H.S. wrestling: Spencerport's Stulpin prevails, improves to 23-0
By James Johnson
Democrat and Chronicle
E-mail address: jjohnson@DemocratandChronicle.com

(January 19, 2003) — HILTON — The 160-pound final of the Clayton Barnard Tournament on Saturday was worth hanging around for.

Spencerport’s Steve Stulpin vs. McQuaid’s Andy Merkel. Two wrestlers who advanced to the state tournament last season. One marquee matchup at Hilton.

“I love them,” Stulpin said. “I don’t get them that often. When I do, they are exciting for me.

“That was my biggest match of the year.”

It was also one of his biggest wins of the season. Stulpin defeated Merkel 7-6 by overpowering the elusive senior for takedowns and by planting himself stomach first on the mat as time expired.

“He’s a leg rider and he has some funky stuff,” Stulpin said after he improved to 23-0. “I had to use my strengths to prevent him from using his, and then see where it went.”

Stulpin led the match 5-3 when he earned another two points. Merkel wiggled his way to a reversal to make the score 7-5 during the final 45 seconds.

While Merkel fought to turn over Stulpin, the Spencerport senior unknowingly was called for stalling. That gave Merkel another point, but not enough time or leverage to flip Stulpin.

“I’d give myself about a ‘B’ Stulpin said. “It’s not my ‘A’ game yet. I’ve got things to work on if I’m going to get myself back to the state meet.”

Mike Terenzi at 130 and Andy Peters at 215 also won their divisions to help Spencerport score 308.5 points and finish on top in team scoring. Holley had 166.5 to finish second and was followed by Hilton (146) and Kendall (138).

Kendall freshman Geoff Chippendale (19-3) was named the most outstanding wrestler after he upset Spencerport senior Josh Fuller, 17-7, in the 112 final. Fuller also wrestled in the 2002 state tournament.

“When I went out there, it was not to get pinned,” Chippendale admitted. “Then I got that first takedown, and I kept trying from there. I figured I could win.”

Fuller led the match 6-2 in the second period when Chippendale took advantage of a mistake and went ahead to stay.

Fairport 145-pounder Dan Safranac (20-4), a Monroe County champion as a junior last season, edged Kendall’s Donald Williams 6-5 to win their middleweight bracket.

Safranac led 5-0 when Williams spun around the Fairport senior after a takedown attempt with 25 seconds remaining in the second period.

Williams chose the bottom position to start the third and tied the score 30 seconds later when he stepped over Safranac’s body to gain control for a reversal.

Safranac escaped to retake the lead with 45 seconds remaining and fought off another spin attempt for points by Williams.

“(Low single-leg takedowns) are what I like to do,” Safranac said. “He started to go on the offensive and I don’t have the best defense in the world. That’s why I started to slow down a little bit.”

E-mail address: jjohnson@DemocratandChronicle.com

CLAYTON BARNARD TOURNAMENT

at Hilton

Final results

Team scores: Spencerport 308.50 points, Holley 166.5, Hilton 146, Kendall 138, Geneva 126.5, Fairport 102, Corinth-II 98, Baldwinsville-III 95.5, Sweet Home-VI 90, North Rose-Wolcott 85.5, Kenmore West-VI 82.5, West Seneca West-VI 66.5, Waterloo 59, McQuaid 49.5, Tonawanda-VI 48, Pavilion 44, Shaker-II 29.5.

Individual results

96 pounds: Pete Achilles (Geneva) pinned Eric Piedmonte (Spencerport), 1:45. 103: Anwar Goeres (Holley) defeated Derek Gray (Spencerport), superior decision, 12-0. 112: Geoff Chippendale (Kendall) def. Josh Fuller (Spencerport), major decision, 17-7. 119: Andrew Stella (Sweet Home) dec. Joe Ranzenbach (Hilton), 6-2. 125: Andrew Grillo (Holley) dec. Kris MacBeth (Spencerport), 7-0. 130: Mike Terenzi (Spencerport) def. Adam Palermo (Hilton), superior decision, 19-6. 135: Matt Beres (Kendall) def. Chuck Zimmerman (Spencerport), 1-0 overtime. 140: Mark Bloom (Geneva) dec. Mike Brongo (Spencerport), 11-4. 145: Dan Safranac (Fairport) dec. Donald Williams (Kendall), 6-5. 152: Gene Lang (Baldwinsville) dec. Torry Tooley (Kendall), 7-2. 160: Steve Stulpin (Spencerport) dec. Andy Merkel (McQuaid), 7-6. 171: Nick Buttles (Corinth) pinned Seb Fratto (Geneva), 2:22. 189: Mike Sanacore (Corinth) def. Richard Williams (Kendall), major decision, 13-4. 215: Andy Peters (Spencerport) def. John Cloonan (Fairport), major decision, 12-3. 275: Ben Doty (Holley) pinned Scott Ordway (Kenmore West), 1:53.