Spencerport defeats Brockport
James Johnson . Staff writer . January 29, 2012
www.rochesterdandc.com

SPENCERPORT - Austin Coleman is called "Big Tree" inside the Spencerport wrestling room.

Coleman, the team's 285-pounder, came down hard Saturday during Senior Night at Spencerport, and helped the Rangers turn back another challenger in Section V.

Spencerport's Mike Roman lifts Brockport's Josh Maier during their 152-pound bout on Saturday. Roman won, 8-7 in three overtimes. CARLOS ORTIZ/staff photographer

Spencerport trailed by two points after nine of 15 matches, when Coleman and Jon Haas, the smallest wrestler in the team's lineup, produced pins in back-to-back matches that launched the Rangers to a 37-28 win.

"That was their job," Spencerport captain and 160-pounder Steve Maier said. "We kind of knew those were the places we could score big points. (Coleman) went out like I never seen him go out."

Coleman wrestled aggressively at the start of his bout against a much smaller Ryan Mattison and controlled the action from the start. The fall came after 52 seconds.

The Rangers had the lead again, then were on their way to another overall win when Haas pinned Brockport's Mike Marchetti after 1:36 of the 99-pound match.

Spencerport's win clinched another Monroe County Division II title. The Rangers continue to roll along despite whispers that this is the year another team could knock off Spencerport.

"It's faith in the team," Coleman said. "Each guy knows what they have to do, even before they go out there.

"It feels amazing (to win), especially since they are crosstown rivals."

Good teams like Brockport come, challenge Spencerport, but fall short of the upset in tournaments or dual meets.

The last time Spencerport lost a dual match to another Monroe County league team was at Brighton in December of 1991, a span of 198 matches.

Spencerport athletic director John Pelin also said that Wayne is the last Section V team to top the Rangers in a dual, back in 2006.

"You look on their roster," Brockport coach Mike Ferris said. "You have next generation Spencerport wrestlers.

"The community supports them, your uncle (a former Spencerport wrestler) is training you, and these kids don't want to lose."

Even the Spencerport wrestlers that did lose Saturday understood what was needed so that the Rangers won.

Sal Mingoea had a bout with Brockport 106-pounder Barton Peters, who handled the Spencerport wrestler during the finals of the Monroe County Championships.

Peters needed a pin for Brockport, with Spencerport ahead 28-18. So, Peters bent Mingoea this and that way but the Spencerport lightweight escaped big trouble each time.

Peters won 12-0. Spencerport led 28-22 with three matches remaining.

JAMESJ@DemocratandChronicle.com