Somers Wrestlers Take 5th in Section One Tournament

Please see tip, pledge and subscribe buttons or my venmo is : @Rich-Monetti

Yorktown Section One Slideshow and Slideshow v Somers

Mahopac Section One Slideshow

On Wednesday February 12 Somers joined wrestlers from all over Westchester and took part in the second day of the Section One tournament. At the County Center, the Tuskers didn’t crown a sectional champ, but the boys still did some damage.

They placed fifth place as a team, Ryan Ball took second for a third consecutive berth in the States, and four other Tuskers made it to the podium.

Up first in the semis, Ryan Ball defeated Thomas Looby Jr. of Brewster by a score of 13-6, and a third consecutive Section One Championship was in his sights. But Amari Payton of North Rockland got in his way.

A close match through the first two periods, Ball had the match get away from him in the final period. There were no excuses, though. “He deserved it,” Ball assured.

The sophomore also took joy in seeing someone else’s hard work pay off. “He got knocked out three straight years and never made it to the states,” said Ball. “It was his moment.”

An easy acceptance, according to the wrestler, because a closeness cuts across the competition. Like family, he clarified, “Everyone is together.”

As for a possible rematch in two weeks, he still relishes sibling rivalry and what it will take to get to the head of the table. “I just got to want it more,” asserted Ball. “That’s it.”

A step down on the podium, Ethan Steuber had a little less shine on his bronze medal. “I had a hard match. I should have wrestled better,” he said of his semifinal loss to Luke Iasiello of Scarsdale. “I don’t think I wasn't as focused as I should have been.”

Giving up points at the end of a 5-1 decision, he admitted to some disappointment after making the states last year. But the grappler also maintained perspective. “I was the third seed so I wasn’t supposed to go again,” he said.

Even so, he kept his head up for the consolation round and went back to the drawing board. “I just stayed strong and worked the stuff that I know works,” said the junior.

An early takedown set the tone for a 5-4 victory, which was somewhat bitter sweet. The 108 pounder defeated his teammate Loghan Dwyer. But the freshman was definitely smiling from the fourth highest level on the podium. Not medaling last year, said Dwyer, “I jumped leaps in the off season, I”m just happy that I reached my goal and placed.”

Of course, the unusual occurrence puts a coach in a precarious position, but Ronnie DiSanto didn’t leave any doubt as to who he was rooting for. “Somers,” he joked.

The same thing happened in the true second match between Ball and Cal Ehrmann. An easy 17-2 nothing victory for Ball, mat side instruction had little chance of being a factor.

Ehrmann held his own for the tournament nonetheless. After losing in the second round on Tuesday, he refused to let the blood round put an end to his season. “The score was tied with five seconds left,” said the junior. “I shot a high crotch, finished to a double leg and took him down.”

Setting him up for the consolation round versus Jonathan Abzun, the Tusker quickly set the tone for victory “Getting the first takedown, I knew he would have to come back,” said Ehrmann.

The Ossining wrestler did not in the 5-2 decision, and the results reinforced what the sport has taught the Tusker. “In order to commit to something and stay committed, always work hard, never give up and keep on doing what you love,” he waxed with wisdom.

Finally, TJ Mauro made it to the second day, and his 5th place finish helped Somers tally the 90 points that made for the top five.