Fairport's Josh Lackey wins long-awaited Clayton Barnard wrestling title
James Johnson . Staff writer . January 15, 2012
www.rochesterdandc.com

PARMA - Josh Lackey won his fourth high school wrestling tournament of the season Saturday.

That would be four more than the Fairport senior won all of last or any other varsity season.

"I didn't win any tournament last year,'' Lackey said. "I made a few finals.

"I haven't won any tournaments until this year.''

Lackey, who wrestles at 220 pounds, pinned Webster Schroeder's Alex Gruevski during the finals of the Clayton Barnard Memorial Wrestling Tournament at Hilton.

That makes 21 pins for Lackey in 25 matches. He has won all but one bout. The loss came to Shenendehowa's Tony Fusco during a dual.

"I lost 10-3. I hung in there the whole match,'' Lackey said. "He is ranked No. 1 in the state (at 195).

"It's good to see what you need to work on for the next level. You can't be complacent. You have to move forward.''

Last season at 171 pounds, Lackey was on his way to the SuperSectionals, Section V's qualifier for the state championships, when he tore the meniscus in his left knee during a practice the day before the tournament.

"It's hard not to finish the season positively," Lackey said. "It helps you comeback the next year and say, 'I have to make up for last year.'"

Lackey, undefeated in Section V, probably has earned himself the No. 1 seed for the Monroe County Championships on Friday and Saturday at Webster Schroeder.

"He's wrestling with athleticism,'' Fairport coach Michael Kohl said. "He's shooting (for takedowns), moving, that kind of stuff.

"The two kids that gave him the most trouble last year were (Pittsford's) Ian Solcz and (Brockport's) Richie Childs."

Both of those wrestlers are out of high school.

Spencerport again was out of reach when it came to team scoring at the Clayton Barnard. A total of 282.5 points clinched Spencerport's 15th consecutive title at Hilton, as the Rangers had eight finalists, including Angelo DeAngelis and Mike Spallina at 132.

Brockport, with the Monroe County Championships ahead next weekend at Webster Schroeder and a dual at Spencerport on Jan. 28, finished second.

"It's not everyone else versus Spencerport but it's going to take a collective effort (to knock off the Rangers)," Brockport coach Mike Ferris said. "I'm still looking to have five champions there.

"If we do, and other guys wrestle tough, we'll have a shot. The same thing with Webster Schroeder."

Webster Schroeder, which did not send its strongest lineup with three wrestlers in Sullivan County for the Eastern States Classic, was third at Hilton, followed by Fairport.

Medina senior Tristan Hamner won the tournament's most anticipated final after he edged Spencerport 152-pounder Steve Maier (27-2), 3-1 in OT.

Hamner (19-0), the tournament's most outstanding wrestler, patiently waited for a chance to strike, and made good on a double-leg takedown attempt with 7.6 seconds remaining in the first 1-minute overtime.

Hilton 113-pound sophomore Vincent DePrez won his team's tournament for the first time, after two previous final appearances. More importantly, DePrez improved his record to an unblemished 32-0.

JAMESJ@DemocratandChronicle.com