SOMERS, N.Y. —After being snowed out two days in a row, Somers High School finally hosted the 45th Annual Eric D’Agnese Tournament on Jan. 19. The Tuskers finished fourth overall, highlighted by a championship performance from TJ Mauro, who made it clear his victory was about more than personal accolades.
“It’s not for me, it’s for my town,” said Mauro.
Wrestling at 190 pounds, Mauro survived a grueling semifinal, earning a 4–2 double-overtime victory. In the final, he appeared in serious trouble late in the third period, trailing 7–2, before turning the match around in dramatic fashion. Mauro rolled a Granby and stacked his opponent for a stunning pin, igniting the gym.
Despite the raucous celebration, Mauro remained self-critical. “I wrestled terrible,” he said. “It should never have come to that.” Still, he acknowledged the energy in the building. “I appreciate the support.”
At the other end of the weight spectrum, Loghan Dwyer came up short in the finals after a defensive battle. The match was tied 2–1 through two periods before Dwyer fell 5–2 in the end.
“We were both going back and forth, shot after shot,” said Dwyer. The sophomore pointed to one moment in the third period that proved decisive. “I shot when I shouldn’t have. Then he got the takedown. It cost me the match.”
Cal Ehrmann also experienced a narrow defeat in the finals at 144 pounds. After surrendering an early takedown, Ehrmann battled back with two escapes to pull within one at 3–2. Late in the match, he nearly secured a takedown along the edge of the mat, but the call went the other way.
“I’m not sure I got the takedown,” Ehrmann admitted. “If he gave me a bit more forward pressure, maybe I would have got something.”
While settling for second place, the senior remained upbeat. “I’m happy with the way I wrestled today,” he said. With little time to dwell, Ehrmann looked ahead. “I hope to stay strong for my match tomorrow and look to win the counties.”
Derek Kuchinsky found himself in a similar position, finishing second at 150 pounds. His semifinal victory came quickly, as he executed a switch from the bottom, transitioned into a cement mixer, and secured a pin before the end of the first period.
The finals, however, proved more challenging. “It’s a bittersweet feeling,” Kuchinsky said. Still, he embraced the experience. “You only get better if you wrestle better kids.”
Ryan Ball finished third for the Tuskers, while Ethan Steuber and Robbie DeCamp each earned fourth-place medals.
Milestone and Commitment
In the Tuskers' 43-26 victory over Lakeland-Panas on Jan. 15, Cal Ehrmann notched his 100th career victory. During the duel meet, senior Ryan Ball announced his commitment to continue his wrestling career at Vermont State University at Castleton.
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