Sanborn, NY – The Garrett College wrestling team traveled to Niagara County Community College on December 4, 2021 to participate in the 2021 Thunderwolves Open. Garrett College loaded the top of the podium and brought home four open championships, one runner-up, and two third place finishes, in seven different weight divisions.
125 lb. Freshman Nathan Pelesky (North Star HS) added a first-place finish to a stellar start to his collegiate wrestling career. Pelesky pinned Isaiah Jackson (Brockport University) at 4:39 of the second period, in the first-place bout. Pelesky finishes the first half of the wrestling schedule with an 11-4 record, and has finished on the podium in all four events to this point. "Nathan has had an amazing start to his college wrestling career. Nathan pushes himself daily in our wrestling room, and the results have shown, having placed at every tournament we have wrestled to this point," stated GC head wrestling coach John Chambers. Pelesky placed 1st at the King of the Mont and the Thunderwolves Open, and in between those two tournaments placed 4th at the Washington & Jefferson Invitational and had a Top 8 placement at the Shorty Hitchcock Memorial Tournament which is loaded with NCAA Division I teams. "Nathan has put himself into a great position heading into the second half of the season from a district and national stand point," said Coach Chambers.
At 149 lbs., Trey Weinell (Derry Area HS/Edinboro University) decisioned Julian Aquino of Camden County Community College 8-2 on his way to his bracket title. "Trey is finally starting to get healthy. Trey got back to wrestling his style, free of pain, and has set himself up to have a strong second half. Weinell is a team leader and a returning NJCAA national qualifier," added Chambers.
The Lakers didn't stop there on their way to winning three consecutive weight classes. Noah Korenoski (Westmont Hilltop Co-Op) won the 157 lb. weight class; then Navid Ighani (Gaithersburg HS) followed suit at 165. Korenoski defeated Sam Grey (Brockport University) in SV-1, 3-1. "This was Korenoski's second sudden victory win of the day. Noah exhibits what Laker grit and determination is all about. Noah knows the grind of college wrestling after making a run as a national qualifier, a year ago. Noah brings the intensity to our room, works hard and it pays off," Chambers said. This is Korenoski's second first place finish of the 21-22 season. Freshman Navid Ighani has been quite the surprise at 165. Ighani decisioned Andrew Bungar (Jamestown Community College) 6-3 to bring home championship number four for the Lakers. "Since his arrival on campus, Navid has put in tireless work. He doesn't stop!" said Coach Chambers. This was Ighani's second first place finish of the first-half and also, had a top 8 finish at the Washington & Jefferson Invitational.
At 184, Paxton Wertz (Fort Hill HS) ran into a buzz saw in the finals. Wertz was pinned by Ryan Gulip (Jamestown Community College) at 2:13 of the second period. "Paxton ended up wrestling a former Marine ten years his senior. I commend Paxton for going right after his opponent in the first period. Paxton attacked and never quit. I mean, you have a true freshman wrestling a returning All-American who is 28 years old and has had that rugged military style marine training. I was so proud of Paxton. Wertz is a guy, who lost his senior year at Fort Hill high school due to the pandemic. He gets better each day and is figuring out his style of wrestling," added Chambers.
The Lakers final two podium spots were third place finishes, and belonged to Alex Vagnier (Winters Mill HS) at 133, and Elijah Hunter (Hanover HS) at 197.
GC Wrestling returns to action January 6-7, 2022 at the Multi-Divisional NWCA National Duals in Louisville, Kentucky, followed by three consecutive home tri-matches on January 22, 29 and February 5, 2022.
