BURNT HILLS-BALLSTON LAKE — After last weekend, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake wrestling can call itself Class B champions for the first time in 14 years.
The Spartans had 10 individual finalists and seven champions en route to taking the Section II Division 1 Class 2 (Class B) Tournament at home on February 8, beating out Queensbury 262.5-229.5.
Twelve-year head coach Steve Jones takes a look back at the season thus far heading into this weekend’s Section II Championships at the Civic Center, which goes from February 15-16.
Q. Coach Jones, what does it mean to be able to call yourselves Class B champs for the first time in 14 seasons?
A. It’s outstanding. The kids did a fantastic job and we’re thrilled. It’s something that hasn’t happened in a very long time and it’s a great team to do it.
Q. One of your individual champions, freshman Christian Gramuglia (99 pounds) helped set the tone in finals play by upsetting the previously undefeated Anthony Sgorrano of South Glens Fall. What does Christian bring to the table?
A. Christian’s a hard working kid, a full-timer who wrestles year round. Last year he had a setback with a midseason injury and he battled hard this offseason to get back in top shape and he sacrificed a lot to try and get back down to the 99-pound weight class.
Q. How has the leadership been on the team this season?
A. We have strong leadership on our team and great comradery. The team is just unified—last year and this year especially. The last two years we’ve been through a lot as far as one of our coaches passing. We really came together and fought hard for each other… Seeing tough competition all year round has really brought our team closer together, fighting for each other and working hard to push each other.
Q. You mentioned coach Jeff Blatnick’s passing (October 24, 2012). What is his impact on you and the team?
A. Coach Blatnick was very near to our hearts. He was a special coach to us and I think we had an angel on our shoulder this year and last year and it really means something…He was close to us. I think we grew from that situation into this season.
Q. What did you learn from Blatnick (1984 Olympic Gold Medalist and USA Wrestling Hall of Fame member)?
A. I learned, personally, a great deal from Coach. He was not only a colleague but a great mentor to me and our staff, and he’s been through a lot of things that we never had, as far as wrestling experiences. He would tell us stories about certain things—a lot of guidance on our team…technically and off the mat.
Q. Have you had any main messages to the team of 2013-14?
A. We just have to keep battling. We talk a lot about having a positive, “I don’t care,” attitude where it doesn’t matter who lines up against us. We don’t care who it is. We’re going to go out there and win the match no matter what the caliber of wrestler it is. We just want to focus on our style and attacking and I think that has really paid dividends. We’re just going out there to win.
Q. What wrestler on your team has gone under the radar?
A. This year, going into the season, [senior] Abdellah Campbell was a big unknown. Over the last three or four weeks he has really come through big time. He has just proven himself time and time again that he can be counted on, especially late in the postseason.
Q. What separates this year’s group from others in the pat?
A. The team comradery. Sometimes, on a team, you have a lot of close-knit kids. We’ve had that in the past. This particular group has grown up together through the youth circuit and has gone all over the state together. You know they have each other’s back when the match is on the line and in the practice room helping each other out and they want the best for each other. That team spirit and comradery is special and it doesn’t come around that often.
Q. A final note on this weekend’s upcoming sectional championships?
A. It’s just been a pleasure honoring Coach [Blatnick] with these particular kids. This group is special. I’ve known a lot of these kids since kindergarten and I look forward to practice every day. No matter what’s going on in our personal lives, it’s always fun to get to practice. I’m going to miss some of these guys a little, but I’m sure next year new ones will emerge and step up.
