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CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. Croton opened its 35th annual Dual-Meet Wrestling Tournament with three convincing wins in pool play over Pleasantville, Port Chester and Irvington before a closely-contested match in the final.
The Tigers were facing friendly rival, Sleepy Hollow, and they responded with key wins in an eventual 38-37 victory on Saturday.
Croton went 4-0 on the day, improving to 22-8 on the season. This is the first time Croton has won the tournament under this format, after last winning the title in 2003.
Sophomore Sam Goldsmith (160 pounds), who went 3-1 for the tournament, had the pivotal win against Sleepy Hollow. Goldsmith scored two points in the third period, breaking a 4-4 tie against Gabriel Gonzalez, in a 6-4 triumph.
Sam received one point on a clasp and then escaped for another point, Croton coach Sam Occhipinti said. That was a big win for Sam and for us. That definitely turned over the momentum of the match.
Sam had a good day for us. Sam showed how far determination can get you. He won his matches based on his determination.
Croton defeated Pleasantville 48-29, Port Chester 62-12, and Irvington 51-36, during pool wrestling. David Occhipinti, Chris Kraft, John Martin and Andrew Barsuch all went 4-0 for the Tigers. Martin was selected as most outstanding senior wrestler.
Everybody wrestled with a lot of heart and a lot of focus, Sam Occhipinti said. This was a total team effort.
Gabe Palacios (170), Csaurel Clarke (182) and Nathaniel Christian (220) had pins for Sleepy Hollow. Steven Become (138) and Edwin Jimenez (132) also won.
Championship
Croton 38, Sleepy Hollow 37
120 D.J. Frederich (Cr) pin. Chris Lazo, 2:50; 126 David Occhipinti (Cr) major dec. Juan Pablo Loja 14-4; 132 Edwin Jimenez (SH) major dec. Dan Guido, 12-4; 138 Steven Bencosme (SH) dec. J.P. OMalley, 5-0; 145 John Martin (Cr) dec. Kevin Ortiz, 2-0; 152 Andrew Horan (Cr) dec. Jean-Paul Ospina, 5-2; 160 Gabe Palacios (SH) pin. Eli Greenstein, 2:52; 170 Sam Goldsmith (Cr) dec. Gabriel Gonzalez, 6-4; 182 Csaurel Clarke (SH) pin. Matt Seputro, :10; 195 Chris Kraft (Cr) pin. Chris Hutter, :30; 220 Nathaniel Christian (SH) pin. Alek Pavloff, 3:40; 285 Frank Cuaranaj (SH) won by forfeit; 99 Andrew Barsuch (Cr) pin. Ray Rodriguez, :58; 106 Tommy Schultz (Cr) won by forfeit; 113 Edisson Quituisaca (SH) won by forfeit.
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