The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Panther Wrestlers Take Second At The Ken Baker Classic

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by Ryan Mosher
The Hoosick Falls wrestling team picked up a second place trophy at the Ken Baker Classic wrestling tournament on Saturday, January 26, in Cambridge, as well as coming away with three individual weight class champions. The tournament brought together sixteen different teams, mostly from the WASAREN League, and was a good warm up for next weekend’s Class C Sectional Tournament.

Colby Davendonis works on his Guilderland opponent in the first round of the Ken Baker Classic at Cambridge last Saturday. Davendonis took first place, helping Hoosick Falls take second place as a team. (Ryan Mosher photo)
Colby Davendonis works on his Guilderland opponent in the first round of the Ken Baker Classic at Cambridge last Saturday. Davendonis took first place, helping Hoosick Falls take second place as a team. (Ryan Mosher photo)

At 132 pounds, Colby Davendonis was the Panthers’ first champion of the night. Davendonis won his first three matches by pinning wrestlers from Guilderland, Voorheesville and Granville. In the finals he met up with Logan Brunick of Tamarac. After being down 1-0 through the first two periods, he tied the score with an escape to open the third period. With just under a minute left he got a takedown and held on for the win.
Billy Pine was the second champion of the night at 170 pounds. He pinned his way through all four of his matches, defeating wrestlers from Tamarac, Cambridge, Lake George and Salem. His first period pin of Kyle Eastman from Salem sealed his Ken Baker championship.
The final champion for the Panthers was Brad Burns. After winning his first two matches by pins, Burns took on Tom Clark of Lake George in the final. Burns took an early lead in the first period and never let Clark get too close again, winning 7-5.
Bryan Sherman finished second for the Panthers at 145 pounds, losing a very tough match in the last period to Granville’s Nathaniel Palmer. Sherman won his first three matches with two first period pins and a 13-1 major decision.
Nolan Foster went 3-2 on the day at 113 pounds, taking fourth place. His wins came in the form of two major decisions and a first period pin. Mike Matatt took third place at 138 pounds, winning a tight 1-0 third place match. He was 4-1 on the day. Garrett Wright took third at 160 pounds with a pin in the third period of his final match. He was 3-1 at the tournament.
On Saturday, February 2, the Panthers will host the Class C Tournament as they kick off the post season. The top four place finishers from each weight class will advance to wrestle at the Section II State Qualifier match at the Glens Falls Civic Center.