The Highland High School boys wrestling team visited Ulster County Community College this past weekend for the Section Nine Division Two Championships. In a day of intense emotions, the Huskies were up against tough wrestlers, but wouldn’t take losing lightly.

The Highland Huskies started off the division two championships in the 106 lbs division. Jack Vett was up for Highland, competing against Alyssa Reed. Reed pinned Vett 1:37 into the third period of the match, pushing Vett down to the consolation bracket. Even with a bye to start off the bracket, Vett fell to Quintin Herzog from Eldred-Liberty.

Tyler McCarthy and Peter Bender took the mat for the Huskies during the 113 lbs division.

With a bye prior, McCarthy was defeated in the third match of the division, falling to Lucas Ospina from Rondout Valley 19 seconds into the match. Bender, on the other hand, also began with a bye. However, during his semifinals match, Bender’s opponent, Steven Blakely from Onteora fell with one minute left in the match. Bender went on to lose the section title to Ryan Ross from Port Jervis, giving him second place in the 113 lbs division. McCarthy was moved to the consolation bracket, but was defeated in his first match against Blakely.

For 120, Chris Gatto and Sean Hernandez were entered into competition for the Huskies. Gatto defeated Joaquin Lizarondo from Chester with a pin 3:44 in. Gatto was up against Maddox McCormick for his semifinal match, but fell at 3:29.

Although losing the winners bracket, Gatto fought through the consolation bracket to come out on top. After winning the first match, Gatto pinned Brenon Thiel from Onteora at 4:00, giving him third place in the division.
Hernandez defeated Vance Dyke from Saugerties during his quarterfinal match, but lost to Gatto in the semifinals.

Hunter Lass was the only competitor for Highland in the 126 lbs division, but lost to Cole Nelson from Red Hook after being pinned 1:43 into the third period. Lass then won his first match in the consolation bracket, but lost to Wyatt Konjas from Onteora, who ultimately went on to win third place.

Ayden Bahr was up next in the 132 lbs division, but was up against a teammate, John Antonelli. Although Antonelli goes to Marlboro High School, he is coached by Highland Coach John MacFarland. Antonelli moved through the brackets all the way to the finals, but was defeated by Joey Amato from Port Jervis, leaving him in second place. Antonelli’s day wasn’t over, as his finals match earned the most exciting match award at the end of the tournament.

Bahr defeated Mitch Hazzard from Chester during his first consolation match, but lost to Mark Bruckenstein from Chester in the semifinal match.

Highland offered three wrestlers into the 145 lbs division: Logan Zehr, Joe Carpico and Nicholas Violaris. Zehr started off the bracket with a bye, and ended up competing against Carpico, who had just defeated Matthew Dunker from Eldred-Liberty with a pin at 54 seconds. Zehr defeated Carpico 6-3, but went on to lose the section final to Tyler Benincasa from Red Hook.

Violaris fell to Logan Zappolo in the quarterfinal at 36 seconds, putting him into the consolation bracket. Both Violaris and Carpico lost in the bracket.

Logan Smith started off the 152 lbs bracket for the Huskies during the semifinals, pinning Bryan Sahad from Chester at 1:13. Smith went on to defeat DJ Perrin from Port Jervis 13-5, but was pinned at 1:38 by Nick Ross from Onteora who went on to win the title. Smith took second place.

“It was a good experience and I worked really hard,” Smith said. “Next year is going to be the year for me and my teammates. I am going to get that final place.”

Danny Fratz represented the Huskies in the 170 lbs bracket, but was pinned by Kwalin Gonzalez from Chester. Fratz held strongly through the consolation bracket, but ultimately was defeated in the finals by Maverick Sanchez from Red Hook, 10-1.

Adain Maduro was next in the 182 lbs bracket, and made it through to the finals. In the quarterfinals, Maduro pinned Dylan Poley from Fallsburg 27 seconds in. In the semis, Maduro went on to defeat Cole Greco from Chester 13-7, but lost 15-4 to Hayden Campolong from Red Hook in the finals, leaving Maduro to accept second place.

The 195 lb division was taken by Ben Swart for the Huskies, but lost in the quarterfinals by Connor Boyer from James O’Neill. Swart passed the quarterfinal round in the consolation bracket, but lost to Erik Quick-12 from Port Jervis in the semifinals, knocking Swart out of the tournament.
Shamar Gittens was last to represent the Huskies, but fought to the finish.

After beginning the tournament with a bye, Gittens beat Zane Grant from Saugerties with a pin at 47 seconds. In his semifinal match, Gittens pinned John Perez from Highland, moving him onto the finals. Sadly, Gittens lost 5-2 to Devin McGovern from Chester.

All in all, Highland earned fourth place in the sectional tournament with 152 points, and five second place finishers.

“We did have a lot of bridesmaids today which kind of stinks,” assistant Coach Sal Mazzella said. “We have a lot of good freshman, sophomores and juniors coming back who earned all section, so that is how we are really going to push forward into next season and where we will shift our focus.”