Some extra notes and quotes from Saturday's state wrestling championships:
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Fredonia coach Alex Conti was emotional when discussing 96-pounder Carlene Sluberski, the first female to place in a state championship -- much less a second place after reaching the final.
"Carlene is a gracious winner and a gracious loser," said Conti as tears welled up in his eyes. "She epitomizes what this sport is all about.
"I will miss her and the wrestlers on my team will miss her."
* * *
Fredonia's Kenny Betts on his championship win:
"I had to wrestle a lot smarter than just go out there and brawl," he said of facing the long and lean Craig Scott of Lyons. "I didn't want to go underneath him because I didn't want to get into bad position."
* * *
East Aurora 119-pounder Matt Peters, who had beaten his final bout opponent, Quinton Murphy of Holley, earlier this season, recalled the first match when he ran the same cross-wrist tilt he used in the final.
"I was on top for 10 seconds in the first match and I scored two points with it," Peters said.
Peters received numerous congratulations from his coaches and fellow wrestlers.
"It feels breathtaking," Peters said. "This was my last high school match so I wanted to leave it all on the mat."
* * *
Pioneer's Kyle Colling led 8-0 through two periods of his 215-pound final and was never in danger. "This feels awesome," he said.
* * *
The smile on the face of Tonawanda 112-pounder Kyle McGregor's face explained how he felt.
"I don't know how to describe it," said McGregor of his first state title.
"Once I got legs in I was trying to run the power half and get some back points," McGregor said. "I could feel him on bottom getting tired so that made me work harder to keep him there."
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