Wrestling

Eastern States Classic

LIBERTY – Norwich seniors Tristan Rifanburg and Frank Garcia each finished in second place, and Sherburne-Earlville junior Jack Buell wrestled back for third at the prestigious Eastern States Classic at Sullivan Community College this past weekend.

Rifanburg (145) won four matches over the two days before falling to nationally-ranked Tommy Dutton of Rocky Point, 10-3. Dutton scored an early throw and back points building a 5-0 lead within the match's first 30 seconds. "We were pressing after that to get on the board, and it just snowballed," said Norwich coach Terry Hagenbuch. "We don't like to (press). We like the set the pace and tempo."

Garcia dropped a 4-3 decision to Sachem East's Jakob Restrepo. Restrepo recording a first-period takedown, but Garcia was never out of the match easily escaping. "They were back on their feet for the third period, we just came up a point shy," Hagenbuch said.

Last season, the only losses for Rifanburg and Garcia came in this tournament. Both went on to win Division II state titles. "If we're going to take a loss, we'd rather it be now than the end of the season," Hagenbuch said.

Buell, who continues to improve this season, entered the tournament as the number eight seed, but wrestled well above that seeding. His only loss came to the overall champion and a defending state champion, Nate Rose of Eagle Academy, by a 5-3 count.