Photos: Five Local Wrestlers Battle Top In The State, English Wins First BKW Title
On Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27 and 28, two wrestlers from Guilderland (Kody Dott and Abdo Baraeya), two from Berne-Knox-Westerlo-Middleburgh (Gabe and Liam English) and Eagles’ James Nalbone all battled wrestlers from around New York State at the MVP arena.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Hard-fought win: Guilderland’s Kody Dott looks to get a take-down on Orchard Park’s Michael Ferullo, Section 6, in their overtime Division 1, 103-pound first-round match. Dott won, 3-0.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Going for a ride: Guilderland’s Abdo Baraeya lifts Whiteboro’s Joe Dare, Section 3, up from the mat as he looks to take him down to the mat in the first period of their Division 1, 175-pound first-round match. Baraeya won, 17-4, then went on to win his 100th match in wrestlebacks.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Scoop and roll: Eagles’ James Nalbone looks down at the mat as he grabs the left leg of Carmel’s Chase Allocca, Section 1, and starts to bring him to the mat in their Division 1, 132-pound first round match. Nalbone won, 13-5.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Getting the upper hand: BKW-Middleburgh’s Gabe English bends the right arm back of Our Lady of Lourdes’ Connor Wilson, Section 9, as English looks to roll him onto his back in their Division 2, 175-pound final. English won 5-1 to win the school’s first-ever New York State championship.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Shouting ideas: BKW-M’s head coach, Jeff Vogel, closest, and assistant Tyler Goodmote yell towards Gabe English as he wrestles in the first period.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Brotherly love: After winning the Division 2, 175-pound state title, Gabe English’s brother, Liam, comes onto the mat to congratulate his brother.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Happy throw: New York State champion Gabe English picked up his assistant coach, Tyler Goodmote, and threw him to the mat with a smile.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Fighting till the end: BKW-M’s Liam English looks to fight off Unatego/Unadilla Valley’s Yanni Drapaniotis, Section 4, offensive moves as he looks to gain control in their Division 2, 190-pound final. English fell, 6-4, to finish second in the state.