Published: March 09, 2008 12:23 am      

HS WRESTLING: McGregor, King advance to state semifinals

ROCHESTER — Tonawanda’s Kyle McGregor and Wilson’s Matt King salvaged a somewhat disappointing day for local Section VI wrestlers by posting quarterfinal victories in their respective divisions Saturday at the 2008 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Wrestling Tournament, which concludes today at the Blue Cross Arena.

McGregor improved to 40-0 this season at 103 pounds with convincing first- and second-round tournament wins over fellow sophomore Colin Coffey of Babylon (Section XI), by a 15-0 technical fall score and a 15-2 major decision win over junior Ken Eaton of Adirondack (III).

“It’s fun out here. We’re having a blast,” beamed Warriors four-year head coach Jim Schraufstetter. “I got the chills after his last match. Kyle knows where he’s been and he knows where he wants to go.”

McGregor said he was pleased with his effort but had his attention fixed on his semifinal opponent today, eighth-grader Quinton Murphy of nearby Holley (V). Schraufstetter said the pair have wrestled to a draw in camps in the past.

“I don’t know too much about him, but he’s going to be tough. I really want to win a state title. These wins (Saturday) mean so much in front of so many people.”

The opening day of the two-day state tournament attracted a large audience, filling nearly every one of the arena’s 12,500 seats.

King, who earlier this season broke 1996 Lakemen graduate Ben Faery’s record of 117 career wins, opened his Division I state title quest at 171 pounds by pinning sophomore Zak Griffith of Warsaw (V) in 5 minutes, 52 seconds. In the quarterfinals, King disposed of fellow senior Sean Paul of Dobbs Ferry (I) by a 6-2 decision.

This afternoon, King will compete in the state semifinals against scrappy sophomore Tyler Beckwith of Greene (IV), who also posted impressive first- and second-round wins (technical fall and major decision). Both Division I and II finals begin at 6 p.m. today.

Royalton-Hartland’s Jeff Brigham, who recorded his milestone 100th varsity win earlier this season for his coach-stepdad Kevin Lawson, opened his 140-pound state title bid with a 3-2 victory over freshman Nick Lalone of Cato Meridian (III). However, the Rams senior lost his quarterfinal match to senior Robert Merchant of Cobleskill (II), 10-4.

Rounding out Division II action, Medina senior Eric Valez, third a year ago, won his 125-pound quarterfinal match against junior Brett Sewalt of Waverly (IV), 11-4. He’ll take on senior Garrett Morabito of Susquehanna Valley (IV) in today’s semifinal. Also for head coach Eric Gross’ Mustangs, sophomore Dominic Montesanti (130) and freshman Dylan Duncanson (135) both opened the tourney with a loss, then won two consolation matches. Medina seniors Nick Joy (160) and senior Richard Dawson (189) both opened with a win, then lost in the quarterfinals.

The news was even worse for other locals, especially a strong and optimistic contingent of Division I wrestlers from Niagara-Wheatfield, led by brothers, Angelo, Bobby and Joey Malvestuto. The trio made history two weeks ago at the 2008 Section VI Division I Wrestling Championships at Kenmore West High School, becoming only the second three-brother combination in the section’s history to earn a berth in the state meet.

Fittingly, the siblings fared equally, but the bad news was that two of the three dropped out of the tourney after first- and second-round losses, as did the Falcons’ other VI champion, senior Jehad Ali (119 pounds).

Freshman Joey Malvestuto (103) lost by major decision (9-0) to senior Jose Vasquez of Huntington (XI), then lost his consolation match to junior David Hall of Fulton (III), 5-4. Junior Bob Malvestuto (152) was pinned by division semifinalist Rob Morey of Amsterdam (II) in 3:04, then lost to senior Paul Dilandro of Westhampton Beach (XI), 6-4. Sophomore Angelo Malvestuto (171) lost to junior Brendan Dwyer of Pittsford (V), 7-5; but won a 2-1 decision over junior John Velieri of Hilton (V) in the consolation round. Ali lost by major decision (13-3) to senior Stephen Bonanno of Wantagh (VIII), then lost by 6-5 to senior Alex Marianetti of Greece-Athena.

Kenmore West junior Nate Skiba opened with a win at 140 pounds, posting an 8-5 decision over senior Keifer Smyder of Chenango Forks (IV). Skiba, who broke 1995 Blue Devils graduate Mike Pacillo’s all-time wins mark of 123 earlier this season, then lost by major decision (11-3) to junior Zach Clemente of LaSalle (II).

Among those heading the Section VI contingent was volunteer scorekeeper Herman Wooten of Clarence, president of the prestigious Niagara Frontier Wrestling Officials Association.

Contact editor John D’Onofrio at 439-9222, ext. 6247.