Wrestling

ILION – Norwich had nine out of its 10 wrestlers place at the Leo J. Sammon Tournament winning five titles Saturday, its best showing at the Ilion-based tournament in years.

Frank Garcia, wrestling in the 119-pound division, was named the tournament’s most outstanding wrestler. Garcia defeated Rome Free Academy’s Antonio DeLuco, 5-1, in the finals for the title. DeLuco was a Section III Division I runner-up in the 2010 sectionals. Three other wrestlers in Garcia’s class came into the tournament with three losses or less, said Norwich coach Joe Downey. “(Frankie’s) whole weight class was just loaded,” Downey said. “Frankie wrestled phenomenally. He was tough on his feet and took everybody down at will.”

Landon Cummings (96), Tristan Rifanburg (112), Tanner Cummings (130), and Kegan Levesque (215) added championship wins. Cummings scrambled off his back in the opening 20 seconds to turn the tide sinking in a cradle on Copenhagen’s Breven Jacobs for the first-period pin.

Rifanburg (112) was not seriously tested cruising to his title, Cummings was especially dominant from the top riding position, and Levesque earned a third-period pin as he continues to open up his offense, Downey said.