FREWSBURG - When Randy and Cody Spicer took the reins of the Frewsburg wrestling program at the beginning of this season, they came in with some lofty goals.
"What we are trying to do is create a program that the whole community can be proud of," Randy Spicer said, "and we've told the kids that it takes a special kind of person to be a part of the Frewsburg program. Some of the rules are tough ... but the kids are buying into it."
And thanks to a pair of the Spicers' "special kind" of people - seniors Devone Adelgren and James Haick, who helped the hosts overcome a rather rough start to the match - the Bears took yet another step in the right direction on Thursday evening with a victory over visiting Portville, 36-26, in the "Den of the Bears" at Frewsburg Central School.
Article Photos
Frewsburg’s Devone Adelgren, top, needed 1 minute, 42 seconds to pin Portville’s Robert Wheeler at 145 pounds in Thursday’s Division 2 wrestling match. See additional photos at cu.post-journal.com.
P-J photo by Rob Tucker
"Both of those guys, Devo and James, are seniors," Cody Spicer said, "and they did an excellent job tonight. Those two guys won us the match. They went out and got it done."
After dropping each of the first three bouts - at the 126-, 132- and 138-pound weight classes - by fall to find themselves facing a quick, 18-0 deficit, it was Adelgren who turned the tide first at 145 pounds against Portville's Robert Wheeler.
The senior, who is able to compete at a number of different weight classes depending on where he is needed, started quickly against Wheeler, recording a two-point takedown just 15 seconds into the battle. A minute later, still forceful and aggressive, he collected two more points to extend his lead - to that point the first Frewsburg had enjoyed during a bout - to 4-0 before flattening Wheeler with 18 seconds remaining, giving the Bears a much-needed and, as it turned out, a crucial six points.
"Devo bounces all around the lineup," Cody Spicer said. "He's our go-to guy. We know if we need something he's going to get it for us. Tonight he went out, did what we needed him to and won us the match."
Haick, following his teammate at 152 pounds, kept the pressure on as he delivered a takedown and a three-second near fall against Portville's Dom Puccinelli to get out to the 5-0 lead, and then with 11 seconds remaining (in the first period) he ended things by securing the victory by fall.
Haick's match - which cut the Portville lead to six, 18-12 - coupled with the Bears' four wins by forfeit at 170, 195, 220 and 285, clinched the Division 2 win.
Portville, meanwhile, dropped to 1-10 overall despite its strong start.
Ryan Thierman, who is now 14-1 this season, topped sophomore Jon Martin; Dan Wenke then pinned freshman Preston Rhodes and Jayce Freeborn capped the winning streak with by flattening another sophomore, Kyle Parker.
In each match, however, the Bears had opportunities to complete a move and take the victory, but instead overpursued and found themselves on the bottom of the opportunistic Portville wrestlers as the referee slapped the mat to signal a pin.
"It was a rough start," Cody Spicer said, shaking his head. "We had the move (during those early matches) but then we would try to force it. We tried to force things a little too much tonight, and (by doing that) we actually kind of forced ourselves onto our own backs."
Frewsburg, which has now won two straight meets, will be looking to make it three in a row on Wednesday when it hosts Randolph at 6:30 p.m.
120: Double forfeit.
126: Ryan Thierman (P) p. Jon Martin, 3:10.
132: Dan Wenke (P) p. Preston Rhodes, 2:29.
138: Jayce Freeborn (P) p. Kyle Parker, 1:26.
145: Devone Adelgren (F) p. Robert Wheeler, 1:42.
152: James Haick (F) p. Dom Puccinelli, 1:49.
160: Gunnar VanCuren (P) tf. Robert Russo, 3:15.
170: Cody Haller (F) by forfeit.
182: Tyler Veno (P) d. Austin Lynn, 5-3.
195: Trevor Spicer (F) by forfeit.
220: Zach Haller (F) by forfeit.
285: Tyler Pearson (F) by forfeit.
99: Double forfeit.
106: Double forfeit.
113: Double forfeit.