East's Cohen wins first wrestling tournament
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Max Cohen has never taken first place in a wrestling tournament, but last Saturday was his time to shine.

The Williamsville junior co-captain went 3-0 at 125 pounds to win at the Lew-Port Lancer's Pete Rao Memorial Invitational Wrestling Tournament.

"He's taken second in about four tournaments, so this was a really a big thing for him and our program for him to to get his first championship," said East coach Henry Fumerelle.

Cohen beat Fredonia's Alex Lacen, 6-2, in the first round, pinned Maryvale's Jeff DiGati in the first period of the semifinals and defeated North Tonawanda's Derrek Drass, 5-4, in the finals.

Three other East wrestlers placed. At 130, Matt Calleri defeated Lockport's Eugene Washborn and Grand Island's Andrew Lalonde by decision and was pinned by Fredonia's Brandon Strandburg in the finals. Ben Mikac and Jacob Beichner took fourth at 96 and 119, respectively. Zach Horton finished 2-2 at 103. Ernest Jacobs and MP Joseph finished 1-2 at 160 and 189, respectively.

Overall, East finished seventh of 16 teams.

East's only other action was a 44-12 dual loss last Thursday at Section V powerhouse Holley. Holly is ranked 12th in New York State.

"I couldn't have been more proud of my team," said Fumerelle. "It was their senior night and we competed at a high level. We weren't intimidated and let it all hang out."

Mikac and Horton opened with close losses, 8-2 at 96, and 6-4 at buzzer at 103. Ryan Cravatta and Beichner followed with wins (6-2, 112; 9-4, 119, respectively).

Sean Trabert lost a 3-1 decision to top wrestler Matt Sanders at 135. Jason Dieckman won 5-2 at 145. Jacobs picked up a 13-12 decision at 160.

"I felt it was kind of a program builder," said Fumerlle. "I think the future of our program is very bright, so I wanted to show them what they can be and challenge them. Even though we had lost, on the bus ride home there was so much talk about the offseason."

East wrestles duals at 6 p.m. Wednesday at West Seneca East and Friday at Pioneer.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com