Roster numbers aid South's chance to earn victories
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Roster numbers are up at Williamsville South, which will hopefully translate into victories. South was winless last year, going 0-10.

Billies coach Sean Leaderstorf said there are 27 wrestlers between varsity and JV. Three years ago, only 11 tried out.

"It definitely adds to the competition," said Leaderstorf.

South also has a modified wrestling program for the first time in seven years, coached by Paul Pignataro.

Leaderstorf is more optimistic of his team's chances because he feels there's a lot of talent at several weight classes.

"We're strong at 103, 112 and 119, new from 125 to 140 and 145 and up we should handle pretty well," said Leaderstorf.

Leaderstorf's lineup is comprised of seventh-grader Anthony Libapore (119); freshmen Luke Falzone (103) and Spencer Biondo (189); sophomores Nick Green (125), Jake Eckenrode (130), Ron Gendrew (140) and Howard Clark (189); juniors Justin St. George (112), Wendell Butler (135), John Willet (145), Andrew Tevens (152); and seniors Ron Green (160), Mike Walter (171) and Elliot Frank (215).

Leaderstorf said Libapore is a transfer from Buffalo who has already won a couple of national championships for his weight class. Falzone went 10-8 between varsity and JV at 96 as a freshman. He took fifth at the Class AAA Tournament.

St. George, Gendrew, Willet, Tevens, Walter and Frank are returning wrestlers. St. George took fifth at 103 at last year's Class AAA tournament.

Frank has wrestled since eighth grade. Walter enters his fourth year on varsity. Walter, Frank and Tevens are tri-captains. Walter took fourth at last year's ECIC tournament.

Butler, Ekenrode, and Biondo are first-year wrestlers.

Senior first-year wrestler Mike Zent could see time at 152. Freshman Joe Robinson has the potential to wrestle varsity at 125 but is wrestling JV right now, Leaderstorf said.

Leaderstorf has liked the work ethic of his team.

"It's been outstanding," he said. "They want to learn more and more."

Leaderstorf said the No. 1 way for his team to stay out of the losing column is to stay off their backs.

"We can't give up meaningless pins," said Leaderstorf. "If we do that, the score can stay tight. They need to wrestle the full six minutes."
South 2007 Schedule
12-5 North.......................... 6 p.m.
12-12 at Iroquois............... 6 p.m.
12-14 Cheektowaga .......... 6 p.m.
12-15 at Jon Vesper Duals. 9 a.m.
1-9 at Lake Shore ............. 6 p.m.
1-11 at Pioneer............. 4:30 p.m.
1-12 at Williamsville North Tournament

(North)................. 9 a.m.
1-16 at East ....................... 6 p.m.
1-18 at ECIC Tournament (East
Aurora) ......................... 4:30 p.m.
1-19 at ECIC Tournament (East
Aurora) ............................... 9 a.m.
1-26 at Pete Rao Tournament
(Lew-Port) ......................... 9 a.m.
1-30 W.S. East ................... 6 p.m.
2-6 Amherst ....................... 6 p.m.
2-15 at Class AAA Tournament
(Starpoint) .................... 4:30 p.m.
2-16 at Class AAA Tournament
(Starpoint) .................... 9:30 a.m.
2-23 Section VI New York State
qualifier (Ken West)....... 10 a.m.