Despite only winning six of thirteen contested matches, the outcome was more like the one from 30 years ago, as opposed to that from five years ago. New York used wins from a pair of nationally ranked upper-weights to secure a 26-21 victory after being down 21-17 heading into competition at 215 pounds.
Fourth-ranked Kyle Colling (Pioneer, NY) -- headed to Oklahoma in the fall -- dominated Brandon Fedorka (Hopewell) with a 19-3 technical fall in 4:15. Colling had five takedowns and four turns in the match, which had the traditional "undercard" format of two periods with a length of 2-1/2 minutes both starting in the neutral position.
Lance Moore (Johnson City, NY) -- ranked 14th nationally, and a state champion this year -- faced Adam Lazenga (Bethel Park) in the dual meet's final match at 285 pounds. It was a homecoming of sorts, as Moore had placed the previous two years in the small-school Class AA Pennsylvania State Wrestling Tournament while competing at Lackawanna Trail.
Despite finishing third in the big-school state tournament, Lazenga was never truly in the match, as Moore took a 4-1 lead in the first period with two takedowns. In the second period, Moore would score three more takedowns -- with a three-point near fall off the last takedown -- to cement a 13-4 major decision and dual meet victory.
"It felt good," stated Moore when asked about earning a match-sealing dual meet victory. "This match serves as a great catalyst heading into NHSCA Senior Nationals (to be held this coming week)."
The Binghampton University signee also is aware of the emergence of his Bearcat program, which had a pair of All-Americans this year after coming back from the brink of elimination. "This is a part of why I chose to go to BU. I want to be a part of this. With the young talent present, and coming in, we're going to be competitive in the years to come."
Prior to the last two matches, the WPIAL had rallied from behind with a 5-1 run in six consecutive matches decided by two points or less. After 15th ranked Cody Ruggirello (Valley Central) scored a pin in 3:52 against Colton Blumer (West Greene) at 135 pounds to give New York a 14-6 lead through five matches, the response started with a 10-8 victory from Sam Lombardo (Canon-McMillan) over CJ Howard (Pittsford, NY) at 140 pounds.
Next two wrestle was the match at 145 pounds, where state placer Andy Candiello (North Allegheny) scored the upset of the evening with a 4-3 victory over two-time state champion Andy Rodriguez (Central Islip, NY) in the tiebreaker. Candiello secured his lone takedown in the first period effectively countering a Rodriguez attack, finishing on top of a scramble situation. Even though Rodriguez did get a takedown in the second period to force the overtime, Candiello was very effective in fending off the majority of attacks by his opponent.
Regulation ended tied at 3-3, the sudden victory was scoreless, which led to a (ultimate) tiebreaker period. Candiello earned the choice by scoring first, and chose the down position. Within the first ten seconds, he scored the escape and a 4-3 victory -- one that earned him Outstanding Wrestler honors for the WPIAL squad.
"It feels great to beat a two-time state champ," commented Candiello. "It's a testament to how strong wrestling is in the WPIAL (and Pennsylvania). The whole match came down to who wanted it more, the scrambles and the tiebreak period reflected that."
State champion Guiseppi Lanzi (Amsterdam, NY) was able to stem the tide with a 2-1 victory over Zach Shannon (Kiski Area). Lanzi -- undefeated during the 2009-10 season -- used a beautiful throw during the second period to score the go ahead points.
Troy Reaghard (West Allegheny) and Tyler Wilps (Chartiers Valley) won consecutive 2-1 victories for the WPIAL at 160 and 171 pounds respectively. Both wrestlers scored go-ahead takedowns in the second period.
Finally, Eric Shaffer (Greater Latrobe) rallied from a 4-2 deficit after one period against Brandon Contreras (Penfield) to score a 6-5 victory at 189 pounds. After an initial second period takedown by Shaffer, and subsequent Contreras escape, the Greater Latrobe wrestler scored the winning takedown right at the horn to move the Fitzgerald Fieldhouse crowd to their feet.
In between an opening match comeback victory for Ryan Bohince (Penn-Trafford), 9-7, at 112 pounds, and the pin by Ruggirello, it was three convincing wins for wrestlers that saw the top of the podium during their careers.
State champion Damon McQueen (Huntington, NY) defeated Alex Dunaway (McGuffey), 6-1, at 119 pounds. Though the score was not more dominant, McQueen had to have ridden Dunaway for at least three minutes. Three-time state champion Nick Arujau (Syosset, NY) -- also ranked 5th nationally - dominated Carson Brooks (Fox Chapel) with impressive mat wrestling in a 19-0 technical fall at the 3:36 mark in the 125 pound match. A top three finisher all four years in high school, and state champion as a freshman, Frank Martellotti (Shady Side Academy) dominated Taylor Laraia (Newburgh Free Academy, NY) in scoring a 10-3 victory at 130 pounds.
Ruggirello earned Outstanding Wrestler honors for the New York squad with his second period pin from an arm-bar, though it came from the opposite side of how he normally likes to finish the move. "Earning OW honors feels great," said Ruggirello. "It's a testament to the hard work I've put in since falling short in the state final (2-1 to Andrew Lenzi). This sets me up well as I head into the next stages of my career."
New York 26, WPIAL 21
112: Ryan Bohince (Penn-Trafford) dec. Brandon Ling (Penfield, NY) 9-7
119: Damon McQueen (Huntington, NY) dec. Alex Dunaway (McGuffey) 6-1
125: Nick Arujau (Syosset, NY) technical fall Carson Brooks (Fox Chapel) 19-0, 3:36
130: Frank Martellotti (Shady Side Academy) dec. Taylor Laraia (Newburgh Free Academy, NY) 10-3
135: Cody Ruggirello (Valley Central, NY) pin Colton Blumer (West Greene) 3:52
140: Sam Lombardo (Canon-McMillan) dec. CJ Howard (Pittsford, NY) 10-8
145: Andy Candiello (North Allegheny) dec. Andy Rodriguez (Central Islip, NY) 4-3, tb
152: Giuseppi Lanzi (Amsterdam, NY) dec. Zach Shannon (Kiski Area) 2-1
160: Troy Reaghard (West Allegheny) dec. Ryan Fox (Huntington, NY) 2-1
171: Tyler Wilps (Chartiers Valley) dec. Joe Glennon (Lansing, NY) 2-1
189: Eric Shaffer (Greater Latrobe) dec. Brandon Contreras (Penfield, NY) 6-5
215: Kyle Colling (Pioneer, NY) technical fall Brandon Fedorka (Hopewell) 19-3, 4:15
285: Lance Moore (Johnson City, NY) major decision Adam Lazenga (Bethel Park) 13-4
Outstanding Wrestlers:
New York: Cody Ruggirello, Valley Central, 135 pounds
WPIAL: Andy Candiello, North Allegheny, 145 pounds
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