Four eye wrestling state titles

ALBANY, N.Y. » Four Dispatch-area wrestlers went undefeated on Friday at the New York State Wrestling championships at the Times Union Center.

Camden’s Devin Coleman and Riley Gerber, Chittenango’s Connor Fredericks, and Canastota’s Doug Simmons all posted consecutive victories in a strong showing for the Section III.

Last year’s 182-II state runner-up, Simmons, up in the 195II for his senior season, breezed through his first two matches, advancing past Gouverneur’s Tanner Donaldson via technical fall. In the quarters, Simmons posted a 10-1 major decision over Tioga’s Trey Floyd.

“Sticking to what we know. Staying basic. Out-conditioning them,” Simmons said of his strategy, adding that his experience from the 2016-17 season helped on Friday. “Without a doubt, it makes everything easier. There’s not really much fear. You just have to go out and get it done.”

In the semifinals, Simmons faced stiffer competition in Susquehanna Valley’s Richie Knapp, but still prevailed in a 6-5 decision to advance to the championship match. The senior Raider has no interest in taking 2nd this time around.

“Honestly, I’m looking for a title,” Simmons said.

Saturday night, No. 1 Simmons had the opportunity to take home the championship with a title match against Falconer’s No. 2Corey Keefe .

In the 99-II Coleman took out Powling’s Jerome Scott in a 7-2 decision in an opening round contest before pinning Andrew Lucinski, of Newfane. In the quarterfinal round to advance to the semifinals on Saturday. In the semis, Carter Schubert, of Williamson-Marion-Sodus, gave Coleman everything he could handle, taking the Camden Blue Devil into overtime, but Coleman escaped with a 2-1 win to earn a championship bout with Norwich’s Dante Geislinger.

Coleman’s teammate Gerber used a sudden victory win over Fredonia’s Giovanni Russo in the opening round of D-II 138 action