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SCARSDALE, N.Y. -- D.J. Frederich admitted that his first two years on the Croton varsity wrestling team did not go as well as he would have liked. However, Frederich improved progressively each season before breaking out with an excellent junior year, including placing in the Section 1 Division II Championships.
“Last year was the turning point for me and I came into this season riding high on it,” said Frederich, one of Croton’s senior leaders.
Frederich reached a wrestling milestone Tuesday when he registered his 100th varsity win in Croton’s 40-33 loss to Scarsdale in a non-conference matchup. Frederich decisioned Mike Hodges 10-4 in the 120-pound bout to achieve the century mark.
“I never thought I would get there because my first years were rough,” Frederich said. “I feel great about it.”
Frederich had a severe case of the nerves before stepping in the mat and he received encouraging words from teammate and good friend David Occhipinti.
“David told me to keep my cool and that I shouldn’t worry about it because today was my day,” Frederich said.
Frederich and Hodges were even at 2-2 after two periods. Frederich chose the defensive position to open the third period and escaped 42 seconds in. Hodges answered right back with a takedown, but Frederich reversed him to take a 6-4 lead. Once the match concluded, Frederich walked off the mat and Occhipinti was one of the first to congratulate him.
“David congratulated me,” Frederich said. “It feels great. Now I can’t wait for sectionals to come around.”
Scarsdale 40, Croton 33
170 -- Jack Braun (Sc) pin. Sam Goldsmith, 1:05; 182 -- Jordan Frankenthaler (Sc) pin. Matt Seputro, 2:21; 195 -- Jacob Berkowitz (Sc) won by forfeit; 220 -- Chris Kraft (Cr) won by forfeit; 285 -- Jordan Bambolakis (Sc) won by forfeit; 99 -- Andrew Barsuch (Cr) won by forfeit; 106 -- Robbie Keitz (Sc) dec. Tommy Schultz, 8-3; 113 -- Daniel Kestenbau, (Sc) won by forfeit; 120 -- D.J. Frederich (Cr) dec. Mike Hodges, 10-4; 126 -- David Occhipinti (Cr) pin. Dan Jureller, 4:27; 132 -- Dan Guido (Cr) dec. James Hill, 8-2; 138 -- Joe Koshakow (Sc) dec. J.P. O’Malley, 1-0; 145 -- John Martin (Cr) dec. Adam Meyer, 6-0; 152 -- Andrew Horan (Cr) pin. Chen Shen, 4:23; 160 -- Brian Hackel (Sc) major dec. Eli Greenstein, 9-1.
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