For the fourth consecutive season, the Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons are undefeated Niagara Frontier League wrestling champions. The title was sewn up Monday as N-W toppled visiting Lewiston-Porter, 68-6, in a make-up match.

“It’s great because everyone on our team works hard for it,” said Falcons junior Bob Malvestuto. “I don’t think anyone practices at it as much as we do.”

First-year head varsity coach Rick Sweney agreed.

“I think the kids take pride in the fact that they work harder than anyone else,” the former N-W assistant coach said. “It’s pretty exciting to be a part of this wrestling family. This school has a great tradition of wrestling and these kids are helping to carry that on.”

The Falcons program has become very close over the last five years or so as the grapplers and coaching staff have remained mostly intact.

“Joe Silluzio is a senior captain now and he was my very first modified wrestler,” former N-W modified and current junior varsity coach Vince Schiffert explained. “It’s kind of neat to see the growth of a young man through the whole program.”

The team also grows in the offseason as a great many of them are members of the Niagara Falls Powercats Wrestling Club and travel to tournaments and clinics throughout the country.

“It’s the combination of them all pushing each other and working at it all year-round,” Sweney said.

On Monday, Pat Lunderman (119), Jehad Ali (130), Tyler Daniels (135), Don Schildhauer (171) and Angelo Malvestuto (189) each won by pin. Bob Malvestuto (160) and Josh Kraft (215) also picked up wins for the Falcons, who benefited from five forfeits. Lew-Port got its only points from 96-pounder Dan Reagan, who registered a pinfall.

Next up for N-W and the rest of Section VI is this weekend’s Class tournaments. Class AAAA is at Clarence, Class AAA at Starpoint, Class AA at Fredonia and Class A at Pine Valley.

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