by Ryan Mosher
The Hoosick Falls wrestling team took five wrestlers to the Section II Championships this past weekend, coming home with two place finishers. Jordan Robichaud, David Couch, Jacob Pearson, Brad Burns and Matt Fogarty traveled to the Glens Falls Civic Center to represent the Panthers.
Pearson, competing in the 135 pound weight class, faced off with Chris DiSonnel of Cohoes in the quarterfinal round. DiSonnel had already lost once at the hands of Pearson this season, a 6-4 decision back in December. This match would be another tough one for both wrestlers, but DiSonnel was able to outscore Pearson 6-2, sending Pearson to the consolation bracket. There he met Dylan Struffolino, whom he pinned quickly in the first period. That win sent him on to meet Hudson Falls’ Kory Harrington. Unfortunately for the Panther wrestler, he would see his season come to end in a 5-2 defeat. Pearson finished the season with a 22-12 record.
Freshman Brad Burns entered the weekend coming off a second place finish at the Class C championships. If he was nervous, it didn’t show in his first match as he went the distance and beat Dylan Slater of Canajoharie 6-1. In the
semi-finals, he faced off against #2 seed Brandyn Ainsworth of Broadalbin-Perth. In a very close match, Burns could not match the late point that Ainsworth scored and was defeated 2-1. This loss sent Burns to the consolation bracket semi-final, where he met Nick Valastro of Hudson Falls. In that match he struggled with the Hudson Falls senior and lost 7-3. Despite that loss, Burns would have one more match, to determine the 5th and 6th place finishes. His opponent here would be David Northshield of Salem, whom he had defeated just two weeks ago, 3-1. This match would be even closer, with Burns scoring in the third period and holding off Northshield to take a 3-2 win and claim 5th place. Burns finished the season with a 26-8 record.
Senior Matt Fogarty was back once again at the Civic Center competing in the championships. After a bye in the first round he faced off against Nick Waytkus of Hudson Falls. Fogarty fought hard but couldn’t get out from a pin in the third period. The loss sent Fogarty to do battle with Lucas Nelson of Warrensburg. He would get a pin in this match just as time was set to expire in the second period. Next up would be Tamarac’s Brendan Goyer. The two WASAREN League opponents would battle it out into the third period before Fogarty seemed to have Goyer’s number. With 1:28 left and Goyer on his back, the referee hit the mat, leading Fogarty and others to believe that it was a pin and the match was over. Unfortunately it turned out that Goyer’s shoulder was injured, and he had to be helped off the mat. Fogarty was awarded the win by injury default. In the consolation semi-final, Joel Murry of Cobleskill-Richmondville handed Fogarty a 9-3 defeat. This would send him to the 5th and 6th place match against Austin DeBell of Johnstown. Fogarty could not get the pin but easily handed his opponent an 11-4 loss to become second Panther to take 5th place. His final record for the year was 27-9.