Somers Takes Second Place in the Eric D'Agnese Memorial Somers Tournament

On Saturday January 6, the wrestling team hosted the Eric D'Agnese Memorial Somers Tournament, and when the day ended, the Tuskers definitely scored some hardware. The result was a second place finish, and the gold began at 116 pounds.

For the second consecutive year Ryan Ball won the tournament and did so by beating Nate Smith of Darien by a score of 10-4. “He made it look easy,” said Coach Ron DiSanto.

But the coach was quick to point out that appearances can be deceiving. Sick the last few days, said DiSanto, “The fact that he even came here to wrestle shows a lot of heart and then to win it shows guts.”

Ball began with a first period takedown, and from there, it was mostly reversals. Smith and Ball traded places to close the first, and Ball went up 8-2 in the second on a reversal and a near fall.

A reversal each for both wrestlers in the third, Ball got the outcome he wanted by being unexpected. “I make sure my opponents don’t know what’s coming their way,” said the first place finisher.

At the top of the podium, Ball was joined by Liam Dwyer after he defeated TJ Stazzone of Kings Park. A real dogfight, the 2-0 third period score really put Dwyer to the test, according to DiSanto. “Winning a low scoring match takes intensity and focus,” said the coach.

Good strategy doesn’t hurt either. “We knew Stazzone was really good on top,” said DiSanto.

So Dwyer chose neutral to start the third. On his feet, the 124 pounder got a takedown, let Stazzone up and got another takedown. “I snapped him down and got behind,” said Dwyer, who also won the tournament’s most outstanding wrestler award.

Robert Vrabel didn’t have a bad showing either. Unfortunately, the 145 pounder was reversed in the final seconds for a 3-1 loss, and DiSanto could see a silver medal wasn’t much consolation to the senior. “He’s very competitive. He’s our captain from North Salem, so he really wanted it. But I’m proud of him regardless of the result,” said DiSanto.

The finals over, Justin Daniyan wrestled for third place. At 190, Daniyan fell behind early when George McKigney got the opening takedown. But the Tusker quickly turned the tables. “He had my leg so I wrapped my leg around his, grabbed his head and just leaned back,” Daniyan described a Peterson.

Back points included, the senior would take a 5-3 lead in second and then scored a reversal. Up 7-3, Daniyan surrendered control and was taken down. But he closed the second period with a takedown and went into the third with a 9-6 lead.

Nonetheless, McKigney got the takedown to open the third and the drama was pretty thick at 9-8. So Daniyan went to work. He shot a takedown, and after sending McKigney to his back, the prevent defense was in order. “There was no way he was going to score five points in 45 seconds,” said Daniyan.

McKigney did escape and get a takedown, though, and the 14-11 score didn’t look so “no way” when the Kings Park wrestler ran a half. “All the time we spend defending half nelsons,” said Daniyan, “I knew I better not lose.”

Up to the task, the clock ran out, but no matter the finish, Daniyan always makes sure the real final score is in his favor. “As long as you know that you left 100% on the mat, then you’re still a winner,” he assured.

Cal Ehrmann included, the 124 pounder also took third and partly credited his explosiveness on the stand up for his 9-2 victory. A steady performance throughout nonetheless, his snap down to a front headlock and go behind was a memorable moment for the sophomore.

So was just getting this far. “Last year I didn't even wrestle in the tournament, but I’ve spent a lot of time in the off-season practicing. So taking 3rd shows me just how much I have improved,” said Ehrmann.

At the same time, Ehrmann has more on his mind than individual accolades, according to his coach. "He is respectful to his coaches and teammates, always strives to improve, and always lends a helping hand off the mat," said DiSanto.

A sentiment that Derek Kuchinsky believes a staple of the sport of wrestling. “Nobody thinks wrestling is a team sport, but it really is,” the 131 pounder asserted. “Your teammates might not be with you on the mat. But they are with you every step of the way, always helping you to get better.”

On his own, though, his efforts were good for 5th place. An injury in the quarterfinals relegated him to the wrestle-backs, but Kuchinsky was proud of his perseverance. “I was able to battle back and still place,” he said.

Glad to add to the final team tally too, TJ Mauro and Ethan Steuber ’s fifth place medal closed the day and was definitely part overall success.