Byron-Bergen wrestlers overtake Hawks
On a night honoring the induction of 16-time wrestling Coach of the Year John Grillo and former state wrestling champion Andrew Grillo into the Holley Hall of Fame, Byron-Bergen put a damper on the ceremony with a 40-37 win over Holley/Kendall.
John Grillo retired as Holley’s wrestling and tennis coach after his 30th season last year with the most mat wins of any coach in New York State – 796. The former Athletic Director and Dean of Students at Holley won 23 Genesee Region titles, 12 Section V championships and coached four state champions. His tennis resume is equally impressive with 14 Genesee Region titles and three Sectional crowns among other accolades.
It was recently announced that he will be inducted into the Section V Wrestling Hall of Fame this spring.
Andrew Grillo finished his five-year high school varsity wrestling career with a 186-11 record that included four league titles, four Section V class championships and was the New York State champ in 2004 with a 42-0 record at 135 lb. He also was a two-time league all-star in tennis.
In the wrestling match, Byron-Bergen dominated the early bouts as Daniel Dawson pinned his opponent in 2:36 at 99 lb., JC Starowitz made a first period takedown stand up in a 2-0 decision at 106 lb., Travis Shallenberger scored 11 points over the first two minutes in his 14-5 major decision at 113 lb., and Jaxon Nichols registered a fall in 31 seconds at 120 lb.
Holley/Kendall rallied as senior Tristan Moyer (126 lb.) racked up seven second-period points in his 11-2 major decision, Dylan Clemons received a forfeit at 132 lb., and Jayden Pieniaszek broke open a tight 138 lb. bout with eight third-period points in a 9-4 decision.
After the teams traded forfeits with Hawk Thomas Rice (145 lb.) and Bee Zach Hannan (152 lb.), Holley/Kendall senior Dawson Custer registered a pin in 2:24 at 160 lb.
Byron-Bergen’s Malachi Smith survived a late reverse and near fall in a 10-7 decision at 170 lb., but Hawks Frank Golisano put his team ahead with a fall in 3:00 at 182 lb.
But the Bees locked up the match as Alex Dean received a forfeit at 195 lb. and Braedon Zimmerman took all of ten seconds to pin his 220 lb. opponent before Holley/Kendall’s Zane Christakes won via injury default at 285 lb.
