SYRACUSE — The Saratoga Springs wrestling team has a mixture of experience and youth, which over the course of the season has worked in tandem to send the Blue Streaks to the NYSPHSAA Division 1 dual meet championships.
It all starts with 131-pounder Taylor Beaury, a junior who has been to the state tournament twice.
Then the Blue Streaks have 215-pound senior Pat McKinley, who may tell you he’s more of a baseball player. Don’t let him fool you, he’s as big of a threat at 215 that you’ll find in Section 2.
Saratoga Springs coach Jake Zanetti has been able to rely on eighth-grader Brendan Stoutenburg out of the 101 spot, while freshman Gianni Bench has held down the fort at 108.
Sophomores Chase Matter (124) and Danny Dacey (145) both have their eyes on the state tournament, along with junior Gianni Delgado (170).
However, before Saratoga Springs was able to reach the dual meet championships on Saturday, they needed to get Beaury healthy.
“I had a broken collar bone right before the season started, so that took a lot to recover. When I started back, it just kept hurting worse,” Beaury said. “Finally, I went to physical therapy and got it figured out. Then, when I came back from that, I hit the mat hard and fractured my jaw. It was mentally defeating.
“You’ll get in those moments in your head, worried that it won’t be good, but you just have to push through it and keep going.”
While Beaury was sidelined, sophomore Luke Stoutenburg filled the bulk of the duties at 131 pounds for the Blue Streaks.
However, with the required three matches and six weigh-ins under his belt, Beaury was finally able to join the fray for the Section 2 dual meet championships, winning both of his matches against Averill Park and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake on Jan. 17.
After winning five more matches on Jan. 20 to earn first place at the King Bison invitational, Beaury was ready to compete against some of the best teams in the state.
The Blue Streaks took the mat on Saturday morning against Horseheads in their first matchup at the dual meet state championships. Saratoga Springs came away with a 32-29 victory, with Beaury, Matter and McKinley earning pinfall victories.
“When one person starts winning, it gets everyone motivated and ready to go out there and get a pin,” Beaury said.
Christopher Johnson earned a 15-0 technical fall at 116, while Delgado, Dacey and Luke Stoutenburg (138) all picked up favorable decisions.
Saratoga Springs’ next dual meet didn’t go as well against the ultimate Division 1 champion. Plainedge came away with a 43-18 victory, as McKinley and Brendan Stoutenburg earned pins for Saratoga Springs. Beaury and Bench earned decisions, in the Blue Streaks only other wins of the match.
“They’re a strong team,” Beaury said. “Every guy on that team was jacked.”
While the loss brought an end to Saratoga Springs’ hopes of a team championship, it was a valuable experience for every member of the team, including first-year wrestler Dakarai Davis.
Weighing in at 215 pounds, Davis has bumped up to the 285-pound weight class. The junior has posted a 12-17 record in his first season on the mat.
“When I first started it was a little confusing, getting used to all the drills and everything,” Davis said. “And all of a sudden, now I’m going up against wrestlers who have been to states, guys who have been doing it for years. It’s definitely a lot of pressure on my shoulders not wanting to let down my teammates.”
Beaury has enjoyed having Davis join the group, watching as he’s learned to sport and contributed to the varsity team right away.
“He’s our team spirit right there,” Beaury said. “Dakarai is a first-year wrestler. He came over from football, and in the first practice, he just started tackling people. He’s awesome.”
“It made me feel like I was a part of something bigger, part of the team,” Davis said of his desire to wrestle. “It’s like a family that we have.”
Davis went from being a linebacker in the fall with no wrestling experience to competing in the dual meet state championships.
“It’s crazy,” Davis said. “It’s my first year wrestling, and I’m here at the state championships. I can’t really explain how crazy it is right now.”
What an incredible journey for the Saratoga Springs wrestling team! From overcoming injuries to welcoming new members, the team has shown resilience and determination. The experience gained from competing in the dual meet state championships will undoubtedly benefit each member in their future wrestling endeavors. Congratulations to the Blue Streaks for their hard work and dedication!
Great job, Saratoga Springs wrestlers! Your combination of experience and youth paid off in the Dual Meet Championships. Keep up the amazing work!