Mustang matmen place third at inaugural Gary Gross Memorial Tourney

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Brennen Callara works toward a win over Wilson’s Jacob Sanborn during the Mustangs inaugural Gary Gross Memorial Tournament today.

Compiling a 3-2 record, the host Mustangs earned third place honors today at Medina’s inaugural Gary Gross Memorial Wrestling Tournament.

Lockport captured the team championship with a 5-0 record followed by St. Joe’s at 4-1 in the tournament which is dedicated to the memory of Medina Coach Eric Gross’s dad, Gary Gross, a long-time avid supporter of the local wrestling program, who passed away in the fall of 2013.

Medina Coach Eric Gross and his mother, Barbara Gross, present championship t-shirts to Lockport co-captains Marquis Sanders and Alex Fogle.

Lockport defeated St. Joe’s 42-32 in the key matchup of the day. The Lions also defeated Medina 55-25, Maryvale 63-13, Wilson 72-12 and Williamsville East 66-9.

In finishing in the runner-up spot, St. Joe’s defeated Medina 48-30, Williamsville East 75-12, Wilson 70-9 and Maryvale 74-6.

Charles Beach, who earned the Most Outstanding Wrestler award for the upper weight classes, and Brennen Callara both went 5-0 on the day for Medina as Ryan Kruger and Joe Velez were both 4-1.

Medina Coach Eric Gross and Barbara Gross present a Most Outstanding Wrestler t-shirt to the Mustangs Charles Beach.

Beach, Callara, Kalvin Packer and Nick Doberstein all registered pins in the Mustangs win over Wilson. Velez also had pins against both Maryvale and Will East and Callara registered a fall against East.

Medina next hosts Depew at 6 p.m. Wednesday on a non league match to close out the regular season. The Mustangs will then participate in the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League Tournament next Saturday at Newfane.

Medina’s Joe Velez in route to scoring a win over Wilson’s Nick Martin.

Ryan Kruger works toward a win for Medina against Lockport’s Jason Robillard.