Niagara-Wheatfield wrestlers set for state tournament

by Eric Keppeler
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, March 1, 2007

Though he went to the state wrestling championship last year, Niagara-Wheatfield senior Jake Koshinski knew that he’d have to work even harder this year if we wanted to go back again this season.

Koshinski wound up second in the state last year at 171 pounds, and he will indeed get another shot at the crown after winning that same class two weeks ago at the Section VI Championship to qualify.

“Since I did so well last year, everyone expects that you to do even better this year,” Koshinski said. “People figured that I’d walk right through the section, and it doesn’t work that way. The other kids come after you because they figure they’ve got nothing to lose. It’s tough to stay focused.”

Koshinski is one of four members of the Niagara Frontier League champion Falcons to qualify for this weekend’s state tournament in Albany. Fellow senior Zack Lange (135 pounds) is making his third trip to states, while freshman Angelo Malvestuto (160) and eighth grader Joey Malvestuto (96) are going for the first time.

Falcons coach Tim Lukasik figures that his two experienced seniors are among the favorites.

“As upperclassmen who’ve been there before, they’ve got a real good shot,” Lukasik said. “Jake placing second last year, he’s got to be one of the favorites if he has a good day. And that’s really what it’s all about – having a good day. All of these guys are four wins away from a state title. Zack was a little bit dinged up last year, and he came short of placing. But I’ve got to think that both of them are favorites to place.”

Lange went to states as an eighth grader and went 2-2 at the tournament. He went again last year as a junior and suffered a hyperextended elbow in his first match, but still finished the tournament 2-2.

He’s happy for one more shot at a state title.

“Last year was a disappointment,” Lange said. “As soon as I got hurt, I knew it was over. It killed me. They taped it up, but it didn’t do enough. So these past two weeks, I’ve been training harder than ever to get ready. This is my last chance.”

Koshinski hopes that hard work during the off-season will be the difference between second place last year and first place this season.

The man who beat him has since graduated, so many count Koshinski as the favorite to win the title, although he himself tries not to look at it that way.

“I try not to think about it,” Koshinski said. “There are a lot of good guys who came up from 160, and there are always new faces. In the back of my head I realize that I could be the favorite, but you just have to keep working hard, stay focused and wrestle like you know you can.”

Lukasik isn’t counting out his two younger wrestlers in what he hopes is the first of many trips to states for them.

“It’s dynamite that we’ve got two younger boys who’ve qualified for states,” Lukasik said. “It’s a great experience and we’re hoping that they get back here a few more times. Both of them have their sights set on placing, and it will only help them in the future.”