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One aspect of the Section 3 and state tournaments is watching defending champions battle their way back to the championship bout, then try to repeat their title. Same with the 2016 version on Feb. 13.
In Albany, three Section 3 champs will be chasing another state title: Holland Patent's Hunter Richard (145 pounds) and Alex Herringshaw (170), and Mexico's Theo Powers (120). Adirondack's Derek Spann, a state champ as a freshman and runner-up the past two years, will try for a fourth return to the title bout and a second title (and I'm summing that up kind of casually, when I can't imagine the joy and frustration of those three finals).
Then we have several other guys in Division I and Division II who earned another sectional title and are after that first state title.
In Jack Buell's case, there is history attached if he can succeed. He would be the first from Sherburne-Earlville to win a state title since 1968.
The senior was third at 195 pounds in last year's state tournament. He was not satisfied.
Buell won his second sectional title at 195 with a pin over Sandy Creek sophomore Joe Benedict. Then he bounced with joy around the mat, grinning, celebrating with his coaches and teammates. One of his coaches said they were relieved because Benedict is impressive and they were not sure what to expect.
Seeded first, Buell pinned his way to the finals. In the other semifinal, Benedict faced Cazenovia senior Kevin Frega.
Frega and Benedict are two powerful athletes. Both had spectacular football seasons last fall, Benedict rushing for almost 2,000 yards and leading his team in tackles en route to a Class D title, Frega a two-way force for undefeated Cazenovia's state champion team. They both were first-team All-CNY at linebacker.
They went at each other. Benedict was leading when he finally turned Frega and pinned him in the third period, setting off a celebration. Frega came back to place third.
In the final, Buell and Benedict were 0-0 after one period, then Buell led by 1-0 from an escape. He almost tried a throw, decided against it, but then caught Benedict for the pin.
Buell leaped up in joy. He shook Benedict's hand. He said later he celebrated because he guessed it would be a tough match and he was focused on a state title. Then he and several teammates and former S-E wrestlers gathered around him said their town is hoping for another state champion, the first one since 1969.
Jerry Siefert was the 1969 state champ at 145 pounds. Another S-E wrestler, Rick Koenig, was champ at 138 in 1965.
Buell was named Most Outstanding Wrestler for Division II.
Photographs above: Benedict rides Frega, then pins Frega; Buell goes for the pin against Hannibal's Logan Scott in the quarterfinals; Buell pins Benedict in the final, the two shake hands, and they all receive their medals.
In Albany, three Section 3 champs will be chasing another state title: Holland Patent's Hunter Richard (145 pounds) and Alex Herringshaw (170), and Mexico's Theo Powers (120). Adirondack's Derek Spann, a state champ as a freshman and runner-up the past two years, will try for a fourth return to the title bout and a second title (and I'm summing that up kind of casually, when I can't imagine the joy and frustration of those three finals).
Then we have several other guys in Division I and Division II who earned another sectional title and are after that first state title.
In Jack Buell's case, there is history attached if he can succeed. He would be the first from Sherburne-Earlville to win a state title since 1968.
The senior was third at 195 pounds in last year's state tournament. He was not satisfied.
Buell won his second sectional title at 195 with a pin over Sandy Creek sophomore Joe Benedict. Then he bounced with joy around the mat, grinning, celebrating with his coaches and teammates. One of his coaches said they were relieved because Benedict is impressive and they were not sure what to expect.
Seeded first, Buell pinned his way to the finals. In the other semifinal, Benedict faced Cazenovia senior Kevin Frega.
Frega and Benedict are two powerful athletes. Both had spectacular football seasons last fall, Benedict rushing for almost 2,000 yards and leading his team in tackles en route to a Class D title, Frega a two-way force for undefeated Cazenovia's state champion team. They both were first-team All-CNY at linebacker.
They went at each other. Benedict was leading when he finally turned Frega and pinned him in the third period, setting off a celebration. Frega came back to place third.
In the final, Buell and Benedict were 0-0 after one period, then Buell led by 1-0 from an escape. He almost tried a throw, decided against it, but then caught Benedict for the pin.
Buell leaped up in joy. He shook Benedict's hand. He said later he celebrated because he guessed it would be a tough match and he was focused on a state title. Then he and several teammates and former S-E wrestlers gathered around him said their town is hoping for another state champion, the first one since 1969.
Jerry Siefert was the 1969 state champ at 145 pounds. Another S-E wrestler, Rick Koenig, was champ at 138 in 1965.
Buell was named Most Outstanding Wrestler for Division II.
Photographs above: Benedict rides Frega, then pins Frega; Buell goes for the pin against Hannibal's Logan Scott in the quarterfinals; Buell pins Benedict in the final, the two shake hands, and they all receive their medals.
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