32. The Panthers reacted exuberantly to the win. Their excitement grew as Arturo Atanov (215) defeated Steve Bozich by a technical fall in 1:42 and the Panthers closed the gap to 17-12.

Cornwall’s Chris Corkery (275) answered with a quick pin of Cory Waichmann in :20, followed by another quick pin by Luke Roth (96) over Danny Sze. A forfeit at 112 and a loss by a major decision over Jerry Taggart at 112 advanced Cornwall’s tally. Taggart put up a great battle.

Cornwall’s Tylor Lawlor (119) pinned Panther William Latimer in 1:23 as Cornwall’s streak of wins continued until Monticello’s Jordan Papacharolombous (130) pinned Cornwall’s Caleb Kroemer in :55. The win triggered more jubilation from the ardent Panther wrestlers looking on, who knew that two of their best wrestlers were soon to take the mat in seniors John Bowens (135) and Vinny Brugaletta (140).

Both had contributed wins in the team’s prior night victory over Goshen. Brugaletta had wrestled up a class at 152 and had defeated Goshen’s Ty Sutherland by the score of 5-2.

Both would have major fights on their hands in this match against Cornwall.

Bowens (18-9) was pitted against Tom Haddock and won by a major decision. Brugaletta found himself facing Kevin Barry, a wrestler he had never encountered before. Barry proved to be a great contender for Brugaletta, currently ranked third in his class in Section Nine behind Port Jervis’ Sean Floor and Valley Central’s Mike D’Amato.

Still sore from an injury sustained at an early meet at Colonie, Brugaletta required two injury time outs but still prevailed in the end. The kid is toughness personified.

Blaine was very impressed with Barry’s performance against Brugaletta, who he described as one of the top wrestlers in the section.

In the final match, Cornwall’s Weston Rich (145) pinned Kyle Bennett in 4:40.

Monticello has defeated Goshen and New Paltz, while losing to Rondout Valley and Cornwall in its league matches. Kaufmann was very impressed with his team’s efforts as he discussed the matches one by one. He was encouraged by the fact that his seniors showed no let down.

As far as sectionals go, Kaufmann predicts that in addition to Bowens and Brugaletta, the Panthers will send Graham, Atanov, Waichmann, Taggart, Pappacharalombolous and perhaps others who show something special at the Section Nine junior-varsity tournament scheduled for February 9.

The varsity Section Nine tournament will be held at Monroe-Woodbury on February 23.