By ANDREA GALLUCCI
The Press-News
COLUMBUS--With much to be proud of, Sandy Valley Coach John Groff was relieved to break the curse of five years without a state qualifier by sending two to Columbus this past weekend: senior Billy Natale and freshman Sam Groff.
Groff finished his freshman year with a 39-9 record. In his second match in Columbus, he beat Phil Wellington of Cleveland St. Joseph by 3-1 score. The only matches he dropped in the tournament were to fourth-place finisher Xavier Dye of Hamler Patrick Henry and eighth- place finisher Nick Zele of Kirtland. Groff was the only freshman in the 171 weight pound bracket.
Natale finished his senior year with a 42-6 record. His first match was taken by Josh Goebel, fifth-place state finisher of Edgerton. He then fell to JC Giffin of Fairport Harding. Natale wrestled in the 140 weight pound class.
Coach John Groff claims, "It feels great to break the streak of not getting to state."
He continues with excitement for next season, "We have a group of underclassmen that are hopefully getting their priorities in line."
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