The Steinbrenner wrestling team competed in a tournament at Robinson on Saturday, January 28. They had four duels (competed against four other teams) in which they performed incredibly. The team won its first three duels defeating Gaither high school. Sickles, and Jefferson. The last duel against Robinson was valiantly fought to a draw, with Robinson claiming the win with a technicality.
In the first duel against Gaither there were significant wins from sophomore Anthony Vitale, senior and co-captain Brett Behers, Justin Moran, sad and senior and co-captain Spencer Phillips.
The second duel was against Sickles high school with significant wins from sophomore Matthew Gallo, senior Victor Dittrich, senior Garrett Lund, sophomore Nathaniel Bautista, sophomore Anthony Vitale, senior Brett Behers, sophomore Justin Moran, senior Spencer Phillips, junior Michael Fernari, and senior Trey Tyree.
In the next duel, Steinbrenner faced Jefferson with significant wins from senior Garrett Lund, sophomore Nathaniel Bautista, sophomore Justin Moran, senior Spencer Phillips, senior Trey Tyree, and sophomore Matthew Gallow.
Finally when the team faced Robinson the wins came from senior Garrett Lund, sophomore Anthony Vitale, senior Brett Behers, sophomore Justin Moran, senior Spencer Phillips, and senior Trey Tyree.
The team showed their skill throughout the tournament as they took on each opposing wrestler and with some matches causing the on lookers to hold their breath for every second. Steinbrenner had all but pushed the other teams aside up until the last duel with every match causing the crowd to clinch their seat and scream. The team had each member giving it their all as they pushed Robinson to their limit. When the duel finally ended in the draw, everyone was quiet waiting for the referees to look over the rules and decide who came out on top. The team felt the blow when Robinson took the win.
“It ultimately came down to who had the more pins and who won the matches more aggressively,” said senior and co-captain Brett Behers. “You can always do more, there is no such thing as an easy match in wrestling.”
Paying the technicality no mind the team decided to take the loss as a lesson to work even harder and become the best they can. Dedication was almost felt as the team left and they held their heads high for the next tournament.
“Matches are won at practice, the guy who has the most heart is going to come out with their hand raised every single time,” said sophomore Justin Moran.
