Two Mustangs win sectional titles

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Joe Velez

Charles Beach

Two Medina High seniors, Joe Velez (126) and Charles Beach (220), both captured individual weight class titles at the Section VI Division 2 (small schools) wrestling championships held today at Jamestown Community College.

Improving to 36-5 on the season, Velez edged David Poff (Gowanda) 4-2 in the semifinals and then nipped Brice Rowe (Chautauqua Lake) 2-1 in the championship match.

Beach, who is now 29-1 on the season, edged past Zac Spears (Olean) 4-2 in the semis and then decisioned Matt Eldridge (Depew) 8-4 in the title bout.

In earning the titles Velez and Beach both qualify for the upcoming state championships.

Medina also had eighth grader Colby Petrie place third at 106. He decisioned Doug Ciszak (Pioneer) 3-1 for third place honors.

“It was a very good day for us with two firsts and a third,” said Medina Coach Eric Gross. “I’m very pleased with their performance. Joe was in a very loaded weight class, Charles did a real good job after not having wrestled for a while and Colby did very well for an eighth grader.”

Cameron Swick of Barker/Roy-Hart also captured the 160 lb. title by nipping Trevor Micek (Maple Grove) 3-2 in overtime in the finals.