SOMERS, N.Y. In his second year on the Somers varsity wrestling team, then eighth-grader Brian Realbuto had established himself as an elite wrestler.
Realbuto won the Section 1 Large School 96-pound championship and was making his first trip to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Wrestling Championships. He recalled his emotions when he walked into Rochesters Blue Cross Arena.
I was really nervous, said Realbuto, who will attend Cornell next year and wrestle. Stepping into the arena with all of those people was quite intimidating. It was really exciting, though and a great experience.
Realbuto, 43-1 this season, will be making his Section 1-record fifth and final appearance at the state championships Friday-Saturday, Feb. 24-25, at the Times Union Center in Albany. He is the No. 1 seed in the 152-pound weight class.
Realbuto, Section 1s winningest wrestler, will be going to a Section 1-standard third state championship and five-time state place finisher. Realbuto won state titles in 2009 and 11 and was a runner-up in 10.
Winning a state title was my goal ever since I started wrestling in kindergarten and it was the best feeling of my life, Realbuto said.
He will be sharing his final state championship with younger brother Dylan, a 2011 state finalist at 96 pounds who earned a wild card in the 113-pound weight class.
I am really excited, said Realbuto of Dylan earning a berth. Last year we were both in the finals and so close to winning together. This year, Im really looking forward to another shot for both of us to win state championships in the same year.
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