LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY – 165 schools sent athletes from five different states to compete in one of the toughest tournaments in the country, the Eastern States Classic. Some of the wrestlers representing in the field were nationaly ranked across the board, including the number one ranked wrestler in the US High School Rankings.

“At Eastern States, you are only allowed so many entries and many schools are on a waiting list,” said Norwich head coach Bob Hagenbugh.

Four Norwich Purple Tornado wrestlers were part of the field in this prestigious tournament. Dubbed the “Four Horseman” by Hagenbuch, all won their first round matches. 

Starting the Purple off at 99-pounds, Dante Geislinger tech falled his opponent 16-0 at the 5:20 mark of the match. He continued on the winning trail when he upset the seed with a 6-3 decision win, landing him into a semi-final match. Geislinger lost a hard fought battle by a 4-0 decision to the number one seed of his weight class, Mason Bush of Central Valley. Geislinger wrestled back to place fourth in the tournament.