WRESTLING: TIOGA'S SILVESTRI, BELLIS, SMITH REACH PODIUM AT JOURNEYMEN'S N.Y. STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS (2021-04-03)

Valley Sports Report
MANHEIM, Pa. - Tioga, led by freshmen Gianni Silvestri and Caden Bellis, had three grapplers reach the podium this weekend at the Journeymen New York State High School Championships here at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex.

Silvestri, the returning Division 2 99-pound state champion, finished third at 113 pounds, while Bellis was fourth at 126 pounds, and sophomore Donovan Smith placed seventh at 145 pounds.

Silvestri and Bellis both opened their day Saturday with hard-fought losses in the semifinals.

Silvestri met a familiar foe in Canisteo-Greenwood junior Zavier DeJesus-Remchuk. Silvestri edged DeJesus-Remchuk, 5-4, in the state finals last year.

In the semifinals, DeJesus-Remchuk scored a first-period takedown for a 2-0 lead. He rode top on Silvestri for more than a minute in the second period, and led 2-1 entering the final two minutes.

DeJesus-Remchuk escaped 30 seconds into the third period, and fended off Silvestri's takedown attempts for the remainder of the bout.

In the consolation semifinals, Silvestri posted a 7-0 decision over Miller Place freshman Michael Giugliano.

Silvestri scored a takedown in the first period, then rode out the final 78 seconds to take a 2-0 lead into the second period.

Silvestri escaped in the second period, then scored a takedown to stretch his lead to 5-0, and rode out the final 50 seconds of the stanza.

Giuliano chose neutral to start the third period, but Silvestri scored a late takedown to seal the win.

In the third-place match, Silvestri forged a 3-0 decision over Royal Hartland sophomore Gavin Ciarfella.

Silvestri scored a takedown with 37 seconds remaining in the first period for a 2-0 lead, then registered an escape with 5 seconds remaining in the second period for a 3-0 lead.

Silvestri rode top the entire third period to preserve the win.

At 126 pounds, Bellis dropped a 4-3 decision in the semifinals to Washingtonville junior Andrew Marchese, who placed fifth in the Division 1 championships last year.

Bellis scored the initial takedown of the match midway through the first period, but Marchese escaped 18 seconds later to trim the deficit to 2-1. The duo spent the final 48 seconds on their feet.

Bellis upped his lead to 3-1 with an escape in the second period.

Marchese scored an escape early in the third period, then hit for a takedown nine seconds later to take a 4-3 lead. Marchese rode out the final 72 seconds to preserve the win.

In the consolation semifinals, Bellis blanked Walton senior Cody Merwin, 3-0.

Bellis scored a takedown late in the first period, and an escape midway through the second period. He rode top the entire third period to preserve the win.

In the third-place match, Bellis dropped an 11-0 major decision to Williamsville freshman Cameron Catrabone, who placed sixth at 120 pounds at the Division 1 championships last year.

Catrabone scored a five-point move early in the first period, then added three near-fall points in the second period for an 8-0 lead entering the third period. He tacked on an escape and a takedown in the final two minutes.

At 145 pounds, Smith lost via third-period fall to West Genesee junior Nate Wade, who placed sixth at 132 pounds last year in the New York State Division 1 championships.

After a scoreless first period, Smith scored an escape midway through the second period. Wade countered with a takedown just 14 seconds later, but Smith reversed him moments later to take a 3-2 lead into the third period.

Wade evened the match with an escape early in the third period, then turned a takedown into a pinning combination at 4:10.

In the seventh-place match, Smith rode a second-period escape to a 1-0 win over Massapequa's Alexander Giuliani. Smith rode top for the entire third period to preserve the win.

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IN PHOTO: Tioga's Gianni Silvestri (left) and Caden Bellis. ... VSR STOCK PHOTOS.

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