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Mat Cats Take Down Fairview and Valley Forge

By Tim Putka '22, 12/12/20, 8:45AM EST

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Early in the season, the Wildcat Wrestlers continue to show promise.

The Wrestling Cats continued the 2020-2021 season Thursday night at Valley Forge, competing against Fairview and Valley Forge at 6:30 p.m.

Both Fairview and Valley Forge were down several wrestlers. The missing weight classes for the Fairview squad caused them to surrender forfeits to the Cats at 106, 113, 120, and 126. The forfeits were secured by freshman Landen Knight, senior Grayson McLellan, junior Connor Gisztl, and sophomore Ryan Putka.

The action began at 132, which saw Cayden Basinski bumped up to a heavier weight to wrestle a tough Fairview foe. This weight disadvantage worked against Basinski, as he was tech falled in the second period, but Basinski fought valiantly against a larger opponent and did not give up a pin.

Again, due to the lack of wrestlers, Fairview surrendered a forfeit to senior captain Anthony Santagata.

The second match for the Cats of the night saw 145 pounder Calum Campolieti make quick work of his opponent, taking him down inside of 10 seconds, before swiftly pinning him in 19 seconds.

At 152, junior Sam Infante began the match with a quick takedown, followed by a set of 2 near fall points via a cradle. In the second period, Infante and his opponent traded reversals, leading into the third. In the third, Infante was caught, and ceded a pin to his opponent.

Arguably the match of the night, first year wrestler Mazen Sarkis took the mat for the Cats at 160. Sarkis showcased all that he had learned so quickly, taking his opponent down in the first accompanied by 3 near fall points. In the second, Sarkis continued to dominate his opponent, taking his opponent down after choosing neutral and eventually pinning his opponent in 2:57. This led to the eruption of the Wildcats bench, overjoyed to see Sarkis perform so well.

Due again to the lack of Fairview wrestlers, as well as due to injury/Covid-19, Fairview and the Cats both forfeited 170, and the Cats’ Andrew Chime picked up the forfeit at 182.

Junior Mason Smart wrestled next for the Cats. Smart surrendered a takedown in the first period, and in the second traded reversals with his opponent. In the third, he was bested by his opponent, as after he escaped he was taken down and surrendered a penalty point, dropping a decision for the Cats.

At 220 for the Cats, Cayden Periandri began the first period with a takedown, before trading reversals with his opponent in the second and ultimately succumbing to a pin.

Newly elected senior captain Carter Zimmerman finished off the match on a positive note for the Cats, toying with his opponent as he took him down repeatedly and released him, eventually pinning his opponent in 54 seconds.

The Mat Cats secured the victory against Fairview with a team score of 54-20 and then squared off with Valley Forge, attempting to pick up another win and remain undefeated.

Valley Forge, much like Fairview, lacked many weights, and in so forfeited 106, 113, 132, 138, 145, 152, 182, 195, 220, and 285. Due to Covid-19/injury, the Cats forfeited 170. The forfeits mentioned above were secured by Landen Knight, Grayson McLellan, Cayden Basinski, Anthony Santagata, Calum Campoletti, Sam Infante, Andrew Chime, Mason Smart, Patrick Clink, and Angelo Camargo.

With the forfeits out of the way, and the team score already lopsided in favor of the Cats at 60-6, the wrestling began at 120, with junior Connor Gisztl.

Gisztl was pitted against an evenly matched opponent, setting the stage for a match that would be nail biting. Connor surrendered a takedown and 3 near fall points early in the first, before escaping. In the second, Gisztl traded reversals with his opponent, leaving the score at 7-3 heading into the third. Gisztl was resilient in the third, as he took his opponent down, before earning 2 penalty points as a result of his opponent stalling, tying up the match as it headed to overtime. In overtime, Connor wasted no time, showcasing his conditioning and quickly taking his opponent down to secure the decision for the Cats, 9-7.

Next up for the Cats was Ryan “Animal” Putka at 126. Putka put on a display why the team calls him such in this match, relentlessly tiring out his opponent as he took him down and got 3 near fall points in the first, before securing a reversal in the second, followed by 2 more near fall points, before eventually pinning his opponent with a half nelson in 3:16.

The last match for the Cats was at 160, as Mazen Sarkis looked to build on the momentum of his first match. Unfortunately for Sarkis, he was pitted against an opponent who had more wrestling experience, and as a result suffered a pin in 55 seconds.

Also picking up an exhibition win for the Cats at 160 was Sam Infante, who made quick work of his opponent and pinned him.

The Cats walked away from the match with Valley Forge with a 69-12 win, putting them at 3-0 on the season.

After the matches Coach Jon Polick said, “Coach Sullivan challenged the guys to increase their efforts in practice and wanted an extra focus on technique this week. I think our wrestlers responded well and are continuing to build and move in the right direction.”

The Mat Cats will attempt to continue to build and move in the right direction as they compete against Cuyahoga Heights Friday night at 6 p.m. at home.