SARATOGA SPRINGS — Junior Blue Streaks wrestler Dominic Inzana has etched his name in the Saratoga Springs athletics record books with his 158th career win.
Inzana now sits atop the Saratoga Springs all-time wrestlers, tied with Chris Bolduc (2007). Inzana will have plenty of opportunities to break the record this weekend at the Lansingburgh Duals, which start today and continue Saturday.
On Wednesday night, the Blue Streaks fell to visiting Colonie, 54-19, at Saratoga Springs High School, but Inzana pinned Anthony Allen at 1:24 for the milestone-tying win. Competing in the 126 pound weight class for most of the season, Inzana moved down to 120 for the match, where he feels stronger.
“I started off with a quick takedown,” Inzana said. “The kid was real strong, but I ended up getting the pin at a minute or so. I don’t even know what move I actually did. I had a gable (putting the opponent’s arm behind his back) and then I just turned it into something where I put him on his back and then stuck him.”
Now, Inzana’s career record sits at 158-36 to go along with the most pins in school history (114). A two-time state qualifier and school record holder in single season wins (44) and pins (29), Inzana brings with him experience and a well-rounded game.
Q. How does it feel to have your name in the school record books with more than a season left in your high school career?
A. It’s great. I should definitely get 200 wins easily and crush the record, hopefully.
Q. Are there any keys that you would attribute to your high school success?
A. Basically just never stopping wrestling—wrestling all year long, doing as much as you can and staying stronger than the other guys. Work out. Stay healthy. Wrestle.
Q. You’ve been on the team since seventh grade. Can you talk about where you were then compared to where you are now?
A. When I came up in seventh grade it was a scary experience being my first year on varsity. All the older kids and stuff, but I got used to it pretty quick and it was fun coming up through the years and meeting all the kids and everything.
Q. Do you have any major influences on you?
A. My family—my mom (Karen) and my dad (Ron) are my biggest supporters. They’re always there for me. Also, my off-season coaches, who always keep me in shape, and Coach (Kris) West.
Q. This season, is there anything you’ve added to your repertoire?
A. Over the summer I went to Europe to wrestle (with Journeymen national team) in a few tournaments and dual meets and stuff. It definitely helped my style of wrestling a lot. It’s a completely different style. It’s just different over here than it is over there and it made me better in general. It’s funkier. I don’t really know how to explain it. It’s a lot of upper body and a lot of strength. It’s fun.
Q. How would you describe your own style?
A. Pretty strong, flexible and just funky I guess.
Q. What is your biggest strength on the mat this season?
A. In past years, I’ve always been good on my feet, but I’ve had trouble down on the mat. I’ve gotten over all that and got my style nice where I’m good at all the positions with good moves for all of them. For sure I’m (more well-rounded). I’m just older, more mature and I understand the sport better.
Q. Breaking the record is in grasp this weekend (at the Lansingburgh Duals, Friday and Saturday).
A. It’d be great to tie the record and then break it in the same week. I should definitely be able to do it no problem, but it’s just going to be a great experience to break the record as a junior and then still have a full season on my hands to crush it…It’s just been a good overall season for me.
