Falcon wrestlers soar to state qualifier

by Eric Keppeler
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, February 15, 2007

As the top-ranked wrestling team in Western New York, the Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons were a heavy favorite to send several athletes on to this weekend’s state qualifier at Fredonia – and the Falcons didn’t disappoint.

Also dominating the team portion of last weekend’s Class AAAA Tournament at Clarence High School, the Falcons saw nine individuals place in the top four of their respective weight classes to advance to Saturday’s qualifier.

“We did very well,” N-W coach Tim Lukasik said. “We won the Section VI team title, and we had six kids in the finals, and five of them won. And of the nine who advanced, we have high hopes that a few of them can go on to states and maybe win titles.”

Individual Class AAAA champions included seniors Zack Lange (135 pounds), Jake Koshinski (171) and Darren Sneed (189), along with sophomore Bobby Malvestuto (152) and freshman Angelo Malvestuto (160).

Eighth grader Joey Malvestuto (96) placed second to also advance to the state qualifier, as do freshman Ysean Ali (103), freshman Antonio Ventry (112) and junior Jehad Ali (119), who each placed third.

Koshinski, the defending sectional champion, went to states last year and wound up second overall. He’s undefeated so far this year and is the top-ranked wrestler in Western New York. Lange also went to states last year, although he didn’t place. He has one loss this year, but that opponent has since shifted to another weight class.

Angelo Malvestuto also is undefeated and the top-ranked wrestler in his weight class in Western New York, while brother Bobby defeated the top-ranked wrestler at 152 last weekend.

Sneed is rebounding from a neck injury last year and a shoulder injury this season, but he has been a force since his Christmas return and should not be counted out.

“Our coaches always push us to be the best that we can,” Sneed said. “Everyone’s very supportive. I love it – it’s like a family.”

Joey Malvestuto, Ysean and Jehad Ali, and Ventry also are more than capable of advancing if they get on a roll.

The Falcons have no more team goals to conquer, so they turn their attention to individual accolades. N-W won the Niagara Frontier League and then won the Class AAAA Tournament. The Falcons have also cracked the top 10 in the state rankings, checking in at No. 9 in the latest poll.

Now Lukasik said they wanted to send a decent number to the state qualifier, and they’ve done that, too.

The next step is to see how many they can get to the state tournament, which is March 2 and 3 at Albany.

“It’s very pleasant when you set goals at the beginning of the season and then you accomplish them,” Lukasik said. “At this level, it comes down to whoever’s mentally toughest and up to the challenge. The most I’ve ever taken to states is two, but we’ve got high hopes that we do a lot better than that this year.”