Injury can't keep 112 title from Webster's Sortino
Spencerport has only one individual champion, but secures its ninth straight team title
Democrat and Chronicle, By James Johnson

(Jan. 30, 2000) -- Benny Sortino's opponent crashed into him and then the Webster senior heard a popping noise.

It's not the sound you want to hear coming from your ankle while you're wrestling in a tournament final during the Monroe County Championships.

Sortino stayed on his knees for a few minutes, holding his left foot still while being treated. The 112-pounder was also telling himself his day at Webster wasn't over.

"I still have another leg," Sortino said. "That's what I had to tell myself."

Sortino got off the mat and went on to defeat Greece Olympia's Joe Veltre 1-0 to become a county champion for the first time in his last opportunity to become one.

"I told myself I had to keep going," Sortino said while soaking his foot in a small blue plastic tub full of ice and water.

Sortino limped through his match but held off Veltre, a champion at 103 last season, after picking up his point when he was allowed to stand up at the start of the final period.

Spencerport did not limp it's way to the team title.

The Rangers had their ninth consecutive county championship -- and 10th in 11 years -- clinched at the end of the semifinals. They had five finalists and finished with 244 points. Webster's 204 1/2 points was good for second place.

Shawn Hibbs at 103, a 1999 state champion, was the lone Ranger to win his division, as Chuck Olas (119), Mike Wojtowicz (130) and Steve Stulpin (145) each lost by a point and Mike Bourne (135) went down in overtime.

"We lost some heartbreakers," Spencerport coach Bill Jacoutot said.

Penfield's Jeff Collier, Rush-Henrietta's Geoff Selleck, Pittsford's Mike Lynn, Gates Chili's Jason Macartney, Veltre and Wojtowicz all had chances to win county titles in back-to-back years at the start of the finals.

Selleck defeated Greece Athena's Bob MacMullin 8-4 in the 152-pound final, improving his record to 25-1. Macartney and Lynn met in the 171 championship, which the Gates Chili senior won 16-7.

Macartney (23-0) was wary of Lynn's upper-body strength and was able to control the match.

"I knew when he was going to throw me but I rolled out of it (each time)," Macartney said. "I've seen him throw so many kids."

Collier edged Wojtowicz 2-1 on overtime criteria, escaping from the Spencerport wrestler's control within 30 seconds.

After the Penfield senior got to his feet and out of bounds with 19 seconds left, he easily broke Wojtowicz's grasp on his foot during the restart.

"I knew it was going to be a brawl," Collier said. "I just had to keep brawling and brawling.

"I had the advantage. My whole body was covered with sweat."

Pittsford junior Troy Forte (33-1) beat Spencerport's Chuck Olas 2-1 in the 119 final.

"I think I'm coming on strong," Forte, whose younger brother Chris won the 96 title, said. "I'll probably see him again. I think it's a big advantage (to face someone you have defeated recently).

"You can get inside a guy's head. You have confidence, but you can't be overconfident or you won't win."

Rush-Henrietta junior Jason Chase pulled a mild upset when he beat Irondequoit's Jose Peo 3-1 after the 125 final went into overtime.

Chase pulled off a switch during a takedown attempt by Peo, who beat the Rush-Henrietta wrestler 7-4 last week.

The Chase brothers became the second set of brothers to win titles this year when Dan improved to 25-0 after pinning Jeremy Norfleet in the 160 championship.

At 140, Hilton senior Pat Hanscomb defeated Greece Athena's Mike Pagano, who missed part of the season while recovering from a broken leg suffered playing football.

Hanscomb reached the 1999 135 finals but ran into Webster's Justin Giffi, who was peaking on his way to a runner-up finish at states.

Sortino, 97-35 lifetime, will rest up. His next match, if he is able to wrestle, is in a dual Tuesday, possibly against Penfield's Joe Lacagnina.

"I finished (the finals) so I'll be out there," Sortino said.