Cameron County wrestlers take fourth
Baker, Schatz reach finals

Mike Baker reached the final round before falling.

Cameron County took fourth in a field of 13 schools at the sixth annual Big 30 Classic Tournament in Olean, N.Y., last weekend.

Next up for the Red Raiders is a trip to the Coudersport Duals on Saturday, followed by a trip to Kane on Tuesday night.

Juniors Mike Baker and Randy Schatz each battled into the final round before falling.

Baker had the anticipated rematch with Oswayo Valley senior Brandon Slater at 160 and dropped a tough 6-4 decision, as Slater scored a late reversal to crack a 4-4 tie. He opened with a 12-5 verdict over Pioneer's Jon Krueger, then blanked Smethport's Cody Freer, 6-0, in the semifinals to earn the match with Slater.

Schatz, overcoming some nagging injuries, pinned Franklinville's Kyle Bowen in less than a minute, then dropped Great Valley's Nathan Garfield in just 29 seconds in the semifinals. He faced Bolivar- Richburg's top-seeded Matt Appleby in the finals and was beaten, 11-2.

Taylor Songer took third at 152. He opened with a technical fall and an 11-5 decision, but fell in the semifinals to the eventual champion, Mark Havers of Bradford. Songer rebounded for wins of 5-1 and 13-1.

Matt Burke posted a third place finish at 285. He lost his opener by decision, but bounced back for a pair of pins, including a 26-second fall in the consolation finals.

Marcus Mullens (171) also placed third. After winning a 10-2 decision, he lost 5-0 in the quarterfinals. But Mullens fought back for a pin in 26 seconds and then claimed a 7-3 in the consolation finals.

Bryce Frey took fourth at 140. He won a 13-7 decision and recorded a pin in 5:00.

Matt Bailey was fourth at 135 with a pair of pins. Tyler Bidwell took fifth at 130. Dom Manginell was sixth at 125.