SOMERS, N.Y. - On Thursday, Dec. 12, Somers hosted Harrison, and a 53-12 victory didn’t really put the Tuskers or the home crowd on edge. But down 9-0 in his match, Derek Kuchinsky still felt weight on his shoulders.
“Everyone on our team had won, and I didn’t want to break the streak,” said the 145-pounder.
So he refused to be the weak link.
“I tired him out. I saw a few things, and I was able to capitalize,” said Kuchinsky after helping his team take every wrestled match on the evening.
Two late forfeits amounting to the 12, the 53 straight points began with Rylan Steuber at 101. The eighth grader sprawled out and strong defense resulted in the opening takedown.
A clasp on the Tusker yielded a 3-1 first period, but the penalty did not deter. He threw in a leg, turned for back points and opening the third with a takedown made for an easy 10-4 victory.
At 108, Robbie DeCamp jumped out with a takedown and rode a half to a 7-3 second period lead. In the down position for the third, the wrestler rolled a reversal and earned a slap of the mat at 1:23.
A 9-0 match, Ethan Steuber didn’t waste much time and defense got him going. The shot coming at him, the 118-pounder did not slur the sprawl.
“I was just quicker,” said the junior, and a half Nelson later, Somers led 15-0.
Half and half it was for Loghan Dwyer too. A takedown and two halves made for a 9-0 lead that turned into a pin with 41 seconds left in the first.
Four wins in a row, and with Ryan Ball on deck, the stampede was not about to slow. A quick takedown and back points paved the way for another easy win, which Ball never takes for granted.
“I take every match one at a time,” said the two-time sectional champ.
Prior to the match, Ball was also honored for his 100 career wins at the conclusion of last season.
Now 27-0, Cal Ehrmann was quick on his feet. Also sprawling for the takedown, the 138-pounder prefers the even-handed part of any match.
“Neutral,” clarified the junior, “you can control the guy and get more points.”
The same goes for a half nelson, and he ran his.
“I arm dragged him. I caught him and stuck him,” said Ehrmann.
With 46 seconds left in the first, the 33-0 lead then brought Kuchinsky dragging the team’s chain, and a takedown and two cradles seemed to put him down for the count.
Of course, the grappler had a different take.
“I’m never out of any match,” assured Kuchinsky.
Onto the second, the Tusker backed up the boast. He scored a takedown and after going neutral for a 9-3 score, Kuchinsky scored a takedown and rolled to back points.
All tied after three, the exhaustion came due. 15 seconds in, Kuchinsky had the pin, and the wrestler was not surprised.
"My confidence never stopped,” he assured.
At 152, Jordan Daniyan found himself in a similar predicament. Down 7-0 and facing the ceiling in the first period, he wanted to preserve the shutout too.
“I was really bridging off my back,” said the sophomore.
Daniyan also had more incentive than just keeping the run going.
“I cannot lose in front of him. I’ll never hear the end of it,” Jordan was referring to his brother Justin, who completed his run as a Somers wrestler last year.
Surviving the scare, Daniyan started the second with a reversal and ran a half to victory. As for Justin, the college freshman had no doubt and took pride in seeing his brother continue the family tradition.
“I was happier watching him win than I’ve ever been winning myself,” said big brother.
The tension kept up for Liam Colderbanks’ match too. No score after one, the 160-pounder fell behind when he gave up control. But the sophomore scored a takedown and went into the third with a 3-1 lead. Tooth and nail from there, Colderbanks scored a takedown and took the match 5-2.\
And TJ Mauro provided the final mercy.
“I was aggressive and tried to score some points,” said the 170-pounder.
A bit of an understatement, he ran up an 11-0 tally before getting his team another six and did so with purpose.
“I just got promoted to captain,” explained Mauro. “I wanted to do well for my teammates and show them what we’re going for.”
The end of the line forfeits didn’t dampen the spirits either and has the team ready for more.
“We’re looking forward to next week, and the Section One dual meet,” concluded Kuchinsky.
Wrestling Scoreboard
Nanuet Dual Meet Tournament
The Tuskers were on the road on Saturday, Dec. 7, finishing 2-3 on the day and taking 3rd place at Nanuet High School.
Mamaroneck Tournament
On Saturday, Dec. 14, Somers grapplers stood tall against tough competition at Hommocks Middle School. Captains TJ Mauro and Ryan Ball both earned tournament champion honors and helped Somers finish 3rd overall out a field of 16 teams.
Additional wrestling scores courtesy of Chris Ball.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here