|
|
|
It’s official: the monkey is finally off the collective back of the Midlakes wrestling team.
The blinding glare of whipping red lights lit the quiet streets of Clifton Springs and the frightening scream of fire engine whistles signaled the history had just been carved out by the Screaming Eagle grapplers.
For the first-time in their school’s history, Midlakes were crowned sectional team champions. In the process, Section 5 Class BBB Coach of the Year Steve Howcroft and his Columbia-and-black machine dethroned reigning three-time sectional champion Palmyra-Macedon — Howcroft’s alma mater where he won a sectional title himself in the 135-pound bracket during the 1998 season. The Red Raiders had not only won sectional titles during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons, but also another during the 2006 campaign under the tutelage of current head coach Brian Quick, who had Howcroft as an assistant before he took over as skipper at Midlakes four years ago.
Certainly, though, Midlakes has relished in grappling glory in their 50-plus year history. Back in 1963, Ray Kenney became the school's first-ever sectional titlist, winning the 138-pound division. Nineteen total athletes have won 29 total titles since, but never a collaboration to warrant that all too sought after slab of lumber each squad longs to hoist at the end of a grueling two-day event.
But at Genesee Valley Community College last weekend, Howcroft’s young men used their finest performances of the season and the school’s greatest individual performance to etch their names in wrestling lore. Not only did 12 of 16 Screaming Eagles place, but the team crowned its most-ever individual sectional champions in a single season. Sean Peacock (133 lbs.), Ralph Mateo III (120 lbs.) each repeated as champs, Conner Fox (152 lbs.) won his third-straight crown, and both Tyler Smith (195 lbs.) and Collin Fox (138 lbs.) won their first-ever titles. For Conner Fox, winning his third-straight sectional title Dennis Coston as the only two in school history to win three sectional titles. Coston won the 145-pound title in 1964, and won the 154-pound class in 1965 and 1966.
Ranked No. 1 in New York state with a 15-1 overall record as of standings through Jan. 22, Midlakes and the rest of Section 5 will now prepare for the premier event of the season — the Section 5 Super Sectionals. The event, held at RIT College’s Gordon Field House in Rochester, will begin this Friday and commence Saturday evening. Divisions will be divided into large and small school. There are 23 teams in the large division and 55 small schools.
It’s official: the monkey is finally off the collective back of the Midlakes wrestling team.
The blinding glare of whipping red lights lit the quiet streets of Clifton Springs and the frightening scream of fire engine whistles signaled the history had just been carved out by the Screaming Eagle grapplers.
For the first-time in their school’s history, Midlakes were crowned sectional team champions. In the process, Section 5 Class BBB Coach of the Year Steve Howcroft and his Columbia-and-black machine dethroned reigning three-time sectional champion Palmyra-Macedon — Howcroft’s alma mater where he won a sectional title himself in the 135-pound bracket during the 1998 season. The Red Raiders had not only won sectional titles during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons, but also another during the 2006 campaign under the tutelage of current head coach Brian Quick, who had Howcroft as an assistant before he took over as skipper at Midlakes four years ago.
Certainly, though, Midlakes has relished in grappling glory in their 50-plus year history. Back in 1963, Ray Kenney became the school's first-ever sectional titlist, winning the 138-pound division. Nineteen total athletes have won 29 total titles since, but never a collaboration to warrant that all too sought after slab of lumber each squad longs to hoist at the end of a grueling two-day event.
But at Genesee Valley Community College last weekend, Howcroft’s young men used their finest performances of the season and the school’s greatest individual performance to etch their names in wrestling lore. Not only did 12 of 16 Screaming Eagles place, but the team crowned its most-ever individual sectional champions in a single season. Sean Peacock (133 lbs.), Ralph Mateo III (120 lbs.) each repeated as champs, Conner Fox (152 lbs.) won his third-straight crown, and both Tyler Smith (195 lbs.) and Collin Fox (138 lbs.) won their first-ever titles. For Conner Fox, winning his third-straight sectional title Dennis Coston as the only two in school history to win three sectional titles. Coston won the 145-pound title in 1964, and won the 154-pound class in 1965 and 1966.
Ranked No. 1 in New York state with a 15-1 overall record as of standings through Jan. 22, Midlakes and the rest of Section 5 will now prepare for the premier event of the season — the Section 5 Super Sectionals. The event, held at RIT College’s Gordon Field House in Rochester, will begin this Friday and commence Saturday evening. Divisions will be divided into large and small school. There are 23 teams in the large division and 55 small schools.
