After a brutal three-match losing streak heading into their meeting against SUNY Oneonta on Feb. 8, the Oswego wrestling team was looking to make a statement.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, they could not slay the dragon this time around. It was a valiant effort, however Oswego fell just short, with a final score 21-18.
Heading into the matchup, Oswego had been stumbling of late, losing three straight matches.
The Lakers have seen many great individual performances throughout the season. Freshman Tyler Reseeny (29-8) leads the team in wins. Team captain, junior Charlie Grygas (23-1), is ranked top five in the country by most publications. And, senior Logan McGloine (20-9), freshman Michael Santore (17-14) and junior Bryce Smith (17-12) are each having breakout seasons of their own. However, the team once again could not put everything together on the same night against Oneonta.
Going into the matchup knowing they were facing an uphill battle in terms of experience, Oswego was hoping to use what they learned from their previous losses to edge this one out. Head coach Mike Howard emphasized how close they were in multiple outings recently, and this time around was no different.
“We had the right people in the right situations,” Howard said. “We lost some close matchups, and if you flip the tide on some of those we come out with the W.”
While there were many adjustments the team hoped to implement, it was not enough for them. The veteran Oneonta team earned the only two pinfall victories of the matchup, along with winning three other decisions over the Lakers to narrowly defeat Oswego State.
During the matchup, Oswego had impressive showings from the usual suspects. Tyler Rossini decisively earned his technical fall during the 149-pound matchup against Greg Brach, giving his team five points after outscoring Brach 22-7 in six minutes. Grygas added to his case as one of the best in the country with four of his own after his major decision in the 174-pound matchup against Kenny Sauer, final decision 15-7.
Although this gives them their fourth loss in a row, there is a quick turnaround for the Lakers, with them hosting SUNY Cortland this Saturday. Coach Howard knows what his team must do to succeed.
“Working a little harder on the bottom, staying in good position, staying on our feet. If we’re not gonna get out, we have to at least hold position,” Howards said. “And then when the opportunity arises when you can stand at our feet we have to take advantage of that and force the issue. We have to be more assertive when the whistle blows.”
The team has been training hard, but it will be up to them to execute. Fortunately, the team has been working well together.
“[The team has] great team chemistry between upperclassmen and underclassmen, always playing games between each other before and after practice, cheering each other on,” Grygas said.
While it is always a plus to share a bond between teammates, the Lakers know what will help unify them on a new level: winning. There is plenty of buzz going around the team, with the potential for multiple players to qualify for nationals; the job is far from complete.
Despite historically struggling against SUNY Cortland at 2-17, this young group is looking to change the narrative. With only five of their 31 members of the team being seniors, many of them have long careers ahead of them. It is only a matter of time before this young team can bring it all together on the mat.
Photo via: Oswego Athletics
