Fairport wrestling coach relishes David vs. Goliath match against Spencerport
James Johnson . Staff writer . January 9, 2009
www.rochesterdandc.com


The team to beat, according to Fairport senior Ben Onderdonk and just about everyone else in Monroe County wrestling, is plain as the letters across the front of a Spencerport singlet.

"Spencerport is really deep,'' Fairport's 215-pounder said about the Rangers' lineup. "They get the ball rolling (against their opponent).

"It can be, 'My friend just got pinned, if I lose, no one will be surprised.'

"We have beaten some good teams, but we haven't beaten the best.''

The Fairport Red Raiders get a chance next week.

Spencerport, the state's top-ranked large-school team, wrestles at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Fairport. The teams are Nos. 1 and 2 in the Democrat and Chronicle's large school coaches' poll. Fairport is ranked No. 6 in the state.

Both teams have impressive numbers, but in Fairport coach Mike Kohl's mind, there is no doubt that the Red Raiders are underdogs.

"It would be like David beating Goliath,'' Kohl said. "We're excited for the opportunity.

"Spencerport sets the bar.''

The Red Raiders take a shot at Section V's wrestling Goliath with 10 seniors in their lineup. Most, if not all of those Red Raiders, were in the Spencerport gymnasium when the Raiders handled Fairport, 40-16, last season.

Given the turnover in Spencerport's lineup - which makes its first-place finish at the Union-Endicott Duals last week somewhat even more remarkable - there is the potential for just three rematches.

Ben Onderdonk could meet Spencerport senior Paul Glover, the reigning Division I 215-pound state champion. Fairport's Jeff Slabe and the Rangers' J.P. Hayden usually wrestle at 119. The same goes for Spencerport's Nick Baxter and Fairport's Jeff Cowden at 171.

"We're really anxious to see how it goes,'' Fairport senior 160-pounder Adam Onderdonk said. "There's going to be a lot of pressure, and it's going to be pretty exciting.

"Last year, we didn't know what to expect. This year, we have seniors who have wrestled (the Rangers). We know what a duel with Spencerport is like.''

Put simply: tough.