Lowville, B'ville wrestlers champs
February 29, 2004

 

PAIR OF VICTORIES PUTS AN END TO A DROUGHT FOR SECTION 3 AT STATE FINALS
By Gregg Sarra, Contributing writer
The Post-Standard
February 29, 2004

BUFFALO - Taylor Malone lived the ultimate dream Saturday night. The Lowville senior set out to accomplish two things in the state wrestling championships. He wanted to set the state record for wins in a career. And he wanted to punctuate that career with a state title.

For the record, Malone completed both tasks. He used a takedown 11 seconds into overtime to beat Kevin Rosplock of Cassadaga Valley (Section 6), 5-3, to capture the 125-pound Division II state championship before a capacity crowd of more than 9,000 in the Alumni Arena at University at Buffalo. The win was the 245th of Malone's career - breaking the mark of 244 set by Troy LaSalle's Matt Herrington in 2002.

"I wrestled my best match of the tournament in the final," said Malone, who has a career record of 245-34. "He made his move and I hit a nice counter to take him down. It's an absolutely tremendous feeling." Malone methodically moved through the 125-pound weight class and into the final. He won all four of his bouts by decision.

"That's his style," said Lowville coach Scott Freeman. "He's real quick and physical. He's an extremely talented athlete and sometimes he doesn't win pretty. Sometimes he doesn't put on a show. He just wins and wins."

Malone is the first state champion from Lowville since Randy Morrison earned a title in 1984. Morrison, who is the head coach at Gouvernuer, won his crown 20 years to the day.

"How's that for coincidence?" Freeman said. "It's a nice way to celebrate the crown."

Malone, a three-time sectional champion, has been wrestling since he was 5 years old. He won 35 bouts as a seventh-grader and his highest finish at the state tournament was a fourth-place performance in 11th grade.

"The record is great but it wouldn't have carried as much meaning if I didn't have a state title to go along with it," Malone, who is still deciding between U. Penn, Cortland or Brockport for college. "Now, I have it all." When he hopped onto the podium, a wide smile broke out across his battered face. The accomplishment started to sink in.

"I started to realize what I accomplished at that moment with all those people looking at me," Malone said. "And I was on top."

Malone was the lone Division 2 titlist from Section 3. Junior Shawn Farnham of Baldwinsville defeated Matt Mariacher of Irondequot (Section 5) to claim the 103-pound Division I championship. Farnham, who had a first-round bye, won three straight bouts by decision to win his first state title.

Freshman Kevin Smith is still in search of Mexico's first state champion in school history. Smith lost a 6-4 decision to Brentwood's Kenny Torres at 112 pounds in the Division I tournament. Torres scored a takedown in each of the first two periods against the aggressive.

Smith's best asset - on his feet - was neutralized by the slick Torres. Smith trailed 5-0 before he escaped midway through the second period to his comeback. His takedown at 24 seconds of the third period and a stall point got him within 6-4 before time expired.

"He's going to be the first," Mexico coach Bill Kays said. "He's just too good. I'm very proud of him." Cooperstown junior heavyweight Brendan Hill pinned two of first three opponents and stormed into the 215-pound Division 2 final. Hill dropped a 7-2 decision to junior Matt Mazgaj of Southwestern in the title bout.

The state wrestling sportswriters recognized Mohawk (Section 3) and Spencerport (Section 5) as the No.1 ranked dual meet teams in the state.

Mohawk earned the small schools designation and Spencerport, the large schools crown. Both teams were honored at the center of the mat before the final round.





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