Contributed Story
ALBANY — March 5, 2013 – Eldred/Fallsburg’s Jesse Corcoran lost to Dan Breit of Nanuet in the first round of the NY State Wrestling tournament in Albany.
Breit served Corcoran two of his three losses on the season, including a 8-4 decision at the states.
“He was an incredibly tough kid,” said Corcoran’s father and coach, Jim Corcoran about Breit.
In the wrestleback round, Corcoran pinned Joshua Ferlazzo of Petrides at the 2:47 mark, then lost to Chris Saden of Fredonia in a hard- fought 7-5 decision. He finished the season 20-3.
Against Saden, Corcoran was winning the whole match, but with just seconds remaining, Saden reversed and tilted Corcoran scoring five points all at once and securing a dramatic come-back victory.
Unfortunately the loss will likely mark the end of what was a very successful wrestling career for Corcoran, as there is no 220-pound weight class at the collegiate level. At his current weight he will fall under the heavyweight category which will require him to wrestle opponents up to 285 pounds.
“Were very proud of him,” Said Jim Corcoran.
Wrestling at 152 pounds, Liberty’s Andy Martinez pinned his first round opponent, Chris Roufanis of Cold Spring Harbor in just over 3 minutes. But the three-time state qualifier lost to the No. 2 seed, Tim Schaeffer of Warsaw by way of pin in just 21 seconds. Liberty coach John Lennon said Schaeffer was monstrous in dispatching of Martinez that quickly.
“It wasn’t that Andy faltered, but that guys at this level are that good,” said Lennon.
In the wrestleback round Martinez was pinned by Cody Nolan of Hampton Bays in one minute and 16 seconds
“Andy had a really great career for Liberty,” said Lennon. “He’s our first section champion since Tommy Lewis.
“I thought he wrestled very well. At this level you don’t necessarily have to falter,” Lennon added.
Andy will continue his wrestling career in college where he will help launch the new SCCC wrestling program.
The county’s 152-pound representative, Tri-Valley’s Kevin Palko, was was pinned in a minute and twenty-six seconds by Chenango Valley’s Kyle Halladay in the opening round.
In the wrestleback round, Palko lost a 14-3 decision to Connor Lawrence of Duanesburg.