Stella, Cohen finish 1-2 at wrestling states
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Sweet Home senior Nic Stella went 1-2 at the Division I 135-pound weight class at last weekend's New York State Championships. Stella finished the season with 41 wins and 199 career victories.

Nic Stella's focus since riding home from last year's New York State Championships was to be a state champion in 2008.

Sadly, the Sweet Home senior's state title hopes fell short, going 1-2 and not placing at 135 pounds in the Division I New York State Championships last weekend at Rochester's Blue Cross Arena.

Stella, ranked second in the state heading into the tournament, won his first-round match convincingly, defeating Andrew Pappas of Kellenberg Memorial, 15-4, by major decision.

However, Stella lost his next two matches, falling to Luke Bohn of Section III's Watertown, 5-2, and in wrestlebacks, Andy Rodriguez of Section XI's Central Islip, 4-2. Bohn, unranked in the state, eventually won the tournament. Rodriguez finished fourth.

"Nic was pretty disappointed," said Sweet Home coach Jeff Hess. "He came in with expectations of taking a first."

Hess said Bohn took down Stella right away and rolled across his back long enough for a count to give up a total of four points in the first 20 seconds.

"He was ready," said Hess. "The kid surprised him with a takedown. To come back after being down 4-0 at that level is tough, because kids at that level don't go on their back."

Hess said Stella chose down for the third period and tried to turn Bohn several times, but Bohn would not go on his back.

"There's always somebody at every weight class at that tournament who wrestles the tournament of his life and he was the guy," said Hess of Bohn. "Every other match he won was an upset."

Stella was a wild-card entry to the state meet after losing to Lancaster's Mark Lewandowski in the section finals. He finished the season 41-6, one win short of tying the school record for most wins in a season, and a school record 199 wins in his career.

Stella went 2-2 at 140 pounds last year.

Williamsville East senior Max Cohen finished 1-2 at 130 pounds.

Cohen, like Stella, won his first match and lost his next two.

Cohen opened the tournament by defeating John Catalano of Section VIII's MacArthur, 7-4. He followed the win with a 5-2 loss to Brian Benton of Section II's Amsterdam and in wrestlebacks, a 2-1 defeat to the Section IV champion, Brian Guilfoyle of Corning.

Scoreless after the first period, Guilfoyle earned one point for an escape in the second period. In the third period, Cohen rode Guilfoyle and let him go for Guilfoyle's second point.

Guilfoyle was called for stalling with 25 seconds remaining in the third period and a second time with eight seconds left to earn Cohen a point.

East coach Henry Fumerelle said Cohen wrestled with a sprained toe and injured shoulder but still battled to the end.

"He went out giving his all," said Fumerelle. "I'm so proud of him. He worked hard and belonged to be there."

Cohen finished the season 29-6, the ninth best single-season record in school history, and 87-35 for his career, sixth best in school history.

"He's been a captain for the past two years and a heck of a leader," said Fumerelle.

"He's been a big part of our program. He's going to be missed."

Another senior, Jayson Dieckman, lost to St. Francis' Tim Willson, 7-2, in the senior all-star duals on Feb. 28 at Maryvale High School. Willson placed second at the state Catholic meet. Dieckman finished 25-16.