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Barsuch has carried that success into the current wrestling season and achieved a first Saturday. The sophomore won the 113-pound title at the 31st Edgemont Wrestling Tournament. It was Barsuch’s first wrestling tournament championship.
Barsuch added the exclamation point to his day with a pin of Pearl River’s Jake Kurzhais with 56 seconds remaining in the first period.
“Andrew has been working really hard and he quietly gets things done,” Croton coach Sam Occhipinti said. “His place finish in sectionals last year really motivated him to improve. He has done all the things he needed to do in order to get to the next level.”
The title-match win improved Barsuch’s record to a team-leading 30-2. Barsuch won his four tournament matches all by pin in the first period.
Going into the final against Kurzhais, Barsuch knew his opponent was going to present a challenge, especially after watching him in his quarterfinal match.
“I knew that if I wrestled like I knew I could and did not make any mistakes, I could win,” Barsuch said. “Even though he was a freshman, I was not going to take him lightly.”
Kurzhais came out and took the first shot, but it was Barsuch who immediately countered it, resulting in a takedown and 2-0 lead. Once Barsuch secured the takedown, he went to work, locking up a cradle and strengthening his grip.
“When I got the takedown, I saw the cradle and jumped on it,” Barsuch said. “I took advantage of something he gave me.”
Occhipinti was happy for Barsuch and impressed with his overall performance.
“Andrew dominated and showed that he can be a little more diversified, working different pinning combinations in his matches,” Occhipinti said.
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