Holley used four pins and a decision during the middle weight classes to overcome an eight-point deficit and defeat Byron-Bergen 42-29 in wrestling.
The Hawks, receiving votes among New York State small schools, trailed early as the Bees’ Phillip Walter a pair of third period penalty points with a takedown and reverse for a 14-6 major decision at 195 lb.
The Hawks’ Jake Bailey built a 7-1 first period lead and won 13-7 at 220 lb. and teammate Lucas Silva, bumped up one weight class, won via fall in 3:21 at 285 lb. to put his team ahead.
Brandon Morrell escaped with just two seconds remaining in his 99 lb. match to break a 6-6 tie and win 7-6 for the Hawks.
Byron-Bergen’s Steven Underhill pinned his 106 lb. opponent in 2:27 prior to teammate Anthony Miraglia winning via forfeit at 113 lb.
After Holley’s Nick Shenck scored takedowns in the first and second periods to take a 4-0 decision at 120 lb., Byron-Bergen’s Alan White won 7-1 at 126 lb. and Hunter Taylor scored a major 15-2 decision at 132 lb. thanks to nine third period points to put the Bees up 23-15.
Martin Beadle began the Hawks comeback with a fall in 1:06 at 138 lb. and Ryan Camacho duplicated that with a fall in 1:29 at 145 lb. to put the Hawks ahead for good.
A 3-0 decision by Holley’s Kevin Avery at 152 lb., plus falls by teammates David Weaver in :47 at 170 lb.—after moving up a weight class, and Cameron Thorn in 4:30 at 182 lb. were interrupted only by a pin by the Bees Danny Khomitch in 2:41 at 160 lb.
The victory marked the Hawks 34th consecutive win in dual meets on home mats.
