Dobbs Ferry focuses in, upends Pleasantville
Dobbs Ferry focuses in, upends Pleasantville
By Tony Pinciaro
The Journal News
(Original publication: December 22, 2006)
DOBBS FERRY - Prior to his team's match yesterday, Dobbs Ferry senior John Zink did not appreciate the excessive banter.
The Eagles were preparing to leave their locker room and make the trip upstairs to the gymnasium, where Pleasantville was waiting.
"We seemed kind of unfocused," the 160-pounder said. "The guys were doing a lot of talking, and they didn't seem to have their heads in the game."
Zink, being a captain, felt it was time to assert his authority.
"I yelled at them to stop talking and get focused," he said. "I told them not to think about what they needed to do."
Dobbs Ferry adhered to Zink's words and used a flurry of pins to overpower Pleasantville 42-33.
"Once we got upstairs, ran out here and started doing laps around the mat, everything started clicking," Zink said.
The Eagles, now 3-1-1, were trailing 15-10 after five matches when Zink's match came.
Zink, who had been wrestling at 152 pounds, was moved up a weight class by coach Jamie Block. Before taking the mat to face Raf Tigre, Zink received some prematch words from former teammate and 2006 Division II 160-pound sectional champion Eric Sitman.
"I was pumped up to wrestle him, and then Eric told me I could beat him because he felt I was a better technical wrestler," Zink said. "That gave me confidence going into the match."
Zink displayed his prowess with a 16-0 technical fall. Zink rang up 12 points on a quartet of tilts and arm bars.
"In some of my matches I've been real nervous being a senior and feeling the pressure to get six points," Zink said. "Our coaches usually tell me to picture myself in the wrestling room down below. That's what I did."
Following Zink's performance were Matt Higbie (171), Edgar Remotti (189) and Nick Kikis (215) with pins. The 23 consecutive points gave Dobbs Ferry a 33-15 advantage.
Senior Harry Kyreakedes, who pinned in his 112-pound bout, did not hesitate when he cited how things changed.
"John's match was definitely the turning point," Kyreakedes said. "Once I saw that and we started rolling, I knew this was going to be a good outcome."
This was Dobbs Ferry's first win over Pleasantville since the Eagles returned to the varsity level in 1999, according to Block. It was meaningful to the seniors.
"They beat us pretty bad the first couple of years and then last year was exciting," Kyreakedes said. "This was a big win for us. Everyone came through for us. This is pretty surprising, I'm not going to lie."
Pleasantville coach Bob Bernarducci was disappointed following the loss, but was more concerned for Jon Alvarez.
The senior 145-pounder suffered what Bernarducci said was a dislocated elbow during his match with Matt Ferrari. Alvarez was taken out on a stretcher with his arm immobilized.
"That was a big turning point in the match, and I think it affected us a little, but Dobbs Ferry stepped up when they had to," Bernarducci said. "I think our freshmen did a great job and I didn't think that some of our juniors and seniors wrestled up to their capability."
Reach Tony Pinciaro at apinciar@lohud.com or 914-696-8234.