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Despite time not being an ally, the freshman remained poised. He would secure a takedown of Fox Lane’s Ben Ettlinger with 20 seconds remaining to send the match into overtime.
Santoro carried the momentum into the extra session and would get the decisive takedown for a 7-5 victory at New Rochelle High School.
Sam Melikian won the 132-pound title as Fordham Prep had its best finish ever at Shoreline, third, behind champion Commack and runner-up Lindenhurst.
“I knew that I could do it as long as you have heart,” said Santoro, a Valhalla resident.
Ettlinger took a shot on Santoro, but he pushed the Fox Lane wrestler aside and took him down to even the score at 5-5 and force overtime.
“That made me feel confident going into overtime,” Santoro said. “I felt that if I could push the pace in overtime, maybe I could get the takedown.”
Santoro went into the match knowing Ettlinger very well. The two were partners at the Iowa School of Wrestling for a year, Santoro said. And even though the wrestlers knew each other very well, Santoro said he did not alter his style. He said he went in and wrestled his hardest.
This was Santoro’s first tournament title. The freshman, whose only loss is to Commack’s Mike D’Angelo, was pleased with the win.
“It feels awesome, especially having a comeback and winning the match in overtime,” Santoro said.
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