Spencerport wrestlers roll to County title
By James Johnson Democrat and Chronicle

(Sunday, January 27, 2002) -- Not every area wrestling fan cheers for the Spencerport Rangers.

The boos that greet them at tournaments are a strong clue to that. Whether you love them or dislike them, however, you won't find many people in the local wrestling community who don't respect the results the Rangers get on mats.

"There are some people who don't think so but they have made all of us better," Hilton coach Chuck Partridge said.

Crowning the Rangers as the Monroe County League team champions last night was a formality.

The No. 1 ranked large-school team in the state rolled to its 13th team championship in 14 seasons (22nd overall) at Webster Schroeder High. Spencerport's wrestlers, including five weight division champions, scored 271 points. Runner-up Brockport finished 91 points behind.

The Rangers have dominated at the dual meets and nearly every tournament they have been invited to this season. This despite a lineup that has been shuffled because of illnesses.

"We're psyched as a team," Mike Brongo said. "We're all pushing hard in practice and coach (Bill) Jacoutot is on us.

"We're ready to win."

Spencerport hosts fifth-ranked Canandaigua in a monster dual meet on Saturday. The match, which will receive attention around the state, is sold out.

They shared the No. 1 state ranking at the end of last season.

Steve Stulpin was one of four wrestlers who matched the league titles they won in 2001.

"It's hard because everyone is out to get you," Stulpin said after his 3-1 overtime victory over Greece Athena's Nick Pagano in the 152 final.

Webster junior Andrew Krieger, a 2-1 winner over Brighton's Gene Kobilansky at 119, was named the meet's Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Gregor Gillespie, Krieger's 112-pound teammate, was fast on his feet and dominated his final. Gillespie was the league's 96-pound champion last season.

"There's a lot of guys who could take 112 this year, tons of guys," Gillespie said about the SuperSectionals. "It's going to be whoever is on that day."

There are two undefeated wrestlers left in Monroe County.

East Rochester 171-pounder Pat VanThof had to hold off Fairport's Ian Ammons to win 12-7.

VanThof is 25-0 after hitting a five-point move by rolling Ammons onto his back from the standing position.

"I think it's called the cement job roll through," VanThof said. "He surprised me with a double leg takedown (in the first period).

"After I took him down in the second, I started to feel better and just went from there."

Fairport 189-pounder Joe Fingler, who won the Webster Tournament at Schroeder earlier this winter, is 26-0 after beating Hilton's John Hennekey for the second time in two weeks.

Rush-Henrietta 125-pounder Jason Chase earned his second league title in three years after he edged Gates Chili's J.P. Zengerle 1-0.

"I'm happy to win but I have to get better," Chase said. "I really didn't feel good this whole tournament."

The 160-pound final had to be halted when Spencerport's Don Zimmerman injured his left shoulder and was unable to continue. Rush-Henrietta's Matt Champion was ahead 5-4 in the third when Zimmerman retired after the third stoppage of the bout.