Gissendaner wins NYS Championship

Gissendaner wins NYS Championship

Niagara County Community College sophomore Frankie Gissendaner became the fourth state champion in school history after taking first place in the 149-pound bracket of the annual New York State Collegiate Championships this past Sunday at SUNY Oswego. Previous state champs from NCCC were: Justin James, Troy Keller and Freddy Eckles. 

Gissendaner went 5-0 in the tournament, picking up three victories via pinfall along the way. In the championship tilt, Gissendaner decisioned Tyler Brazinski of SUNY Oneonta, 10-6. Gissendaner is now 18-0 on the season.

The Thunderwolves also had a pair of runner-up finishers in sophomore Jordan Bushey (184) and freshman Devin Van Lengen (197). Bushey dropped a tight sudden-death match in the finals after earning two major decisions and a pin. Van Lengen was decisioned in the title match following two wins by pin and a major decision.

Also for NCCC, which finished fifth in the team scoring with 97.0 points, sophomore Jacob Bell was fourth at 133, freshman Mason Gray was seventh at 149 and sophomore Kiar Parker was fifth at 197.

Next up for the nationally-ranked T-Wolves is their annual home meets - Niagara CCC Duals (Dec. 6) and Thunderwolves Open (Dec. 7).