WRESTLING: Holley eighth-grader claims state title

By Mike Wertman

ROCHESTER — He may only be an eighth-grader but Holley’s Quinton Murphy reigns as a state wrestling champion.

Murphy bested a defending champion, Kyle Crisafulli (Phoenix, Section III) 4-2 in the title bout at the Blue Cross Arena Sunday night to claim the state Division II (small schools) 103 pound championship.

“It feels great,” exclaimed Murphy, a two-year veteran of the state tournament, who notched two pins and a major decision win to earn a berth in the title match.

As was the case in each of his four matches, Murphy scored an early takedown to jump out to a quick 2-0 lead over Crisafulli, who claimed the 96 pound title a year ago, and he stayed on top for the rest of the period.

“I was ready and getting that takedown was the reason I won,” Murphy said.

Crisafulli did knot the match at 2-2 in the second period with a near fall at the edge of the mat.

However, Murphy quickly regained the lead with what proved to be the winning takedown just 20 seconds into the final period and maintained control the rest of the way to claim the crown.

“Poise, Quinton was very poised,” Holley coach John Grillo said. “He needed to get a takedown and he got a takedown and then after the match was tied he regrouped, got a takedown for the lead and rode him out the rest of he way.”

Setting the tone for the big weekend Murphy, who placed sixth at 96 pounds last year, opened the tourney in lightning quick fashion by pining Teddy Kyreakedes (Dobbs Ferry, Section I) in just 1:13 after taking an early lead with a quick takedown.

“It felt good,” Murphy said. “He made a mistake and I used it.”

Keeping the momentum, Murphy then blanked Brian Traub (Petrides) 11-0 in a rematch of last year’s 96 pound quarterfinal. Up 2-0 after a first period takedown, Murphy took command in the second period with another takedown and a near fall for a commanding 7-0 lead.

“In his first match, Quinton came out and controlled it right from the start getting a quick offensive takedown,” Grillo said. “He stayed poised in the second match and really scrambled well.”

Murphy kept rolling in the semifinals pinning Kyle McGregor (Tonawanda) in 4:56. He took control at the outset with a takedown and a near fall for a quick 4-0 lead.

“I got that big takedown right away and that was really good,” Murphy said.

“That opening takedown was really key,” agreed Grillo. “He showed a lot of discipline. He was hurting (a sore shoulder) but he put it behind him.”

Murphy, who captured both the Section V Class BBB and Section V state qualifier titles in route making a return trip to the state meet, finishes the season at 45-1.

“It’s just very exciting,” Grillo said. “And a lot of the credit for Quinton’s success has to go to his parents for taking him to big tournaments to help him gain experience and to our coaches who have really worked to help him with his technique and to prepare him.”

Banks rallies to place fifth

Holley junior Tim Banks rebounded strongly from an opening round loss to go 4-1 in the consolation bracket and earn a fifth place finish at 119.

Banks dropped a 19-3 decision to Brian Borst (Duanesburg, Section II) to open the tourney but rebounded with three straight consolation victories of 7-0 over Patrick Hogan (Peru, Section VII), 3-1 over Chris Burnett (BGA, Section IV)) and 5-1 over Tom Gazza (Cold Spring Harbor, Section VIII)).

Briefly set back by a 12-2 loss to Sean Hanson (South Jefferson, Section III), Banks again rebounded to blank Kirk Harrington (Hudson Falls, Section II) 13-0 to earn fifth-place honors.

“Tim came out very determined in that last match. He wanted to finish the year on a win and he did,” Grillo said. “He showed a lot of poise and heart to come back so strong like that after a bad first round loss.”

Banks finishes the season at 47-4.

Brigham goes 2-2

Roy-Hart senior Jeff Brigham went 2-2 in the 140 pound class.

Brigham opened with a 3-2 win over Nick Lalone (Cato Meridian, Section III) but then lost 9-4 in the quarterfinals to Robert Merchant (Cobleskill/Richmondville, Section II).

Bouncing back, Brigham pinned Ken Riker (Center Moriches, Section XI) to open the consolation bracket but was then eliminated 8-3 by Logan Walker (Waverly, Section IV).

King placed fourth

Wilson’ Matt King placed fourth at 171 going 3-2 on the weekend.

King opened with wins of 2-1 over Zak Griffith (Warsaw, Section V) and Sean Paul (Dobbs Ferry, Section I) before being nipped 4-3 in the semifinals by Tyler Beckwith (Greene, Section IV).

In the consolation bracket, King decisioned Josh Nephew (Beekmantown, Section VII) before bowing 5-2 to Max O’Meara (Red Hook, Section IX) in the match for third place.

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