VOORHEESVILLE — Voorheesville coach Dennis Robinson is looking for individual success from his wrestlers this season as opposed to team success.

The Blackbirds will have trouble filling every weight class, which makes it hard for the team to win dual meets. Voorheesville lost its first match of the season to Albany Academy because it had to forfeit matches.
"I told the kids early in the season that I’m not really focusing on dual-meet record," Robinson said. "I’m looking for individual, personal bests. That motivates them. I think this is an excellent group of kids. They are easy to coach and are enthusiastic."

The Blackbirds lost to Albany Academy last Thursday by just one point, 37-36.
"We worked hard but we made a few mistakes," Robinson said. "We have a chance to grow during the season. This is a bunch of smart kids."

The Blackbirds split two matches in a tri-meet they hosted on Saturday. Voorheesville beat Schoharie-Middleburgh but lost to Ichabod Crane.

Potential

There are just two seniors on the team this year. Matt O’Brien will wrestle at the 160-pound weight class and Justin Pincheon will grapple in the 152-pound class.
"He is one of those kids that can come into his own this year," Robinson said of Pincheon. "It’s his senior year and he wants to have a good one. He is very motivated."
"Matt O’Brien is a team captain," Robinson said. "He is self-motivated, too. Matt has room to grow. It’s interesting, he’s always looking to improve."

Taylor Treadgold, an eighth-grader, will wrestle in the 103-pound weight class.
"He was certified to wrestle on the varsity," Robinson said. "He’s a go-getter."

Jeremy Rich, also an eighth-grader, will wrestle at 112 pounds.
"He’s a tough individual," Robinson said. "He’s a tough kid. He’s another one that wrestles hard all the time."

Freshman Frank Kaus will wrestle at 119 pounds.
"He needs to grow into his body physically," Robinson said. "He’s enthusiastic and ready to have a good season."

Classmate Andrew Clark will compete in the 125-pound weight class this season.
"He was a full-year varsity wrestler last year," Robinson said.

Jim Sheedy, another eighth-grader, will compete in the 135-pound weight class.
"He’s a product of our modified program," Robinson said. "He’s got a great amount of potential."

Junior Jason Pincheon will compete in the 135-pound weight class.
"He is one of the most dedicated wrestlers," Robinson said. "He worked hard in the off-season. He didn’t wrestle much last year because of an injury. He has a lot of potential. He’s going to be a good one."

Alex Zvinovsky, a junior, will wrestle in the 189-pound weight class.
"He’s a strong man," Robinson said. "He has a lot of potential a lot of room for growth. He’s a slow starter but he is learning fast and he is very consistent in what he does. He’s going to be exciting to watch at the end of the year."

Classmate Charlie McGrail will wrestle at 215 pounds.
"He has put in a lot of work and effort," Robinson said. "He is a good wrestler. He’ll be a solid performer this year.
"We have a bunch of guys that have room to grow," Robinson added. "He wants to be one of those guys that’s dependable. He’s going to be good. He’ll be up there in the 215’s in Class C."

Ninth-grader Jacob Marks will wrestle as the only member of the junior-varsity team.
"In essence, he is the j.v. team," Robinson said. "If he wins, the j.v. wins. If he loses, the j.v. loses."

Bright future

Robinson likes having such a young team to work with.
"It’s exciting to have three or four years to help them develop," Robinson said. "We have a solid feeder program in the New Scotland Youth Wrestling Program. Coach Pierce does an excellent job. I’m short one coach, but the two of us can pick up the slack.
"The kids make it easy and the parents help out. The parental support we get is great. Joe Sapienza gives us support and the administration has been great."

The school has given the team space in the basement to put together a wrestling room to hold practices instead of in the cafe- teria.
"We’re excited about that," Robinson said.

Robinson knows his team is a little low in the number of participants, but he also knows that he has kids who want to be at practice every day and work hard.
"We were low with numbers last year," Robinson said. "This is nothing new. What I have here right now is the type of team I want. We will forfeit a few matches but, if we wrestle 10 matches, we’ll win seven out of 10. It’s no different than in the past.
"The future looks bright," Robinson added. "Half the team is eighth- or ninth-graders. How can I be pessimistic about that" They come into the room every day energized. It’s a great place to be. This a phenomenal group of kids. They are good kids and hard workers."