Spencerport regains sectional championship
By Ben Jacobs Democrat and Chronicle

(February 17, 2002) - Spencerport did not appreciate having its streak of 12 straight Section V titles snapped by Canandaigua last year. This year, the Rangers made sure it did not happen again by putting together their best season ever.

The Rangers put 13 of 15 wrestlers into the semifinals to win the Class A Wrestling Tournament on Saturday at Fairport.

"It was the most important tournament of the year for us as a team," Spencerport coach Bill Jacoutot said.

However, Spencerport only had one individual winner.

"We just didn't get it done in the finals," Jacoutot said. "It's not that our kids didn't wrestle hard, they just didn't wrestle well."

Josh Fuller won the 96-pound title with a 6-1 decision over Hilton's Joe Ranzenbach to give Spencerport's its only champion.

Spencerport has a chance to do better at next week's SuperSectionals at Brockport. With a record 13 wrestlers qualified, Jacoutot has high expectations.

"(We need) to wrestle better than we did here," Jacoutot said. "A lot better."

Although Canandaigua did not defend its title, the Braves did have an impressive showing in the finals.

Canandaigua had six wrestlers in the finals and five won.

The Braves trailed Spencerport by 48 points after the semifinals, but managed to cut the deficit to 33 points, 219-186, after the finals.

It was an especially good night for the Chinn family, as both Trevor and T.R. won titles.

"We've always wanted to do that," T.R. said.

"Our goal is to both be in the finals at states."

T.R., a senior, won the 171-pound class with a 3-2 decision over Churchville-Chili's Mike Vitale for his first individual title.

Trevor, a sophomore, won his third individual title with a 5-1 decision over Irondequoit's Henry Rubright at 130 pounds.

"It feels nice because you work hard and try to achieve it again every year," Trevor said.

This year was special to Trevor because T.R. also won.

"This is the only year we've both been to the finals and this is the last year we'll be wrestling together."

Trevor, who won the 96-pound class in 1999 and the 119-pound class last year, was not the only wrestler to repeat as a champion.

Teammate Tom Cuppernell won the 145-pound class after winning the 140-pound class last year.

The two defending 96-pound champions met in the 112-pound final.

Webster's Gregor Gillespie, who won at 96 pounds last year, pinned 1999 champion Greg Gelinas of Canandaigua in 49 seconds.

Gelinas was the only Canandaigua wrestler to lose in the final round.

"We feel good since we came without a 160-pounder and we came without a 215-pounder," T.R. Chinn said. "So, we're giving up two weights right there."

The Braves were disappointed that they did not defend their title, but were pleased with their success in the finals.

"We won it last year and we would have liked to keep the title, but this is like the postseason and all that really matters is your individual achievements," Trevor Chinn said.

Rush-Henrietta's Matt Champion also repeated by winning the 160-pound title for the second straight year.