A Geneva Panthers wrestler has brought home a state title after an undefeated run at the New York State Wrestling Championships, held this weekend in Albany.
Gianni Velazquez entered the 215-pound bracket as the No. 2 seed with a 39-3 record. By the end of the tournament, he was the last wrestler standing. In Saturday’s championship match, Velazquez secured the title with a pinfall victory over No. 5 seed Cody Alessi from Section 10.
Velazquez returned home Sunday to a hero’s welcome, riding atop a Geneva fire truck alongside his coaches and teammates as the community celebrated his championship victory.
Congratulations also to Odessa Montour’s Lucas Hoffman, who wrestled for a state championship Saturday in Albany in the 118-pound weight class. Hoffman, the #3 seed in the bracket, lost by a 9-8 decision in the championship match to Andrew Juliano of Holland Point out of Section Three. Hoffman finished the season with a 40-7 record. Penn Yan’s Jacob Eaves went 2-2 at the state finals in the 175-pound weight class. Jacob finished the season 42-10.
