NEW YORK STATE WRESTLING: OWEGO'S BUNDY PREVAILS IN OT (2020-02-28)
BY TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
ALBANY — Owego's Cam Bundy came up one win shy of reaching the podium at the NYSPHSAA Division II Wrestling Championships a year ago. Not this time.
When the chips were down, the third-seeded junior battled back at the Times Union Center here Friday, winning a hard-fought 4-3 overtime decision against 6th-seeded Tyler Tupper from Gouverneur. That victory guaranteed Bundy a spot on the podium.
Tupper worked a 2-0 lead midway through the first period by taking away Bundy's leg attacks and being aggressive.
Bundy would score an escape with 12 seconds remaining in the period, but gave up an escape to Tupper 15 seconds into the second period to fall behind, 3-1.
However, Bundy wasted no time evening things up in the third period, notching a reversal just 18 seconds into the period.
Tupper also received a crucial stalling warning and the the pair headed into the third period deadlocked at 3-3.
In OT, Bundy continued his aggressive attack-style offense and Tupper went on the defensive, backing off the mat twice. The second time cost him a penalty point and the match.
"That's what we practice for," said Owego coach Nick Rodgers. "We practice those scenarios on a daily basis. Down a few points, what's your go-to move. How are you going to do it. How are you going to get the job done? He did exactly that, went right after it, got the stall call, kept the pressure on. The kid was dead in the third period and he just kept going, kept the pressure forward and got the call. It was the right call too."
Bundy's semifinal opponent is Matt Campo of Mt. Sinai, who he lost to two months ago, but Rodgers is confident his wrestler has what it takes to win.
"He's just got to keep the pressure on," he said. "He's confident. The coaching staff is confident that he can beat anyone in this tournament if he stays aggressive. He lost to him 6-0 in the Windsor tournament. We weren't wrestling the greatest at that point in the season, but we're hitting on all cylinders now, so I think we can give him a good run for his money."
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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR
