The Fairport Wrestling team started the new year off defeating Monroe County East rival Penfield 48-23. Coach Craig Kaper’s team started strong and never trailed in the match.

Phil Accorso (103) and Aaron Rowe (125) accepted forfeits to help the Red Raiders secure a big lead.

Mike Fuqua (112) got the action going against Gian Lomaglio. Fuqua scored the first takedown to take a 2-0 lead. He started the second period on top and worked Lomaglio to his back and recorded the pin at 2:25 to put Fairport up 12-0.

John Laclair (119) ran into one of the top wrestlers in Section V Joe Lacagnina and fought hard to keep Lacagnina from scoring six team points.

Matt Cunningham (130) came out aggressively against Jeff Collier the defending Class A champ but couldn’t overcome his strength.

Brian Bowen (135) made short work of Mike Johnston. Bowen scored a quick double leg takedown then let Johnston escape. Bowen shot again and took Johnston down to his back and stuck the pin at 37 seconds.

Kyle Tellex (140) kept the momentum going against Josh Stewart. Tellex scored the first takedown then let Stewart escape. He shot again and scored another takedown and worked Stewart to his back for a near-fall to take a 7-1 lead. Tellex put the match away with a strong second period scoring two more takedowns and he turned Stewart for two near-falls to record the technical fall at 3:45.

Ian Ammons (145) dominated Chad Fairhurst. Ammons scored the takedown and then turned Fairhurst three times to take a 9-0 lead in the first period. Midway through the second period he scored a reversal and put the match away with a fall at 3:41.

Steve Hassett (152) stepped on the mat against Mike Bartholomew and used his quickness to score the first takedown but Bartholomew escaped before the end of the period. Bartholomew took the lead in the second period but Hassett fought back in the third. He started the period down and escaped to tie the score then scored a single leg takedown to take a 5-3 lead. Bartholomew escaped once again but Hassett put the match away with another takedown with 30 seconds to go to earn the 7-4 decision and clinch the match for the Red Raiders with a 39-11 lead.

Justin Gavin (160) took on Rick Schimpf and scored the takedown in the first period then had to work out of trouble in the second. He escaped to take a 3-0 lead but Schimpf fought back with a takedown and near-fall to take the lead. Gavin fought to get off his back and then reversed his position to regain the lead. He put the match away with a takedown midway through the third period and held on for an 8-5 decision.

Joe Fingler (171) came out strong against Chris Loose. Fingler found an opening and scored the takedown to take a 2-0 lead in the first period. He escaped to start the second period then shot and scored another takedown. He worked Loose to his back and stuck the pin at 3:05 to give Fairport its largest lead 48-11.